Equalizer L Pins bent? Rivet washer size?

[TheGrouch]

As part of recent TT purchase, dealer included used Equalizer 12000/1200 hitch. This is my first experience with a WDH, so looking for some input from other Equalizer users.

1. What is the size and material of the rivet washers? I need more tilt to improve weight transfer, but dealer didn't provide any extra washers. Hitch is currently in storage or I'd just take one to the hardware store.

2. Does this look bad? Of course Equalizer's photos show a better fit than this, but how about real users? Just wondering if these pins get pushed around enough to bend the pins and/or wallow out the holes.

EDIT: Not sure I can link to a photo on Google Drive.


Thanks,

[bmet2000]

Did your new L retainers come with the pins (clips) attached? My new ones are like that and they are a breeze to use. Just flip the clip and you are done.

[TheGrouch]

Yeah, the bars/pins/brackets are used. The head is new.

I ordered new L pins and a set of washers from equalizer.

[Fordlover]

Is that equal-i-zer used? it looks more beat up than mine, and mine is about 9 years old with 30K miles on it.

But that is about how mine looks hooked up. I had to add an extra washer, but don't remember the size.

You can contact the equalizer people, and send them pictures. They are very helpful and have great customer service.

[aftermath]

I have had two different Equalizer hitches on two different trailers. Both of them look much like yours do. I don't think you have a problem.

That said, when I bought the Airstream the L pins were really bent. Scary bent actually. When I looked at the mounting directions downloaded from the Equalizer web page I noticed that the PO had located the L brackets in the wrong position. I can't remember if they were too close to the ball or too far away but they were not right. I adjusted the L brackets and purchased new L pins from equalizer. We have gone almost 30K miles and everything looks and behaves well. So, I am not sure if the problem was the location of the brackets or the actual pins but everything is good to go now.

Get new pins and take a look at the location of the brackets.

[Blazing_Zippers]

Our Equalizer bars look just like your pics when we're hooked up.
Their website has useful info about setting up you rig. We bought our trailer used and it was set up for a totally different tow configuration, and I used the website for reference.
Now, 18,000 miles later, the hitch still works O.K.

[Learjet]

I was told by the tech rep, when I had my equal-i-zer, as long as the pins don't slide down the side of the bar...it is OK. Many Many miles like that.

[BarneyS]

To post pictures on the forums:
Go here to post your pictures.
It makes it very simple.
1. Upload picture from your computer or other source.
2. Copy resulting URL
3. Paste URL into your post with no modifications.
Your picture will appear and be properly sized for our forum.

Here are the two pictures you tried to post in the opening post.
Barney

[TheGrouch]

^^^^ That's pretty slick. Thanks for the idea.

[LarryJM]

After only about a year of using my Equal-i-zer the "L" pins didn't fit well into the hole in the "L" bracket so I made some shims out of stainless steel flat stock that keeps the "L" pins more vertical and prevents any more wallowing out of the hole in the "L" brackets. Now after 6 years of use they are still working like the day I first used them. Below are the pics of my shims with the retaining chain and the clip for the "L" pins so I don't loose these extra parts.

Shims, retaining chain, "L" pin snap clip:



Shims installed:



Just another one of those little mods to make things work the way I THINK they should work to begin with. Probably 50% of what I buy I can find a way to make it a little better and enjoy improving things to where I think they work better at least for me.

Larry

[owenssailor]

If the holes in the L bracket are very worn it would be worth getting new ones. Also I highly recommend the new style pins from Equal-i-Zer.

A call to them about any wear on the brackets would be worth the time. They are very helpful.

[TheGrouch]

Here's another angle.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B3Xm1N0ERceORmt6SlFpYTVuUU0

[Nunyadamn]

That doesn't look like mine. My pins are much more straight. Those don't even look like the original pins. I wonder if someone lost the original ones and either made some or bought some cheap ones. The pin, just from looking at the pictures and making a guess, don't look like they fit the holes in the L-brackets. Can you tell if the L-brackets are hollowed out or if the pins are bent? The pictures make it look like they are bent.

[RinconVTR]

The head washers are standard 1/2" (thick style) washers, some like an over sized OD. And I tend to prefer Grade 8 versions that resist compressive force a little better. You can also use the standard thickness 1/2" washers for fine tuning, but that's like splitting hairs.

Your picture looks fine. The brackets are still in the L shape form. Its the L shape locking pins that are tilting from worn square holes in the bracket, but that is acceptable.

If it worries you, buy a set of new brackets. They are not high dollar to replace.

[TheGrouch]

As part of recent TT purchase, dealer included used Equalizer 12000/1200 hitch. This is my first experience with a WDH, so looking for some input from other Equalizer users.

1. What is the size and material of the rivet washers? I need more tilt to improve weight transfer, but dealer didn't provide any extra washers. Hitch is currently in storage or I'd just take one to the hardware store.

2. Does this look bad? Of course Equalizer's photos show a better fit than this, but how about real users? Just wondering if these pins get pushed around enough to bend the pins and/or wallow out the holes.

EDIT: Not sure I can link to a photo on Google Drive.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B3Xm1N0ERceORmt6SlFpYTVuUU0


Thanks,