Forum Discussion

Mister_Big's avatar
Mister_Big
Explorer
Jun 10, 2014

Fine tuning Equilizer hitch

I am in the process of fine tuning my equalizer.I found after you get it close the last adjustment will come on how it feels when you are towing. I towed my trailer last week to a campground an hour away. The truck and the trailer felt good. I found the steering felt easy and I had to pay attention and keep two hands on the wheel all the time to keep ahead of any sway. After the trip I added another factory washer.It was to much of an adjustment. I could tell because the steering was a little to hard. The bars were making to much noise, not just on backing. There was noise on making regular slow speed turns. I decided to try adding a fender washer with is about half the thickness of a factory washer. I did have to modify it. I had to make the inner hole bigger with a step bit. I installed it in between the factory washers. ( I have 5 factory washers installed) I test drove the rig and I think I have it adjusted properly. The steering was a little tighter and I could drive with one hand if necessary. It also felt better at 65 miles an hour. There is a big difference between a factory washer and a fender washer adjustment. The factory told me a one hole adjustment on the L brackets is about the equivalent to a two washer adjustment. My measurements on front fender is as follows, uncoupled 35",coupled no WD 35 3/4",coupled with WD attached 35 5/16. I have a 2004 GMC Yukon towing a Skyline Koala 26SS. I tow in 3rd gear with my tow haul on.
  • Ron3rd's avatar
    Ron3rd
    Explorer III
    Sounds like you have it pretty well dialed in if it handles well. You're measurements are fine IMO. As to the noise, yes, it can be a very noisy hitch. You can grease the l-brackets and go with the new style pins; I've done both and that quiets things down considerably.
  • Never thought of using a fender washer to see if I could get it that dialed in. The difference of mine is a 1" front and rear of my trailer (33' apart-and front being lower) and my truck is 1/2" (front being higher). Feels good when towing, a lot better than the other hitch I was using.
  • Is the fender washer hardened? If no then the force of the bars will actually squash a regular washer. This is per Equalizer.
  • The fender washer is not hardened. I put it in the middle of the factory washers. I will keep an eye on it and research hardened fender washers. Thanks for the info.
  • Your goal is to get "coupled with WD attached" = uncoupled 35". You should try to get more tension on the WD bars.
  • I had a similar problem with mine. I moved the WD bars up one notch and it was fine.

    The popping is normal. Put a little WD 40 or other spray lube. I used some Amsoil sticky stuff pretty much took care of it.

    My setup was 1/2" difference between the front and back fender wells.
  • I found out with my Husky 1700lb WDH,(over the course of 30+ different weigh sessions, checking my TH), I could get a 100lbs difference using a grade 8 bolt, in the link chains, Each link of my setup was approximately 200lbs adjustment.

    I am running a 1700lb WDH, as I did not feel safe/comfortable with a 1500lb WDH, when I load the TH up etc, also went to a 2-1/2" stinger size for added safety.

    Tia,
    Don