Weight Distribution:

Weight distribution is the act of transferring the trailer tongue weight on the rear axle of the tow vehicle to the front axle of the tow vehicle and the trailer axles for a balanced load. Without weight distribution, the tow vehicle “teeter-totters” on the rear axle of the tow vehicle, and unweights the front axle. Proper weight distribution transfers weight back to the front steering axle, forcing it back to the ground.

Proper weight distribution also adds performance to the Integrated Sway Control™ (ISC) feature of your Equal‑i‑zer® hitch. As the tongue weight gets distributed, it helps generate the friction needed to reduce trailer sway.

Sway Control:

ISC is a built-in, patent-pending feature of your Equal‑i‑zer hitch. Once the spring arms are tensioned, the sway control is in force.

ISC works through the connection between your spring arms and L‑brackets, and between the sockets and hitch head. The Equal‑i‑zer hitch takes advantage of the steel-on-steel friction generated at these points to help reduce trailer sway.

This added friction makes it much more difficult for the trailer to sway side-to-side while it’s being towed, as is usual when you encounter a gust of wind or passing semi. When properly set up and adjusted for your load, the Equal‑i‑zer hitch will noticeably reduce sway.

Important Setup Information:

These instructions are a guideline to help set up your hitch. Every trailer and tow vehicle combination requires a different setup and adjustment because of factors like trailer weight and length, trailer loading, hitch weight, and tow vehicle suspension and wheelbase. It is not likely that a correct setup for one vehicle combination will work for another. If you change tow vehicles and/or trailers, you should check the hitch setup for proper weight distribution and adjust when necessary.

Use your best judgment to determine if changes are required to ensure a safe and comfortable towing situation. There is no all-inclusive formula for setting up or adjusting a hitch that will accommodate each combination of trailer and tow vehicles.

The setup may need to be changed slightly at times to accommodate changes in your towing configuration, perhaps even during the same trip. For example, a trailer that starts with full clean water and propane tanks may tow differently when that water becomes black and greywater, and the propane tanks are empty. Or, a trailer loaded with gear for a long cross country trip may tow differently than the same trailer loaded for a weekend getaway. The driver must be conscious of these changes, and adjust the hitch accordingly.