Equalizer Set up help
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Freshman User
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Equalizer Set up help
I've got an F-250, 2004, PSD, and a Dutchmen 30 TT approx 7400lbs with a 1006lbs tongue weight. I had an Eaz lift hitch that was rated at a 1000 lbs and the truck settled when hooked up, so I purchased an Equal-i-zer hitch rated at 1200lbs tongue weight. I installed it according to the directions and no matter how I set it and I've tried just about every seeting there is the truck still settles about 1-2" not matter how I adjust it. I've never read anything bad about this hitch, so I figure I must be doing something wrong! can anyone help!
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 3
From: So Cal
Are you mistaking the rear settling for normal all around settling?
An equalizer hitch spreads the weight and thus the settling to all axles of the truck and trailer. A non equalized hitch will just put all the weight on the rear truck axle and lead to a nose high tail low ride. The equalizer forces the front and rear axle of the truck to go down the same amount, I think it also settles the trailer axles.
Instead of getting the tail of the truck to go down say 6 inches and the nose to rise maybe 3, the equalizer should cause the front and rear to settle about the same amount but less than the 6 that the tail would have before equalizing.
Your hitch should be set so that the weight transfer bars are about parallel to the A frame when you have 3 or 4 chain links thru. I have an Eaz Lift system on my truck and that is what I recall the instructions saying. You may need to adjust the hitch angle to get the proper parallel. that's what all those extra holes and shims are for.
You also should measure the truck bumper heights before and after putting the trailer on, this will help convince you whether the settling is equal. What you are looking for is the change in height front and rear, not the absolute height. The hitch should be adjusted so that the front and rear bumper go down the same amount. If your truck bumpers do settle the same amount, then your hitch is probably properly adjusted. If your tail is significanlty lower, then either you need to pull another chain link or adjust the angle of the hitch.
The instructions are your best guide and keep in mind, you are looking for a level truck, not for the bumper to not settle some. The weight has to go somewhere, with an equalizer it is just equalized out to all the axles instead of one.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
An equalizer hitch spreads the weight and thus the settling to all axles of the truck and trailer. A non equalized hitch will just put all the weight on the rear truck axle and lead to a nose high tail low ride. The equalizer forces the front and rear axle of the truck to go down the same amount, I think it also settles the trailer axles.
Instead of getting the tail of the truck to go down say 6 inches and the nose to rise maybe 3, the equalizer should cause the front and rear to settle about the same amount but less than the 6 that the tail would have before equalizing.
Your hitch should be set so that the weight transfer bars are about parallel to the A frame when you have 3 or 4 chain links thru. I have an Eaz Lift system on my truck and that is what I recall the instructions saying. You may need to adjust the hitch angle to get the proper parallel. that's what all those extra holes and shims are for.
You also should measure the truck bumper heights before and after putting the trailer on, this will help convince you whether the settling is equal. What you are looking for is the change in height front and rear, not the absolute height. The hitch should be adjusted so that the front and rear bumper go down the same amount. If your truck bumpers do settle the same amount, then your hitch is probably properly adjusted. If your tail is significanlty lower, then either you need to pull another chain link or adjust the angle of the hitch.
The instructions are your best guide and keep in mind, you are looking for a level truck, not for the bumper to not settle some. The weight has to go somewhere, with an equalizer it is just equalized out to all the axles instead of one.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
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Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2003
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Jim, thanks for the help. I'll check it. During one of my many adjustments, I did check the front and the back, the back was down 2" and the front was up 1". I never had this problem with a TT with 500lbs of tongue weight. So, if I'm reading this right, if it squats say an inch all the way around, that would be ok?
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 3
From: So Cal
Yup. Essentially you want the squat to be about the same all around. If you can get into a flat parking lot, you can get a pretty good eyeball measure of how level the truck and trailer are. You should see a straight line fron the front of the truck thru the trailer. The Hitch and A frame should not be low like a shallow V or high.
Your 1 inch high and 2 low is not too bad. And remember you are looking for the change in height unloaded to loaded, not absolute height. You can also tell when things are right by the ride. A properly adjusted equalizer will result in a pretty smooth ride. One that is not adjusted correctly will be bouncy and may get squirrelly at higher speeds. My trailer is stable at least to 85, not a bright idea but at least I know. My older 23 footer without sway and equalizer was dangerous above about 65.
BTW, you might also look into a trailer sway bar. Makes a really big difference in winds and when passing big rigs.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
Your 1 inch high and 2 low is not too bad. And remember you are looking for the change in height unloaded to loaded, not absolute height. You can also tell when things are right by the ride. A properly adjusted equalizer will result in a pretty smooth ride. One that is not adjusted correctly will be bouncy and may get squirrelly at higher speeds. My trailer is stable at least to 85, not a bright idea but at least I know. My older 23 footer without sway and equalizer was dangerous above about 65.
BTW, you might also look into a trailer sway bar. Makes a really big difference in winds and when passing big rigs.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
