I noticed that the washers on my equalizer hitch were no longer tight, there was lots of space between the washers, is this normal ? Are the washers and the rivet only tight when connected to the trailer and the bars engaged ? I also noticed that the set screw on the bottom of the hitch was only hand tight, again does this get tightened with bars connected and trailer hooked up, or without all of that hooked up ? I referred to the instructions i received with my hitch, and they dont specify. My hitch is a DSP. thanks in advance.Michael

That set screw on the back side of the hitch head will tend to loosen over time. Just tighten it up. You'll need to loosen the large nuts on the side so the hitch head can move and tighten up the washers when you tighten the set screw. If I recall, it's a 5/8" wrench.

The bolt on the bottom should be tight enough to get the washers tight. If not the hitch itself will have a lot of movement and play in the bolts that go through the hitch. Once you tighten the lower bolt all should be good.

Hey thanks for the replies guys! I leave first thing in the morning so i need to get this all done tonight asap. So just to clarifity i loosen both bolts that go through hitch, lift hitch head up to tighten the rivet and washers, tighten set screw, then tighten and torque the 2 bolts through the hitch ?

Yes, except you don't need to lift the hitch head up; tightening the bolt at the bottom will do that for you.Have fun on your trip!

michaelman501 wrote:Hey thanks for the replies guys! I leave first thing in the morning so i need to get this all done tonight asap. So just to clarifity i loosen both bolts that go through hitch, lift hitch head up to tighten the rivet and washers, tighten set screw, then tighten and torque the 2 bolts through the hitch ?Correct, but make sure you torque the BIG bolts to the proper torque.

Rivet and washers on Equalizer hitch | Good Sam Community

michaelman501
Explorer
Jun 25, 2015
Hey thanks all for the help, i will make sure i torque them to 250 ft/lbs as per the manufacture, it all makes sense now. The help is much appreciated.

Michael
Ron3rd
Explorer III
Jun 25, 2015
michaelman501 wrote:
Hey thanks for the replies guys! I leave first thing in the morning so i need to get this all done tonight asap. So just to clarifity i loosen both bolts that go through hitch, lift hitch head up to tighten the rivet and washers, tighten set screw, then tighten and torque the 2 bolts through the hitch ?

Correct, but make sure you torque the BIG bolts to the proper torque.
jasoncw
Explorer
Jun 25, 2015
Yes, except you don't need to lift the hitch head up; tightening the bolt at the bottom will do that for you.

Have fun on your trip!
michaelman501
Explorer
Jun 25, 2015
Hey thanks for the replies guys! I leave first thing in the morning so i need to get this all done tonight asap. So just to clarifity i loosen both bolts that go through hitch, lift hitch head up to tighten the rivet and washers, tighten set screw, then tighten and torque the 2 bolts through the hitch ?
GaryWT
Explorer
Jun 25, 2015
The bolt on the bottom should be tight enough to get the washers tight. If not the hitch itself will have a lot of movement and play in the bolts that go through the hitch. Once you tighten the lower bolt all should be good.
Ron3rd
Explorer III
Jun 25, 2015
That set screw on the back side of the hitch head will tend to loosen over time. Just tighten it up. You'll need to loosen the large nuts on the side so the hitch head can move and tighten up the washers when you tighten the set screw. If I recall, it's a 5/8" wrench.

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Rivet and washers on Equalizer hitch

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