Anybody use an Equal-i-zer hitch?
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Yeah, I got one. Mine is a Reese brand dropped to match the tongue of my Fourwinds camper. I have the 14k ball hitch with 1000lbs torsion bars. The setup you were questioning all has to depend on the height of the tongue of your trailer. The trailer needs to pull level-After torsion bars are applied. This will aid in sway. If after you pull it for a while, the rear may "settle" a little; if it goes down too far, you may have to readjust the hitch heighth or get the dealer to reset.
We've got the 10000 hitch. It works great towing our 28' Nomad trailer(6500# loaded). The dealer set it up for us and we are just a little lower than level at the tongue. It tows best that way. Had to haggle a little on the price. Got it for 500.00 and they set it up for us.
Yep I use it for my 26' TT... The trailer rides much lower than most and I have the hitch set on the lowest notch. My truck's an 05 CC 4X4, stock with no lift or anything.
I had a bit of a problem with the brackets on the trailer slipping and found the attachment hardware to be pretty lame. Curiously, there are two bolt holes machined in to each bracket that made great places for added bolts. I drilled through and added two grade 8 bolts to each side and it hasn't been a problem since. The whole thing took about 1/2 hour (with wife and kids waiting in the truck to leave). I was pretty annoyed that for the money this thing costs it doesn't even hook tightly to the trailer. The 'compression' screw into the trailer rail is pretty lame. Aside from that I love the hitch and the way it tows.
As for setting it up, there are directions about how to measure everything... I did all that and had better luck just trying the different links on the chain until I found one that was obviously the one. I went one link 'tighter' once and totally lost traction is my rear wheels. I was on wet pavement but it was pretty interesting and totally convinced me that these things work.
Somebody told me about an ad campaign for these hitches back in the 70's where they took the rear wheels off of a FWD Olds Toronado and drove the thing across the country with a trailer on the back.... It's good to know it's a strong setup.
For towing any serious weight with a 1/2 ton truck it's a must... and in reality it's a must for the heavyduty trucks too...
Let me know if my description my added bolts is not clear and I will post a pic.
I had a bit of a problem with the brackets on the trailer slipping and found the attachment hardware to be pretty lame. Curiously, there are two bolt holes machined in to each bracket that made great places for added bolts. I drilled through and added two grade 8 bolts to each side and it hasn't been a problem since. The whole thing took about 1/2 hour (with wife and kids waiting in the truck to leave). I was pretty annoyed that for the money this thing costs it doesn't even hook tightly to the trailer. The 'compression' screw into the trailer rail is pretty lame. Aside from that I love the hitch and the way it tows.
As for setting it up, there are directions about how to measure everything... I did all that and had better luck just trying the different links on the chain until I found one that was obviously the one. I went one link 'tighter' once and totally lost traction is my rear wheels. I was on wet pavement but it was pretty interesting and totally convinced me that these things work.
Somebody told me about an ad campaign for these hitches back in the 70's where they took the rear wheels off of a FWD Olds Toronado and drove the thing across the country with a trailer on the back.... It's good to know it's a strong setup.
For towing any serious weight with a 1/2 ton truck it's a must... and in reality it's a must for the heavyduty trucks too...
Let me know if my description my added bolts is not clear and I will post a pic.
Joined
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28 Posts
Equalizer brand hitch works really well for me.
Go to bottom of this page to see which shank is likely required for your application
http://www.equalizerhitch.com/productinfo/tech_specs.php
-RJ
Go to bottom of this page to see which shank is likely required for your application
http://www.equalizerhitch.com/productinfo/tech_specs.php
-RJ
I got one a year ago to replace the Husky with chains which was basically worthless. Plus I had the Husky anti-sway, even more worthless.
The Equal-i-zer is far superior, but I have had the same issue with the brackets slipping--to the degree that the bar came out. I have been out with the Equal-i-zer three times (mountains, wind) towing a 30' 6500 lb trailer and each time have had trouble. The pressure screws are always loose. This last trip the brackets slipped so far that the bar twisted under the pin and we had to remove the entire bracket to unhitch the trailer. It was then that I noticed all of the brackets and metal hardware were seriously bent. I got the recommended 1000 hitch. I am currently working with their customer service to figure out what needs to happen to correct this. My suggestion is to go with the next higher rated Equal-i-zer if you are towing near what I am. I guess there are issues with some trailers that require additional hardware to prevent the brackets from 'walking' (their term) so you might also want to check with them first--call the company number and go to Daniel ext 119.
