Always refer to and follow your tow vehicle owner’s manual or air bag instructions for their requirements for use while towing.

Step 1 – Getting Things Ready

The tow vehicle auto-level or suspension air bags should be set to normal ride height and/or air pressure before setting up the hitch and while towing. Turn off, or disable these systems during the hitch setup process. Allow the suspension to adjust to normal position before it turning off. To turn the auto-level off, the system may have an off switch, have a jack mode setting, or you may have to turn off the vehicle. The auto-level feature, or making adjustments to air bag pressure after setting up the hitch can greatly affect the weight distribution provided by the hitch, most likely decreasing it. Refer to your tow vehicle and/or air bag owner’s manuals for additional information.

Steps 6 and 7 – Weight Distribution Setup and Adjustments

If the tow vehicle is equipped with auto-level that cannot be disabled while driving, weight distribution should be set to be slightly over adjusted before turning on the system. For the 16K Equal-i-zer hitch, this means returning the front axle to between 2/3 (65%) and 3/4 (75%) of the baseline front axle measurement (weight). See Line A on p. 18. After setting up the hitch, turn on the system, allowing it to auto-level. Remeasure the front as you did for the Line C measurement, and write this measurement next to the first for later reference.

If the system has only leveling on the rear axle, the new measurement and corresponding weight distribution calculation will be reasonably accurate.

If the system adjusts both front and rear axle heights, this new measurement will only be a reference measurement or estimate of the current weight distribution. It may no longer correlate to the load on the front axle when compared with previous measurements since the height may have been adjusted by the auto-level system. The true weight distribution numbers must be taken at a CAT scale.

Step 8 – Trailer Pitch Adjustment

After achieving good weight distribution with auto-level engaged, trailer pitch may need to be adjusted.

Before checking, start the vehicle and make sure the auto-level system is on and has leveled the vehicle until it stops moving. Measure the trailer as described in Step 8 and make any required adjustments to the hitch setup.

Step 11 and 12 – Hitching Up and Unhitching

Before hitching up or unhitching, set the leveling system to normal ride height, then turn off the auto-level system by turning off the vehicle or, if equipped, placing the system in jack mode.