I got my Equalizer set-up and my wife and I went to a local campground with our new trailer for our first shake down trip. I set everything up per the instructions, using 5 washers, and the truck/trailer are pretty dang near level. I had to jack my truck up really high and still use the provided cheater to get the bars on. When I retracted the tongue hitch the bars were somewhat swayed. Also, when making sharper turns I could feel the vibration of the hitch in the floor board of my truck.Is it possible for these hitches to be set-up too tight?I bet you guys thought I was going to ask if my hitch was supposed to be this loud :) It will definitely wake a campground up!

I got my Equalizer set-up and my wife and I went to a local campground with our new trailer for our first shake down trip. I set everything up per the instructions, using 5 washers, and the truck/trailer are pretty dang near level. I had to jack my truck up really high and still use the provided cheater to get the bars on. When I retracted the tongue hitch the bars were somewhat swayed. Also, when making sharper turns I could feel the vibration of the hitch in the floor board of my truck. Is it possible for these hitches to be set-up too tight? I bet you guys thought I was going to ask if my hitch was supposed to be this loud It will definitely wake a campground up! It would help to learn what size hitch you have, the tow vehicle and the trailer weight and model. But, to answer your question it can be set too tight. It creaks and pops, that is normal.

Thanks JM, my main concern is the appearance that the bars were swayed and that I could feel the friction in the frame of my truck. Here are my spec'sEqualizer 14000/1400 HitchTV2012 F250 4x4 DieselTT 2013 Primetime Lacrosse35'8000#'s900# TW

How did it feel when towing..I'd try less tension on the bars (hang one less chain link).Your numbers don't seem right to me. I'm guessing you have more than 900 lbs of tongue weight...just a guess.

Thanks JM, my main concern is the appearance that the bars were swayed and that I could feel the friction in the frame of my truck. Here are my spec's Equalizer 14000/1400 Hitch TV 2012 F250 4x4 Diesel TT 2013 Primetime Lacrosse 35' 8000#'s 900# TW I suspect your tongue weight is more like 1100 pounds; perhaps as much as 1200. The only real way to determine the amount of tension is to go to the scales and weigh the axles of the tow vehicle (Ford) before and after tensioning. Go to the Ford towing guide and determine how much of the tongue weight taken off the front axle due to the trailer should be restored and then dial it in using the scales. It may not be a value set at 100 percent; some applications specify only returning 50 percent back to the front axle. Diesel engines are heavy so be careful about adding too much back to the front axle.

downtheroad wrote:How did it feel when towing..I'd try less tension on the bars (hang one less chain link).Your numbers don't seem right to me. I'm guessing you have more than 900 lbs of tongue weight...just a guess.At times at low speed the truck wanted to pull to the left. I only had about 20 miles of highway speeds. I was passed by a couple of big rigs and I felt no effects of them when passing.Mine does not have chains, the bars rest on "L" brackets. I was contemplating removing 1 washer from the head piece. Thing is, I have no idea what it should feel like towing with a WDH, as my old trailer was smaller and lighter and never needed it.Edit: Posted TW was from trailer specs, so you are both more than likely correct that TW is higher

First time towing w/EQ, question | Good Sam Community

Buck50HD
Explorer
Jun 26, 2013
Houstonkid wrote:
Thanks guys for the replies. I am just fishing for general comments from those with experience with WDH's.

@Ron, factory listed dry tongue weight is 900 so I am sure I am well north of that now that trailer has been loaded. I do need to hit the scales to find out for sure though.

@Buck, the first time to attach the bars was in grocery store parking lot because I was afraid the driveway at my storage place was too steep. Like I mentioned above when I attached them for the very first time I had to raise the jack so high that I actually took a look to see if my TV's rear wheels were off the the ground. At that point I went to attach the bars and still had to use the cheater with some strength to get them on the brackets.