The Equal-i-zer is far superior, but I have had the same issue with the brackets slipping--to the degree that the bar came out. I have been out with the Equal-i-zer three times (mountains, wind) towing a 30' 6500 lb trailer and each time have had trouble. The pressure screws are always loose. This last trip the brackets slipped so far that the bar twisted under the pin and we had to remove the entire bracket to unhitch the trailer. It was then that I noticed all of the brackets and metal hardware were seriously bent. I got the recommended 1000 hitch. I am currently working with their customer service to figure out what needs to happen to correct this. My suggestion is to go with the next higher rated Equal-i-zer if you are towing near what I am. I guess there are issues with some trailers that require additional hardware to prevent the brackets from 'walking' (their term) so you might also want to check with them first--call the company number and go to Daniel ext 119.
I've been happy with my Equal-i-zer hitch. I'm using the shank that came with it without any problems on my 4x4 Titan. But, it will depend on the coupler height on your trailer. Mine's about 25". You can probably go up 3" or down 4" from that with the stock shank.
The Equalizer is a great hitch and wouldn't consider towing over 5k without it. The trailer dealer set it up for me and I found it needed adjustment up at least one hole. I'm pushing the limits with my 26' Sportsman Sportster toy hauler so have installed the ride rite airbags also. On the recommendation of other Titan talk members I also chose the prodigy brake controller. The combination works great and have had no probles with sway or stopping. Because of the friction of the sway bars expect to hear some groaning when turning at low speed as the bars slide in the brackets.
04 KC LE OR BT
04 KC LE OR BT
Equal-i-zer customer service has been really good to deal with. They are replacing the mounting brackets, pins and bolts under warranty. Their determination is that the brackets were overtightened which caused them to bow, removing the metal on metal contact required to prevent slipping.
I am so relieved because I would not have kept the trailer without having the Equal-i-zer to rely upon--it is such a superior product.
I am so relieved because I would not have kept the trailer without having the Equal-i-zer to rely upon--it is such a superior product.
the equalizer is great....a little loud, but don;t worry about that...it sounds like something is wrong, but that just means it's working...I posted about it at RV.net and learned about the noise........I am at the upper range as well, and just installed the airbags 2 days ago....probably try her out this weekend for a short trip!.........bottom line is the equalizer is a very easy set up and hook up.....no groaning and manipulating...put it in the hitch, push it over, lock in the L clasp...voila!!
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778 Posts
Nope...lube on the pivots is very important if you want the hitch to last. I would suggest going to their website and reading the instructions.Derwud said:
http://www.equalizerhitch.com/support/instructions.php
people on here say good things generally about the equalizer, but the posts in this thread about the brackets slipping worries me. are there any competing brands or models that offer the same or better quality, reliability? I'm completely new to towing and weight distributing hitches... i will contact some local rv/towing outfits but would like to have a couple models to compare if anyone can help?
I have had both the Equalizer and the Reese Dual Cam. Both are great hitches. You can't go wrong with either.
I prefer the Reese Dual Cam because it's design tries to prevent sway (keep the truck and trailer in a staight line), as well as control the sway once it starts. The trailer seems more "connected" to the truck.
The only issue I have had with the Dual cam was clearance. My last trailer (Adirondack 26RK, 5000 lbs) sat very low. The Dual Cam hung too low and would bottom out when going in and out of parking lots or gas stations. That's why I switched to the equalizer. My new trailer (KZ Spree 260RBS 6500 lbs) has more clearance, so I decided to go back to the Dual Cam.
I recommend you spend some time on RV.NET reading about the two hitches. You will find tons of info to base your decision on.
I prefer the Reese Dual Cam because it's design tries to prevent sway (keep the truck and trailer in a staight line), as well as control the sway once it starts. The trailer seems more "connected" to the truck.
The only issue I have had with the Dual cam was clearance. My last trailer (Adirondack 26RK, 5000 lbs) sat very low. The Dual Cam hung too low and would bottom out when going in and out of parking lots or gas stations. That's why I switched to the equalizer. My new trailer (KZ Spree 260RBS 6500 lbs) has more clearance, so I decided to go back to the Dual Cam.
I recommend you spend some time on RV.NET reading about the two hitches. You will find tons of info to base your decision on.
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