Towed w/Equalizer
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 75
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From: Central Valley arm pit
Towed w/Equalizer
I just returned back from a 7 day trip to Pismo Beach Ca (about 700 mile round trip). I was one of many that complained about the wandering of Ex when towing heavy. A forum member pointed out my weight distribution set up was a little light for my trailer. The same member said I'd be happy with the Equalizer set up. WOW! An insane difference. I live in the Valley so the trip to Pismo is all mountain driving. Some decent grades and lots of winding roads. I had also never been this heavy. My 28' toyhauler is about 8700 dry. I went full with 146 gallons of fresh water, 3 quads, food and all the extra stuff you don't think about. In all honesty I might have been a little too heavy and over my max. However the Ex towed the worst grades at 55mph and the sway was almost completely gone.
Secondly the big part of Pismo is about camping on the beach. It's notorious for eating up the baddest trucks. I never got stuck and parked the trailer where ever I wanted. I was completely happy.
I guess it just shows with a little effort setting up the Ex, it can be excellent tow rig. Thanks to all the Forum members who helped me get dialed in.
Secondly the big part of Pismo is about camping on the beach. It's notorious for eating up the baddest trucks. I never got stuck and parked the trailer where ever I wanted. I was completely happy.
I guess it just shows with a little effort setting up the Ex, it can be excellent tow rig. Thanks to all the Forum members who helped me get dialed in.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,158
Likes: 35
From: North of Salt Lake City
I had the same experience with an improperly setup Equalizer. All I did was increase the tension on the bars by one notch (thereby shifting more weight to the front axle) and wow, what a difference. It turned my previous white-knuckle towing experience into a pleasure. Most of the time I could tow with one hand. I have factory rear suspension. No airbags, landyots, Helwigs, or other.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 12,237
Likes: 22
From: Florida
Aatcntrl1,
Very glad this has worked out for you. Our gals (Ex's) can be finicky to set up...but once we figure out what they want...LOOK OUT! LOL
Seriously though...it IS night and day between a properly dialed in setup and one you are fighting with.
I just got back from a 2200 mile trip...covered 630 in one 12 hour period...try that with a cruddy setup!...weight distribution as you found out is key to our what I call "compromise" vehicle that Ford put out...they "compromised" in the spring set to try and appease soccer moms...but us that tow LONG and HEAVY are constantly FIGHTING to get the setup right...but once found we are rewarded with an INCREDIBLE TV.
Those fighting wander and sway should not tow that way...some time at the scales and some time invested tweaking the setup go a LONG way.
I am so very happy you have found the right combo with your Ex so you can enjoy the trailer AND your family as you intended to do when you purchased this setup...
God Bless and many more happy and safe trips!
Joe.
Very glad this has worked out for you. Our gals (Ex's) can be finicky to set up...but once we figure out what they want...LOOK OUT! LOL
Seriously though...it IS night and day between a properly dialed in setup and one you are fighting with.
I just got back from a 2200 mile trip...covered 630 in one 12 hour period...try that with a cruddy setup!...weight distribution as you found out is key to our what I call "compromise" vehicle that Ford put out...they "compromised" in the spring set to try and appease soccer moms...but us that tow LONG and HEAVY are constantly FIGHTING to get the setup right...but once found we are rewarded with an INCREDIBLE TV.
Those fighting wander and sway should not tow that way...some time at the scales and some time invested tweaking the setup go a LONG way.
I am so very happy you have found the right combo with your Ex so you can enjoy the trailer AND your family as you intended to do when you purchased this setup...
God Bless and many more happy and safe trips!
Joe.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,158
Likes: 35
From: North of Salt Lake City
I have to admit that I was surprised that such a small change in my setup (one notch adjustment on the weight distribution bars) could make such a difference. If I hadn't experienced it myself, I would have dismissed those claims as grossly exaggerated. But for anyone else who struggles while towing, here are three "Setup Disciples" that are true believers! I guess you can say we've been there, done that and got the T-shirt.
Last edited by EpicCowlick; Aug 13, 2007 at 05:42 PM.
Cross-Country
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 90
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I had the same experience with the Equalizer. I towed about 350 miles with my L brackets up higher than I thought was necessary. Not a single sway during that 350 miles. I then adjusted the L brackets down one notch thinking I would ease some of the pressure on the Equalizer. I then towed my trailer 60 miles and it was the worst experience of my life - all kinds of sway and lack of control. I then re-adjusted my L-brackets up to the original position, and it was back in control again. Drive another 400 miles and not a problem with sway, wander, etc. Proper set up (which takes time and patience) is KEY to using the EX as an excellent tow vehicle.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 268
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From: OZ
Even though I do not have an 'X', I had the same exp with the reese dual cam hitch with my F250.