OK, yeah sounds like too much tension. If you don't need them that tight, it's just going to wear everything out quicker and you have greater chance of bending a bar on uneven terrain.
Chlirod
Explorer
Jun 25, 2013

At times at low speed the truck wanted to pull to the left. I only had about 20 miles of highway speeds. I was passed by a couple of big rigs and I felt no effects of them when passing.

I have the 1200/12000 and have had it pull at slow speed and believe it is one bar or the other getting "caught" on the L-bracket. Once I gather speed, it releases and pulls straight.
Houstonkid
Explorer
Jun 25, 2013
Thanks guys for the replies. I am just fishing for general comments from those with experience with WDH's.

@Ron, factory listed dry tongue weight is 900 so I am sure I am well north of that now that trailer has been loaded. I do need to hit the scales to find out for sure though.

@Buck, the first time to attach the bars was in grocery store parking lot because I was afraid the driveway at my storage place was too steep. Like I mentioned above when I attached them for the very first time I had to raise the jack so high that I actually took a look to see if my TV's rear wheels were off the the ground. At that point I went to attach the bars and still had to use the cheater with some strength to get them on the brackets.
Buck50HD
Explorer
Jun 25, 2013
I bent a bar on our old TT and GMC 1/2 ton setup with a 10k Equalizer hitch. Took an entrance to a gas station that was way too steep. Any chance you hit a steep entrance somewhere and didn't realize it? I forgot about it until I was looking closer a few weeks later.
Ron3rd
Explorer III
Jun 25, 2013
If your tongue wt is truly 900-1000 lbs, you should be running the 12,000 lb bars IMO.
lbrjet
Explorer
Jun 24, 2013
It should feel comfortable. I would remove a washer. I have a similar sized trailer with a 1050lb tongue weight and the 12K hitch and use 5 washers. I weighed last week and this setup transfers everything except 140lbs back to the front axle.
jmtandem
Explorer II
Jun 24, 2013
I was contemplating removing 1 washer from the head piece.

One washer equals approximately one hole in the L bracket. Should be fairly easy to keep the spring bars relatively level vis a vie the A frame and adjust the tension.
Atlee
Explorer II
Jun 24, 2013
OP is talking about an Equalizer hitch. It doesn't have chain links. It just has two spring bars.

downtheroad wrote:
How did it feel when towing..I'd try less tension on the bars (hang one less chain link).

Your numbers don't seem right to me. I'm guessing you have more than 900 lbs of tongue weight...just a guess.
Houstonkid
Explorer
Jun 24, 2013
downtheroad wrote:
How did it feel when towing..I'd try less tension on the bars (hang one less chain link).

Your numbers don't seem right to me. I'm guessing you have more than 900 lbs of tongue weight...just a guess.

At times at low speed the truck wanted to pull to the left. I only had about 20 miles of highway speeds. I was passed by a couple of big rigs and I felt no effects of them when passing.

Mine does not have chains, the bars rest on "L" brackets. I was contemplating removing 1 washer from the head piece.

Thing is, I have no idea what it should feel like towing with a WDH, as my old trailer was smaller and lighter and never needed it.

Edit: Posted TW was from trailer specs, so you are both more than likely correct that TW is higher
jmtandem
Explorer II
Jun 24, 2013
Thanks JM, my main concern is the appearance that the bars were swayed and that I could feel the friction in the frame of my truck. Here are my spec's

Equalizer 14000/1400 Hitch

TV
2012 F250 4x4 Diesel

TT 2013 Primetime Lacrosse
35'
8000#'s
900# TW

I suspect your tongue weight is more like 1100 pounds; perhaps as much as 1200. The only real way to determine the amount of tension is to go to the scales and weigh the axles of the tow vehicle (Ford) before and after tensioning. Go to the Ford towing guide and determine how much of the tongue weight taken off the front axle due to the trailer should be restored and then dial it in using the scales. It may not be a value set at 100 percent; some applications specify only returning 50 percent back to the front axle. Diesel engines are heavy so be careful about adding too much back to the front axle.