Equal-i-zer lubrication

SoundGuy wrote:

Hondavalk wrote:
Looks like a Bingo to me. From the manual:
"In some cases the friction on the L-brackets can generate noise. Lubricating this joint is not recommended."

L bracket sway jackets are the company's response to excessive noise, particularly during low speed turns, and as such acts as a "lubricant". The point is rather moot anyway as the company itself says on it's own website -

"Use of the Sway Bracket Jackets does slightly reduce the amount of friction sway control provided by the L-bracket assemblies. However, this reduction is minimal, and in most applications barely noticeable because the majority of the Original Equalizer Hitch’s integrated sway control comes from the rotational friction surfaces of the spring arm sockets in the hitch head. This sway control is not affected at all by the use of the Sway Bracket Jackets. The L-brackets will still provide a certain measure of sway dampening friction."

In other words lubricating the L brackets will have little effect on reducing sway control. I myself for years used a dry film spray lubricant on my own Equal-i-zer, sockets and L brackets, with great results - significant reduction noise, no noticeable reduction of sway control because most of it occurs at the head sockets. :B

"Use of the Sway Bracket Jackets does slightly reduce the amount of friction sway control provided by the L-bracket assemblies. However, this reduction is minimal, and in most applications barely noticeable because the majority of the Original Equalizer Hitch’s integrated sway control comes from the rotational friction surfaces of the spring arm sockets in the hitch head. This sway control is not affected at all by the use of the Sway Bracket Jackets. The L-brackets will still provide a certain measure of sway dampening friction."

My take and what the company is telling us is yes most of the hitch head reduces sway but not all...the other is taken up by the L brackets...That jacket is not lubricant...That jacket does reduce the amount of friction sway control as stated above. They also state they do not recommend to lubricate the joint.

So the hitch is noisy to do its job. People complained about the noise. The company then creates this jacket to quiet it down to keep sales up admitting it does lessen the control of sway.

I as an owner will never use the jacket nor lubricate the L brackets as per manufacturers recommendation as that is not the initial way it was engineered in its entirety to control sway...

What am I getting from this thread is that there is no One Answer to rule them all.

Hondavalk wrote:
Looks like a Bingo to me. From the manual:
"In some cases the friction on the L-brackets can generate noise. Lubricating this joint is not recommended."

L bracket sway jackets are the company's response to excessive noise, particularly during low speed turns, and as such acts as a "lubricant". The point is rather moot anyway as the company itself says on it's own website -

"Use of the Sway Bracket Jackets does slightly reduce the amount of friction sway control provided by the L-bracket assemblies. However, this reduction is minimal, and in most applications barely noticeable because the majority of the Original Equalizer Hitch’s integrated sway control comes from the rotational friction surfaces of the spring arm sockets in the hitch head. This sway control is not affected at all by the use of the Sway Bracket Jackets. The L-brackets will still provide a certain measure of sway dampening friction."

In other words lubricating the L brackets will have little effect on reducing sway control. I myself for years used a dry film spray lubricant on my own Equal-i-zer, sockets and L brackets, with great results - significant reduction noise, no noticeable reduction of sway control because most of it occurs at the head sockets. :B

I lubricate the head sockets only, not the L brackets. I have the pads for the noise. I did not completely follow the instructions as I added an extra 8th washer to tilt the head more and Equalizer recommends seven total. BTW, I got the washers at Ace hardware and they have been in place for two years. I am very happy with how the hitch works. DOUBLE BINGO

I get news letters from Equalizer and the last one talked about lubricating the Equalizer hitch and bars. I’ve been doing it for years and using white lithium grease.

I run with my L brackets dry to. I thought about ordering the pads but I never did. The noise don't bother me that much. I use bearing grease on the hitch head.

Maybe you'll get lucky and the additional slide jacket thickness will add enough added pressure to adjust the hitch.
If the shop won't give you some of the spacers just go to Home Depot or Lowes and buy some grade 8 washers. You typically have to look in the specialty fasteners drawers to find these. True the washers are larger in diameter than the spacers, but that's only a cosmetic issue.

I had read the manual, but I apparently had not seen the bit about "Sway Bracket Jackets." I ordered some last night and they are out for delivery from Amazon now. I'm at work at the moment... and I brought my trailer here so I could play while at work. I'll put the "jackets" on tonight. I have to take the trailer to the dealer I bought it all from in the morning for them to adjust the hitch... not enough weight distribution and for whatever reason, they did not give ME the extra spacer washers. I find it odd that they are an authorized Equal-i-zer dealer yet they don't carry any of their products other than the hitch, nor did they actually follow through with the proper adjustments prior to me driving off. I've been doing as much reading as possible during the past week about my hitch and other aspects of my new trailer.

The CDC’s recommendations for healthy living are very seldom followed. That Equalizer does not recommend lubing the L brackets is way down the list for me. Jayco doesn’t recommend carrying two spare tires but I do.

Hondavalk wrote:
Looks like a Bingo to me. From the manual:
"In some cases the friction on the L-brackets can generate noise. Lubricating this joint is not recommended."

Since they sell slippery pads for the L brackets, I would say that satisfies the "lubricate" function. I believe the only reason they don't recommend that they get lubricated is because it would create a HUGE mess.

My Equal-I-zer hitch has kept my trailer rock solid stable behind my tow vehicle for 15 years with pads on the L brackets and grease on the hitch head.