14k Equalizer Hitch-Max TW when not using the bars?
I occasionally tow another trailer with my equalizer hitch but I do not use the weight distribution bars when towing it. Is the max tongue weight still 1400 pounds if you're not using the bars?
Forum Discussion
JBarca wrote:CEddy wrote:
I used my old Equal-i-zer head in weight-carrying mode to pull a loaded car trailer once. The effect I noticed after is that it distorted the small bolt at the bottom of the hitch head that tensions the head against the shank.
When using it in weight-distributing mode the moment applied to the head is opposite and no forces are applied to that little bolt.
Good point!! That is a difference between the Reese and the Equal-I-zer is the lower pivot set set screw. This would hold true on most any WD head that uses the washer tilt method with the set screw to hold and lock the head during setup. If the TW is high enough it may overcome the friction hold of the head to shank bolts and start working on the set screw. That and a few impact bumps may do it. The high clamp friciton from the head bolts may help hold some of it, but may not all of it. Do you know if your head bolts were torqued to spec?
Like this one which is a generic round bar head.
Thanks
John
Don't know if they were torqued to spec, but they were torqued as high as I could get them by hand using a 1/2" breaker bar. Even then, the torque did not squeeze the 'clevis' on the head down to create friction on the shank. I'd have to go out and check my newer one, but I believe it fits tighter.
