Equal-i-zer hitch ... is this normal?

[DutchmenSport]

Noticed on this trip that my Equal-i-zer hitch is making a lot of groaning and popping noises. I purchased the hitch system this last April and never noticed noise until this trip. The ball has grease, I'm pretty sure the groaning is from the bars sliding back and forth on the L support they rest on. The paint is now rubbed off where they move back and forth. Of course the groaning occurs only when turning.

At first I thought, the spot where the bars and and the L touch to put sone grease there. I'm pretty sure that would take care of the noise. But if I do that it will reduce the friction which will make the anti-sway from being effective.

So my question is, for you Equal-i-zerr users, is this common, normal for all the noise when turning. If so, I can live with that, because I do know where it's coming from. But if there is a way to quiet it down, what do you do (and still retain the integrity of the anti-sway friction feature.)

Suggestions, comments appreciated. AND NO I am not purchasing a different hitch system. This one works VERY well. I just don't know about the noise if this is normal.

[lbrjet]

I clean and then lube the top and bottom and the hitch head sockets every few hundred miles and rarely have any noise. These areas are supposed to be kept lubed according to the manual.

[Ron3rd]

Yes, it can be a noisy hitch due to the way the friction surfaces work. The tips above can reduce it greatly.

[DutchmenSport]

Thanks everyone! I am relieved that this is normal. I have an appointment with my dealer on July 8 for an 11 month followup inspection of our trailer. They are the ones that I bought the hitch from last April when we got the new truck. When there, I ask them about the Bracket Jackets. (I just told my wife about the Bracket Jacket and she just said, whatever it takes, she doesn't care what it cost, we're getting it!)

Thanks everyone. I'll put a follow up post on here next week and report the results. Meanwhile, we're enjoying our time at Oubache State Park right now (Bluffton, Indiana). Boy is it hot! And boy and I glad the air conditioner in our camper is working good!

[bikendan]

they are called "Bracket Jackets" and are available at any place that sells the Equal-i-zer WDH's, like RVW.

[sfd4sew]

I purchased the jackets and they work out great. For the price, I feel they are well worth it. I have noticed some creaking but nowhere near what it was without them. I also read somewhere that you can grease the bars with no noticable difference in the sway, but I havent tried it myself. Hope this helps

[Dick_B]

Also lube the top and bottom of the rotating part of the head where the bars are inserted. Use heavy duty grease. I use the Red stuff in a gun. I also have the jackets that fit on the L brackets but still have noise. I just ignore it.

[YamaDooed]

I used a dab of grease to quiet the squeak and didn't notice much difference in sway. It really only takes a second to wipe off if you encounter too much sway.

[taddyport]

Dutchman - I have one also that made a lot of noise, I purchased the sway bracket jackets and the longer "L" pins with the spring tab on the bottom, they both helped a lot with the noise. I attached the web address that specifically answers the questions along with providing the link to the components.
hope that helps

http://www.equalizerhitch.com/Equal-i-zer%20Support/faqs.php

[gme3470]

Progressive Mfg, the manufacturer of the Equal-I-zer hitch, has some type of poly plastic tab that goes on the bottom of the "L" bracket that will minimize the noise, We had them on a previous setup and they worked well. It also seems that they endorsed some type of lubricant for the bracket, although as you mentioned it does reduce the friction/sway control.

[dockmasterdave]

I just have a reese wdh, with a friction sway control, but when I added the friction control I thought the same question.
For mine it is normal. From what I understand about the way your hitch works, the noise would also be coming from the friction sway control.
From what I have read, you are correct about not adding grease, as it will destroy the sway control.
I'm sure you will hear from people more qualified than me shortly.

[Sandia_Man]

The noise you speak of is pretty standard as reported by those using the Equal-i-zer WD/SC hitch, greasing where the spring bars lay would decrease anti-sway properties. We use a Reese version of the Equal-I-zer and it to makes a bit of noise while turning or backing up which I deem as normal.