Appendix A - Troubleshooting Guide

Problem	Possible Cause	Suggested Correction
Trailer Sway Remember that trailer sway is caused by the combined vehicle (tow vehicle/trailer) configuration, loading, or outside forces. If you are unsure what may be causing your sway issues, contact your dealer or Equal-i-zer hitch customer support for assistance.	Light tongue weight	Get gross trailer weight (GTW) and tongue weight (TW). Tongue weight should be at least 10% of GTW. Follow trailer manufacturer’s guidelines for tongue weight. Reposition load in trailer as needed to achieve correct TW / GTW ratio. Remove cargo carriers or 2nd trailer from rear of trailer. See Appendix B.
	Improperly rated or under-inflated tires	Check tires for proper ratings and inflation. Replace and inflate if needed.
	Loose socket bolts	Make sure socket bolts are tightened to a minimum of 60 ft-lb torque. See Step 9 – Final Tightening.
	Tow capacity exceeded	Make sure your tow vehicle is rated to tow your trailer’s TW and GTW. If it is not, DO NOT TOW.
	Hitch undersized	Check to make sure your GTW and TW do not exceed your hitch’s ratings. If either does, DO NOT TOW. Purchase an Equal-i-zer hitch with a higher rating.
	Not enough weight distribution	Follow instructions to correct under-adjustment (Step 7) by adding spacer washers or raising L-brackets. See Appendix B.
Tow vehicle too high in front
Front end feels floaty
Trailer nose is too high or to low	Incorrect shank	Consult your local Equal‑i‑zer hitch dealer about using a specialty shank.
Trailer nose is too high or to low	Incorrect shank	Use the Shank Selector Tool on equalizerhitch.com to determine the correct shank for your setup.
Trailer nose is too high or to low	Improper hitch ball height	Follow Step 8 – Trailer Pitch Adjustment section to change ball height.
Bent or broken L-bracket, L-pin, or link plate	Link plates installed too far back from the hitch ball center	Follow Step 4 and set center of link plates between 27” and 32” from the center of the coupler.
Bent or broken L-bracket, L-pin, or link plate	Link plates not installed upside down for bottom-mount coupler	Follow Steps 4 and 9 to install and tighten link plates correctly.
‘Walking’ sway bracket assembly	Link plates not tight enough	Follow Steps 4 and 9 to tighten link plates correctly.
Creaking and groaning noise	Dirty or dry friction surfaces in the hitch head	Clean and lubricate the friction surfaces of head and arm sockets (Step 10) using Equal-i-zer High Performance lubricant.

Noise:

Noise is a normal occurrence when towing a trailer and using any weight distribution or sway control hitch.

The majority of hitch noise can be eliminated by lubricating the friction surfaces of the head as shown in Step 10 – Regular Maintenance, Figure 25.

In some cases, the friction on the L-brackets can generate noise. Lubricating this joint is not recommended. Try adjusting the preload angle of the head and L-bracket height so that the arms sit flat on the L-brackets. If you have lubricated and adjusted the hitch, but are still experiencing noise, try a set of official Equal-i-zer brand Sway Bracket Jackets™. They quiet the ride and reduce wear.

Customer Support:

For customer support, replacement parts, and accessories we recommend you visit a local dealership that is familiar with Equal-i-zer brand products. If at any time you need customer support and are unable to reach a dealership, please call our toll free customer support line at 800-478-5578, or visit us online at equalizerhitch.com.