Read your hitch manual...

[Farm_Camp]

Ask me how I learned this... 🙂

Ok, I'll just go ahead and tell you.

On my last trip out I noticed that my hitch seemed to be acting a bit squirrly. Not too bad but I seemed to be getting pushed around more than I remembered from last season.

We were just getting ready to leave out on a 2500 mile trip and the hitch performance was buggin me. So I did the unthinkable! I broke out the hitch manual and read it... Paid special attention to the adjusting and maintaining section. Sure enough, I discovered that I had been neglecting to check the tightness of one little set screw. It's fairly hidden below the ball and out of sight.

Tightened that baby up according to the instructions... I swear I have a whole new hitch and towing experience. Amazing the difference a 5/8 wrench, 15 seconds, and a little turn or two will do for you!

Lesson learned, thankfully before I broke anything.

[campigloo]

At least you tried everything else first. That means you get to keep your man card!

[Farm_Camp]

Full disclosure: I googled my hitch and downloaded the manual from the manufacturer. :). Google is you friend.

[Oaklevel]

Wow there is a manual to hitches?? I have never had a manual......... I guess I have never bought a hitch new though..........

[Ron3rd]

opnspaces wrote:

Farm Camp wrote:
Ask me how I learned this... 🙂

Ok, I'll just go ahead and tell you.

On my last trip out I noticed that my hitch seemed to be acting a bit squirrly. Not too bad but I seemed to be getting pushed around more than I remembered from last season.

We were just getting ready to leave out on a 2500 mile trip and the hitch performance was buggin me. So I did the unthinkable! I broke out the hitch manual and read it... Paid special attention to the adjusting and maintaining section. Sure enough, I discovered that I had been neglecting to check the tightness of one little set screw. It's fairly hidden below the ball and out of sight.

Tightened that baby up according to the instructions... I swear I have a whole new hitch and towing experience. Amazing the difference a 5/8 wrench, 15 seconds, and a little turn or two will do for you!

Lesson learned, thankfully before I broke anything.

Single set screw and 5/8 inch wrench, I'm betting it's an equal-i-zer hitch.

EQ owner here and my old EZ Lift hitch had the same bolt underneath as does the EQ. They loosen up all the time and will bend the big through bolts in the hitch head. Good to it from time to time.

[nadkaw1957]

I'm wondering how you all got a manual for your hitch... :h :B

[Farm_Camp]

opnspaces wrote:

Farm Camp wrote:
Ask me how I learned this... 🙂

Ok, I'll just go ahead and tell you.

On my last trip out I noticed that my hitch seemed to be acting a bit squirrly. Not too bad but I seemed to be getting pushed around more than I remembered from last season.

We were just getting ready to leave out on a 2500 mile trip and the hitch performance was buggin me. So I did the unthinkable! I broke out the hitch manual and read it... Paid special attention to the adjusting and maintaining section. Sure enough, I discovered that I had been neglecting to check the tightness of one little set screw. It's fairly hidden below the ball and out of sight.

Tightened that baby up according to the instructions... I swear I have a whole new hitch and towing experience. Amazing the difference a 5/8 wrench, 15 seconds, and a little turn or two will do for you!

Lesson learned, thankfully before I broke anything.

Single set screw and 5/8 inch wrench, I'm betting it's an equal-i-zer hitch.

You guessed correctly! Sets the spacer/washers for the ball angle alignment firmly against the shank, and if it comes loose the whole shebang can move around and (I know now) makes the ride a lot less stable. Need to check it every 100 miles or so during "break in" and beginning of your trips afterwords. Makes for a much improved ride I can tell you.

[opnspaces]

Farm Camp wrote:
Ask me how I learned this... 🙂

Ok, I'll just go ahead and tell you.

On my last trip out I noticed that my hitch seemed to be acting a bit squirrly. Not too bad but I seemed to be getting pushed around more than I remembered from last season.

We were just getting ready to leave out on a 2500 mile trip and the hitch performance was buggin me. So I did the unthinkable! I broke out the hitch manual and read it... Paid special attention to the adjusting and maintaining section. Sure enough, I discovered that I had been neglecting to check the tightness of one little set screw. It's fairly hidden below the ball and out of sight.

Tightened that baby up according to the instructions... I swear I have a whole new hitch and towing experience. Amazing the difference a 5/8 wrench, 15 seconds, and a little turn or two will do for you!

Lesson learned, thankfully before I broke anything.

Single set screw and 5/8 inch wrench, I'm betting it's an equal-i-zer hitch.

[Houston_Remodel]

On the way home from camp today we passed av RV on the side of the road where the driver was reading the manual. We talked about swinging around to take a picture.....

[Oasisbob]

Hmmm. I think I used that manual to start a camp fire. LOL

[mowermech]

"When all else fails, read (and follow) the instructions!"
It has been proven true time and again.
Thank you for another verification.