jason26
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Re: Equal-i-zer Hitch: Tools to have on hand.
WDP wrote: TxTwoSome wrote: Don't forget the Hitch Ball the torque needed for mine when I just switched hitches was 450 foot pounds! And the hitch ball requires a special large thin wall socket, your neighbor will prolly not have it. I took my ball and head to the local dealer and for $5.00 he tightened her up. WDP Actually we were able to move the bar ends around and fit a regular socket in there. The torque was all off on the bar end bolts anyways. Anyways, ended up with all the tools I needed except that ball socket, which I likely won't need anyways.347Views0likes0CommentsEqual-i-zer Hitch: Tools to have on hand.
I just purchased an Equal-i-zer hitch and will be installing it myself. For the first setup my neighbour, a mechanic has everything needed to torque the stuff down including the hitch ball. But for adjustments, and maintenance, what tools should I have on hand. The manual says the shank bolts need to be torqued to 320 ft-lb, and the sway bracket assembly to 75 ft-lb. Should I get myself a torque wrench capable for 320? I'm not sure how often I'd need to touch the shank bolts, hopefully not often. Thanks.2.4KViews0likes10CommentsRe: Hitching Help
So in the end I think I was tongue light. I just didn't have enough in it to properly load the tongue, then cranked up the bars at 4 links trying to get the front droops to lower than what it was without the bars. Still I'm just not happy with this hitch after reading more about Equalizer brand, the Reese Straight Line, and others. It wasn't all awful. On stretches of nice road, when the wind was town it was like it wasn't there, so I don't think I was too far off from good. But at one road side pit stop, the wind was so bad my 9 year old couldn't even open the door!235Views0likes0CommentsHitching Help
Just finished our first tow with our Jayco 26BH and I think I need some help dialing in the hitch. First mistake was towing there with water - I did so as the park didn't have the water turned on yet. Towing wasn't great, but not bad, and I could take it at my own speed, which was slow and fine by me. On the way back, we were empty of all water. Trailer doesn't have much in it as shipped from the factory. Bedding, dishes, 2 days worth of clothes. Really not much yet, it was a trial run. At 60-70km it was locked in pretty well. At 90 it would sometimes steer me. There was a very strong cross wind, but not always. I couldn't see noticeable "wagging", but is this still sway? It was like I had to keep 2 hands on the wheel at all times to stay straight. Not very enjoyable. Now the hitch is an "RV Pro" WDH (1000 lb bars), which I assume has no sway control on it. There are no friction bars, or anything like the cams on the Reese. Would that help here? The hitch was basically thrown in by the dealer, and if $1000 is going to improve my driving experience, I'm going to get a new hitch a.s.a.p. Funny enough, when doing 90km, and passing an oncoming semi, presumable doing 90 to 100km, I barely noticed it. I also had to do a faster than normal braking maneuver to avoid hitting some unmarked broken up road which it handled like the trailer wasn't even there. And up to 60km you barely notice the trailer is there. Pick all hitched up is here: https://goo.gl/photos/xf3ctyFux7dS77we8 From reading the forums, I wonder if I need to lower my ball a little? But again, I'm thinking of getting a Blue Ox, Reese Straight Straightline or something like that to do it right, right from the start. Trailer dry, with full propane is 4950lb. Battery was dealer added, then of course, bedding, clothes, and not much else this trip. Thanks.1.4KViews0likes6CommentsRe: Tips for travelling with trailer through the US.
Thanks all. Truck is a newer F-150 with tow package with some payload to spare after a hooking up a Jayco 26BH. We're light travellers, dragged our boys (8 and 10) around Europe for a month late last year with just backpacks for all of us. The plan is to keep the RV trimmed to the bare essentials but only time will tell. Awesome tip about the passports. We're experienced international travellers, but that is a very easy item to forget when driving!! myredracer: Were you able to get the Verizon device before you were in a US?477Views0likes0CommentsRe: Tips for travelling with trailer through the US.
GordonThree wrote: Can't help you with I5 walmarts... anywhere that's a huge population center likely won't let you wallydock due to homeless concerns. Most of the states you'll be driving through prior to California are not huge population centers. Are you driving to the coast first and then south, or more south-west through the US? South-west through the US. Right now thinking Grand Canyon, then over to Carlsbad, perhaps with a stop in Joshua Tree.298Views0likes0CommentsRe: Tips for travelling with trailer through the US.
Harvard wrote: With the exception of a coastal highway it gets very hot in the part of the country you are planning to travel. A proven vehicle cooling system is a must, for example, do you know that your fan clutch works properly? I wouldn't know. Was planning to get the dealership to do a once over before we go. I'll make a note of that.297Views0likes0CommentsTips for travelling with trailer through the US.
We're planning a family trip in the very near future from Saskatoon to Legoland (Carlsbad, CA), via Grand Canyon and maybe Vegas. and I'm trying to cover all the need to know things about travelling with a trailer in the US (29 ft), right down to route advice? This would be our first major trip with a trailer - we've pulled a 10' popup all over western Canada so do have a little experience, but there's a big difference from 10 to 29'. Things that worry me: - running into road restrictions on chosen routes. Are there helpers for planning the route? - navigating the bigger cities with a trailer - coming back home we'd probably to Disney Land, and perhaps San Francisco. - break downs, is there an association I can join, Good Sams? - nearing the end of day and not having a place to park stay (though I hear some people just pull into a Walmart lot for the night). And of course the stuff I just don't know about as this is quite different than parking the trailer at the lake for a week and heading home. Thanks for any tips and advice.5.2KViews0likes26CommentsRe: Tow Vehicle Reality Check Please
So after some work travel I have some appointments to look at and test drive some trucks right away here, but am left with one question: Should I concern myself with the axle ration or the capacities on the sticker? I'm looking at tow capacity of 8000+ and a payload of 1600+ on the sticker which seems inline with many F-150s and Silverados. Should I only concern myself that my capacities are met? Or should I get picky on the axle ratio as well? Keep in mine this will primarily be an in city daily driver except for the summer, where towing a 6000-6500 lb trailer through the mountains is likely, but going slow is fine. Thanks again!419Views0likes0CommentsRe: Tow Vehicle Reality Check Please
06Fargo wrote: Take test drives around 'toon Town's roads with empty trucks. See which empty ride you want to live with to have "payload"... :) Haha.. I should get on that. The roads are as bad right now as I've ever seen them. So sticking with 150/1500 I'm basically limited to F150 and Silverado/Sierra with max tow packages. They all appear to have 1900+ payload. Doing some calculations, 1600 would do. But an important point was made above about a friend or 2 coming along for the kids. Anyways, thanks all. There appears to be a number of options. Now its time to do some shopping.419Views0likes0Comments
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