Equalizer Hitch

[Caleb]

I purchased mine Friday and set it up yesterday. That took quite sometime to get the shank height right, the number of washers right, and the height of the L bracket perfect. I may have to make minor adjustments later when my load varies, but I took a ride on the highway with a good crosswind and I'd say that 80% of the sway is gone. I have a small amount of grease on the L brackets and the friction spots on the hitch head where the spring bars plug in.... That greatly reduced the grinding popping noises. I understand that also reduces some of the sway control but everything is a trade off. The instructions from their website, on how to set up the hitch, are very easy to understand and follow. It's definitely not something you just toss on and go though. The only thing I was kinda disappointed in though is, in the future when I need more weight distribution to the front, by adding one washer, or moving the L brackets up one hole, the bars will be impossible to lift on to the L brackets by hand without using the tool to lift them up. Oh well.... small gripe I suppose.

[Caleb]

Originally Posted by LilBigfoot

You can upgrade that Equalizer Hitch and make it quieter by purchasing a couple of inexpensive new parts. I love my Equalizer.



Sway Bracket Jacket (pair) : Equal-i-zer Hitch Store



*NEW* Snap L-pin : Equal-i-zer Hitch Store



Socket Pins w/Thumb Clips : Equal-i-zer Hitch Store

All these parts look like nice upgrades. Thanks for sharing!

[oldmanAZ]

Originally Posted by Caleb

snip... The only thing I was kinda disappointed in though is, in the future when I need more weight distribution to the front, by adding one washer, or moving the L brackets up one hole, the bars will be impossible to lift on to the L brackets by hand without using the tool to lift them up. Oh well.... small gripe I suppose.

Are you using the trailer tongue jack to raise the tongue once you've latched the ball and the coupler? This will usually allow you to put the load bars on to the L-brackets without the lift tool or reduce the effort you need when using the lift tool.

[Caleb]

Originally Posted by oldmanAZ

Are you using the trailer tongue jack to raise the tongue once you've latched the ball and the coupler? This will usually allow you to put the load bars on to the L-brackets without the lift tool or reduce the effort you need when using the lift tool.

Yes. I'm lifting it enough to raise the rear suspension of the TV about 2 to 3 inches, then the bars go on the L brackets pretty easy, for now, at this setting.

[Scoutr2]

I keep a set of spare bar pins, clips, and L-pins and clips, as well. If you lose one on a trip, it can be disconcerting, at the least!

I was a field tester for the sway bracket jackets and can say they quiet the hitch quite a bit. The pair I have now have lasted for about 4 years. A good investment!

[waltah]

my dealer is offering 1200lb bars for my 28dsbh for $500 installed. good deal?

[Scoutr2]

Originally Posted by waltah

my dealer is offering 1200lb bars for my 28dsbh for $500 installed. good deal?

That's a great deal! It costs $478 from RVWholesalers.com, which has the cheapest price I've found. And that's with you installing it.

[waltah]

$20 for install seems acceptable, even though ill have to re-do it once we load it up.

[Country_Mouse]

Originally Posted by waltah

$20 for install seems acceptable, even though ill have to re-do it once we load it up.

It costs us $100 here to install. And if we buy the hitch from them it is another $800! Talk about a markup!

[waltah]

They said it was actually 699 usually and they are doing a $200 off sale this month. blah blah, you know how it goes. guess in this case they are being legit though now that im looking around

[Scoutr2]

Grab it before the sale ends! You'll not get a better deal anywhere else!

[Country_Mouse]

If I purchase this one:12K Equal-i-zer 4-Point Sway Control - RVWholesalers.com RV Parts and Accessories

What accessories do I need to go with it? Ball, pins, etc.?

We have one 2" ball already. What about a drop hitch? Will be towing an X254 with a Ford Expedition. I do not know exact height of trailer but it sits really low.

[waltah]

scout are you my salesman?

[Scoutr2]

The hitch does not include the ball. Not sure what size ball you need, but most travel trailers that would require a 12,000# rated hitch need a 2-5/16" ball. The ball nut is difficult to hold on the Equaiizer hitch. The Equalizer store sells a thin-walled socket, but it is $63 plus shipping. I used a piece of steel wedged between the nut flat and the wall of the hitch head to hold the nut and a large pipe wrench on the neck of the ball to tighten the ball. It has held for nine seasons.

I have the sway bracket jackets, which make the hitch fairly quiet. Well worth the $20.00 asking price. You can order them here: Sway Bracket Jacket (pair) : Equal-i-zer Hitch Store

I also purchased extra pins and clips, just in case I lose one on a trip. But I'm a worry-wart about that kind of stuff - but prepared!

[oldmanAZ]

Originally Posted by Scoutr2

The hitch does not include the ball. Not sure what size ball you need, but most travel trailers that would require a 12,000# rated hitch need a 2-5/16" ball. The ball nut is difficult to hold on the Equaiizer hitch. ...snip...
I have the sway bracket jackets, which make the hitch fairly quiet. Well worth the $20.00 asking price....snip...
I also purchased extra pins and clips, just in case I lose one on a trip. But I'm a worry-wart about that kind of stuff - but prepared!

An issue with the 2-5/16" ball, is to be sure the threaded portion is NOT TOO LONG. If it is too long, on VERY sharp turns the weight distribution bar sockets may contact the threaded portion of the ball and may damage the hitch. Progress Manufacturing should be able to provide you with the maximum length for the threaded portion.

I ordered all of my hitch stuff online YEARS ago. To secure the ball, I walked into a hitch shop that sells Equalizer hitches into the shop area with the ball loose on the shank, and a $5 bill in hand. In 2 minutes or less, the ball was secured.

As for the noise, it really doesn't bother me very much. But, from time to time, I give the areas that rub on L-brackets and weight bars a coat of black spray paint. Not messy and it is quieter for a while.

I, too, have a set of spare pins and clips, just in case.