I posted in the fall about damaging my Dual Cam hitch by reversing at a very sharp angle. In order to back into my driveway I need to backup at as sharp an angle as possible. Can this be done without unhitching an Equal-i-zer hitch? Thanks.

I too need to make a sharp turn and at an angle when backing my TT at the house. I simply remove the WD bars and do what I need to do.There is absolutely no reason you need the WD setup when parking it. The only reason I leave them on when backing in at the camp site is because it's always level and no extreme turning to back in.Good luck! Mitch

I do a 90 degree turn backing from the subdivision street to my driveway. Haven't had any problems with the Equal-i-zer when doing so.

Arn wrote:I posted in the fall about damaging my Dual Cam hitch by reversing at a very sharp angle. In order to back into my driveway I need to backup at as sharp an angle as possible. Can this be done without unhitching an Equal-i-zer hitch? Thanks.You would damage the TV and/or TT long before the hitch is damaged.

There is potential damage with either hitch. Personally the D.C. Is better than the EQ. I would keep the D.C. And just remove the WD bars when backing in.

dodge guy wrote:There is potential damage with either hitch. Personally the D.C. Is better than the EQ. I would keep the D.C. And just remove the WD bars when backing in.There is POTENTIAL damage from turning too sharp with no WD hitch as well.But the OP did not ask about that. He stated some damage to his DC from turning too sharp. Obviously the DC has cams and attachments that can be damaged in such a manuveur. The EQUALIZER has no such attachments. By the time you turn sharp enough to damage a properly installed EQUALIZER, you will have already incurred damage to the TT and/or TV.Those square EQUALIZER bars will do a job on todays vehicle bumpers... Might scratch the paint on the EQUALIZER... So I guess you could claim that as damage.:B

Sharp reverse turn with Equl-i-zer hitch? | Good Sam Community

Timmo_
Explorer II
Apr 11, 2021
If one does not need the "weight distribution features" the bars provide, then why connect them for short moves? I relocate my TT about 3-4 times a year on the property, I just drop the tongue on the hitch ball and TCB (Aretha Freanklin, Respect). While backing, I must negotiate a sharp jackknife-like turn to square the TT away.
Kalabin
Explorer
Apr 10, 2021
I'm another that has to do a 90 degree backing with about a 15% grade to get into my driveway. I always pull up straight with my house, hop out and disconnect my bar's and then jack knife it and back up my driveway.

Main reason for removing the bar's is with them on the rear of my trailer would hit the driveway, without them on it gives the trailer a lot more play to move with the grade.
lane_hog
Explorer II
Apr 07, 2021
'tiredTeacher wrote:
Do you remove (or not install) the bars when pulling out of the driveway? How is pulling out different from backing in?

For the first couple trips on our sharp turn drive, I did just that -- removed the bars. Now I don't worry about it, and the hitch is just fine albeit noisy.
Huntindog
Explorer
Apr 07, 2021
'tiredTeacher wrote:
I'm no trying to be a smart ass. I've just noticed folks look at backing as a separate maneuver from driving forward. Isn't it the same path for the wheels? Do you remove (or not install) the bars when pulling out of the driveway? How is pulling out different from backing in?

Teach
Generally one will not obtain as sharp of an angle going forwards.
I had one TV TT lashup that could make contact when making a U turn going forwards. It was my first setup. A 1973 blazer towing a 24'prowler. That was not a very good setup for towing though. The short wheelbase that allowed the contact in a U turn, also made for a pretty unstable tow. It was long before the internet, and one generally learned such things then from experience.
_tiredTeacher
Explorer II
Apr 06, 2021
Lynnmor wrote:
You need an Oldsmobile Tornado.

I'm old enough to have seen that commercial on TV and it was a Toronado.
_tiredTeacher
Explorer II
Apr 06, 2021
I'm no trying to be a smart ass. I've just noticed folks look at backing as a separate maneuver from driving forward. Isn't it the same path for the wheels? Do you remove (or not install) the bars when pulling out of the driveway? How is pulling out different from backing in?

Teach
Lynnmor
Explorer
Apr 02, 2021
LVJJJ wrote:
Once when backing into an uphill camp site, the bars took so much weight off the rear tires of the TV that it lost traction part way up. Had to roll back down and remove bars first.

You need an Oldsmobile Tornado.
RHasse
Explorer
Apr 02, 2021
MikeDupont wrote:
Wow, all these years with a Equalizer and i didnt realize i had a problem until now. Maybe i dont back up at what you all are referring to as a 'sharp' angle.

Same here...
lane_hog
Explorer II
Apr 01, 2021
I do a 90* backup turn into my driveway off a state highway, and never remove the bars on my DC...
MikeDupont
Explorer
Mar 24, 2021
Wow, all these years with a Equalizer and i didnt realize i had a problem until now. Maybe i dont back up at what you all are referring to as a 'sharp' angle.