I was set up great towing with no issues, then I replaced my OEM tires with new michlin LTX M/S.
Next time I hooked up trailer and took off on a 300 mile trip. 2 hands all the way, WOW that was scary....
Started from scratch and re-set the hitch up, all was good again.
The difference in tire height from wore out tires to new threw everthing off.
I was set up great towing with no issues, then I replaced my OEM tires with new michlin LTX M/S.
Next time I hooked up trailer and took off on a 300 mile trip. 2 hands all the way, WOW that was scary....
Started from scratch and re-set the hitch up, all was good again.
The difference in tire height from wore out tires to new threw everthing off.
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Central Valley arm pit
Originally Posted by i eat hybrids
U said you never got stuck on the beach. What kind of 35's are you using?
Joe, hey I really have you to thank for this. Thanks for the time and effort. It's way appreciated.
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 12,237
Likes: 22
From: Florida
You are quite welcome for the help...I enjoy sharing with others what I have learned from others myself!...kind of what makes the world go round...right!
I have been VERY happy with the RoadMasters. Since I have a stock suspension...rear sag from the soft springs is an issue when placing 1250#'s of tongue weight back there. The RoadMasters REALLY give the stock leaf springs some help.
When hitched up now and WD applied the truck sits completely LEVEL...I NEVER had that before even with my old TT that had a 900# tongue!!!
The RoadMasters do help with rear body roll too. I don't know how to compare them to an Ex with Landyots since I have never driven one with them on there.
What I do know is that in the last year I have towed 11,000 miles with my Ex with out Landyots and the heavier tongue this year just pushed me into something that "felt" different...the RoadMasters reduce that "feeling" and also add spring capacity.
If I had the means (skills) I would have swapped to a set of F250/350 rear springs and I "think" that would cure MOST of the Ex's woes...I am not convince that hacking out the anti-wrap leaf is completely necessary...but I just like reversible modifications...I like to tinker and if not happy return to original...
I am very happy with my Ex now. Thanks for asking!
joe.
Originally Posted by Aatcntrl1
Joe, I almost forgot. How do that Roadmaster set up work out? Are they comparable to the Landyot rods? I'm curious.
When hitched up now and WD applied the truck sits completely LEVEL...I NEVER had that before even with my old TT that had a 900# tongue!!!
The RoadMasters do help with rear body roll too. I don't know how to compare them to an Ex with Landyots since I have never driven one with them on there.
What I do know is that in the last year I have towed 11,000 miles with my Ex with out Landyots and the heavier tongue this year just pushed me into something that "felt" different...the RoadMasters reduce that "feeling" and also add spring capacity.
If I had the means (skills) I would have swapped to a set of F250/350 rear springs and I "think" that would cure MOST of the Ex's woes...I am not convince that hacking out the anti-wrap leaf is completely necessary...but I just like reversible modifications...I like to tinker and if not happy return to original...
I am very happy with my Ex now. Thanks for asking!
joe.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: High Point, NC
Ditto here - The $$ for the Equalizer was be money spent on the X. I'm 100% stock and it towes just fine. In fact, on returning from our last trip, my wife pipped and said she could do the towing. So I held her to it - so only towed the last 50 miles or so, but she handled with out a problem (and she's not, well, the most relaxed driver in the world).
Now I just nee to tighten up the steering box a bit.
Now I just nee to tighten up the steering box a bit.
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Central Valley arm pit
I'm just wondering if that roadmaster set up would make it just about perfect. I'm not willing to swap out springs since I really like the ride. When I ride in a friends truck I just think to myself of how happy I am that I'm not bouncing all over the place.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 12,237
Likes: 22
From: Florida
Originally Posted by Aatcntrl1
I'm just wondering if that roadmaster set up would make it just about perfect. I'm not willing to swap out springs since I really like the ride. When I ride in a friends truck I just think to myself of how happy I am that I'm not bouncing all over the place.
PLUS they come with a 30 day money back guarantee if you aren't happy...you would obviously just have to un-install them so if you didn't like them you wouldn't be out anything but your install/de-install time.
Install was really very easy...I have NO complaints what-so-ever with the performance addition they add...it IS noticable in a GOOD WAY!
joe.