Forum Discussion

shades9323's avatar
shades9323
Explorer
Jun 25, 2018

Picking up a used TT with equalizer (not mine) what to know?

I am going to check out a Rockwood 2306 tomorrow evening and will probably come home with it. It comes with an equalizer hitch. It looks like it was set up for a Ford suv (probably Explorer) which would have the hitch way lower than my Ram 1500 outdoorsman. I live about 90 miles away on mostly expressway. Will I be able to get this TT home tomorrow or should I take it to a dealership close by (the sale) and have them set the hitch for me? I'd just tow it with my current hitch but would be worried about sway.
  • ROBERTSUNRUS's avatar
    ROBERTSUNRUS
    Explorer
    Jun 25, 2018
    :) Hi, have the hitch adjusted or a new shank. High in front with a 90 mile freeway trip could be very dangerous.
  • APT's avatar
    APT
    Explorer
    Jun 25, 2018
    I highly recommend just learning how to adjust it on your own and doing so at time of sale. It will likely need to be adjusted again after you load up with seasonal belongings. The previous owner may be willing to help.
  • shades9323's avatar
    shades9323
    Explorer
    Jun 25, 2018
    APT wrote:
    I highly recommend just learning how to adjust it on your own and doing so at time of sale. It will likely need to be adjusted again after you load up with seasonal belongings. The previous owner may be willing to help.


    I will learn how to do it at some point. The problem is that I am going to see it/buy it tonight after work. I don't know if there will be level ground available and won't really have the time to do it tonight. That is a no go on the previous owner. :) He is 70 with a bad back. But maybe he does have a socket I can use to change out the shank with the one I am currently using! I don't actually need the WD, just the sway control to get it home.
  • Lynnmor's avatar
    Lynnmor
    Explorer
    Jun 25, 2018
    You only need sway control if the tongue weight is too light. Looking at the specs, I would drop it on the ball and go home.
  • shades9323's avatar
    shades9323
    Explorer
    Jun 25, 2018
    Lynnmor wrote:
    You only need sway control if the tongue weight is too light. Looking at the specs, I would drop it on the ball and go home.


    It is a 2012. Look like the dry weight (listed online) is somewhere between 3400-3600lbs and the hitch weight is about 318 lbs + 60lbs for batteries? and 50 lbs for 2 mostly filled propane tanks? So 428/3500 = 12.2% tongue weight? Is that alright?

    TV is a 2014 Ram 1500 Crew Cab Outdoorsman with the 6.4' bed.
  • handye9's avatar
    handye9
    Explorer II
    Jun 25, 2018
    ROBERTSUNRUS wrote:
    :) Hi, have the hitch adjusted or a new shank. High in front with a 90 mile freeway trip could be very dangerous.


    DITTO !!!


    O/P -- Your tongue weight percentage appears to be fine, however, when you look at the most common causes of trailer sway, insufficient tongue weight is just one of the causes. Nose up towing is another.

    Do you know if the drop is adjustable on the hitch shank?

    If not, is it possible, you could get one and take it with you?


    Maybe, all you need to do is bring tools to adjust the height of the hitch head.
  • shades9323's avatar
    shades9323
    Explorer
    Jun 25, 2018
    handye9 wrote:
    ROBERTSUNRUS wrote:
    :) Hi, have the hitch adjusted or a new shank. High in front with a 90 mile freeway trip could be very dangerous.


    DITTO !!!


    O/P -- Your tongue weight percentage appears to be fine, however, when you look at the most common causes of trailer sway, insufficient tongue weight is just one of the causes. Nose up towing is another.

    Do you know if the drop is adjustable on the hitch shank?

    If not, is it possible, you could get one and take it with you?


    Maybe, all you need to do is bring tools to adjust the height of the hitch head.


    I don't think it can go down any further. I do have another shank with a hitch head currently on it, but I don't have the tools right now. Should probably pick those up! Are all the nuts/bolts 1-1/8"?

    I have one socket that would fit. Do you think I could use a plumbing wrench on the other side?
  • Lynnmor's avatar
    Lynnmor
    Explorer
    Jun 25, 2018
    shades9323 wrote:
    Lynnmor wrote:
    You only need sway control if the tongue weight is too light. Looking at the specs, I would drop it on the ball and go home.


    It is a 2012. Look like the dry weight (listed online) is somewhere between 3400-3600lbs and the hitch weight is about 318 lbs + 60lbs for batteries? and 50 lbs for 2 mostly filled propane tanks? So 428/3500 = 12.2% tongue weight? Is that alright?

    TV is a 2014 Ram 1500 Crew Cab Outdoorsman with the 6.4' bed.


    You should be good to go, the usual guideline is 10% to 15% and you are in the middle. If you add anything, put it towards the front just to be sure.
  • Timtation's avatar
    Timtation
    Explorer
    Jun 25, 2018
    Use the plumbing wrench on the bolt head and hope the nut is 1 1/8" or pick up a set of Chinese sockets for cheap.
  • bartlettj's avatar
    bartlettj
    Explorer
    Jun 26, 2018
    I carry a set of Harbor Freight 4wd axle nut sockets with me and a 1/2 breaker bar. This covers my hitch shank, ball, and trailer wheel bearing spindle nuts. You may need a smaller wrench for the head tilt adjuster.

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