So here's the issue, I've have now replaced my L brackets four times in 5 years because of bending. Before you say it the hitch is setup correctly according to the manufacturers directions. My dealer did the initial installation and I was present they did it.I've been over the instructions and checked everything countless times and everything seems to be correct. Let me add that the hitch is doing it's job well, distributing the weight and controlling sway. No complaints there. Has anyone else had this issue or maybe this is normal? I replaced the brackets in April of this year, towed 1200 miles since and the bars are about 1/8 in. from popping out again.

Never heard of that. I would contact Equalizer (Progressive) and see what they say. Something odd is going on.

What is the measurment from the center of your ball to the center of the L-bracket?

Those aren`t brackets. those are the retaining L-pins! something is making them bend over like that. maybe the bracket on the trailer frame isn`t 90 deg. You can see they are being forced over due to the wear at the end where it drops through the bracket. Can you post a pic of your setup?

OK, I thought you were refering to the L-Brackets on the frame but can see you're talking about the L-Pins. Don't know if it would help, but they make the new style with the captive spring that holds the pin outward. Supposed to be quieter. Still does not explain why yours are bending. Seems like something is binding somehow. The pins just keep the bars from falling off the L-Bracket. I would contact the mfg.I've got the same hitch BTW.

Equalizer L- brackets Bending | Good Sam Community

wandering1
Explorer
Sep 27, 2014
So what did the manufacturer tell you????? They made it why not contact them????
Huntindog
Explorer
Sep 27, 2014
Your pictures indicate inadequate lubrication.
EQUALIZER states that the bar socket hitch head interface is to be greased.

As for the L pins, they will bend like that over time. I consider those a wear item in this design. All hitches do have wear areas. The forces in play are large, and they will wear.

What I would see as an improvement would be an L bracket that had two square holes. One below, the bar as in the present design' and another one above the bar. This would likely mean a longer pin would be needed.. My armchair engineering tells me that this would make the pin bending much less likely.

I could probably make something like that with a couple of sets of L brackets, a cutoff wheel and a welder. Not willing to spend the money on the parts for this experiment, but if anyone wanted to donate some old parts, I would give it a whirl.
demiles wrote:
here's the gouging on the head. It's been cleaned up and all the high spots filed down. It was bad.
aftermath
Explorer III
Sep 22, 2014
I towed a lighter hybrid and used an Equalizer. Had it about 3 years and never had anything bend on it.

Purchased my current trailer used from a guy who had it for 3 years. The L pins were as pictured and the head had some visible grooves worn into it. When I got it home I read through the directions and reset the hitch. The L brackets were not at the suggested location on the frame. I can't remember if they were too close or too far but they were not where they were supposed to be.

I readjusted the L bars and cleaned all the surfaces. I also added some light lubrication to the hitch head and the L bars. I know this sounds counter intuitive but the manufacturer has stated that this is acceptable.

I still get some popping and creaking but not like before AND the L pins are not bent.

Someone earlier mentioned the position of the L brackets and I don't think anyone responded. You might want to look at this first, then add a little grease and see what happens.
AH64ID
Explorer
Sep 19, 2014
dodge guy wrote:
Ok. But either way in a slight turn the sockets will do no amount of sway control! Despite what the EQ "engineers" state the sockets in the hitch head cannot offer any type of measurable sway control! The physics of how it operates can tell you that!

The physics of it disagree with you. From a static point it takes more torque to get it moving than once it's already moving.

Once moving the friction is the same in a big turn or little turn. It's true the faster the bar moves the more friction takes an effect, but if your turning that fast at highway speeds you aren't turning you are crashing.

In a swaying motion it has to stop moving to change directions, again increasing the torque requirement.

Small movements do have effect on sway control.

I am not sure why you think otherwise.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Sep 19, 2014
Done being off topic, we shouldn't have hijacked this thread! This post is about the L pins. And with that there is an issue somewhere!

Back on topic!
BenK
Explorer
Sep 19, 2014
Barney...Thanks !
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Sep 19, 2014
Ok. But either way in a slight turn the sockets will do no amount of sway control! Despite what the EQ "engineers" state the sockets in the hitch head cannot offer any type of measurable sway control! The physics of how it operates can tell you that!
BarneyS
Explorer III
Sep 19, 2014
dodge guy wrote:
Ron Gratz wrote:
dodge guy wrote:
Set up a camera to video the hitch head and do some light side-side turns. those sockets will not move relative to the trailer.---
That's correct -- the sockets do not move relative to the trailer. And, they're not supposed to.

But, the sockets do rotate relative to the hitch head -- as they're designed to do.

Ron

???:h

As usual, Ron is being very precise and picky in his answer.

All he is saying is that the sockets are in a fixed position in relation to the trailer A frame. If the trailer rotates, the sockets and bars follow right along and remain in their same relative positions - hence they do not move. :)

However, their relative position changes in regards to the sockets hitch head position. The sockets rotate in the hitch head so their relative position changes.

Had you said those sockets will not move relative to the hitch head instead of relative to the trailer I don't think you would have gotten any argument from Ron on the semantics although you might have gotten an argument on the operation. :B
Barney
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Sep 19, 2014
Ron Gratz wrote:
dodge guy wrote:
Set up a camera to video the hitch head and do some light side-side turns. those sockets will not move relative to the trailer.---
That's correct -- the sockets do not move relative to the trailer. And, they're not supposed to.

But, the sockets do rotate relative to the hitch head -- as they're designed to do.

Ron

???:h
Ron3rd
Explorer III
Sep 18, 2014
ReferDog wrote:
What do the new pins have to do with the problem. Same pin new clip.

Don't know if it has anything to do with this problem, but the clips on the new pins hold the pin out at an angle, supposedly to reduce noise. I switched over to them a while back, just because I like the convenience, and no separate clip to walk away. Made no difference in noise IMO. They also offer a similar concept for the small pins that hold the bars to the head. The captive clips eliminate the little hairpin clips. Nice idea. I bought both and kept the originals for spares.

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