Before each trip

Before you head out on your trip, there are a few things we recommend checking on your Equal-i-zer hitch to ensure maximum performance on your drive.

1. Make sure the hitch is set up correctly.
2. Check your angle set bolt, ensuring that the spacer washers in the cavity in front of the hitch ball are tight. (See video below to learn how to check and tighten the angle set bolt.)
3. Make sure your sway brackets on each side of the trailer frame are tightened and located at the same distance between 27-32″ back from the center of the trailer coupler to the center of the L bracket.
4. Check the lubrication of the hitch ball and hitch head. Wipe and re-lubricate as needed.
5. Make sure the sockets pins and clips that hold the arms into the spring arm sockets are secure.
6. Make sure the socket bolt nuts are tightened to 65 ft-lbs.
7. Once arms are engaged onto the L-brackets, make sure the L-pins are in place and secure.

After your first 50-100 miles of towing

Now that your hitch has pulled your weighted trailer, there are a few things you should check to ensure you have the best sway control and weight distribution for your setup. Watch this video for step-by-step instructions, or follow the steps below.

1. Check weight distribution preferably after the tow vehicle and trailer have been loaded, and any time the loading of the tow vehicle or trailer changes significantly. Record and compare the three front wheel well measurements:

• 1st uncoupled (baseline), 2nd coupled but no weight distribution, and 3rd coupled with weight distribution. For example: 1st = 30”, 2nd = 32”, 3rd should be between 30” and 31”.
• For 4K – 14K models, the 3rd measurement should be between the original baseline measurement and a point halfway between the baseline and the 2nd measurement.
• For 16K models, the 3rd measurement should be as close to the half- way point as possible. For example: 1st = 30”, 2nd = 32”, 3rd as close to 31” as possible. See Step 6 – Weight Distribution Setup and Step 7 – Weight Distribution Adjustments in the owner’s manual to make any necessary changes.

2. Lubricate the head and hitch ball. Lubricating protects the hitch and helps prevent noise. Expose the tops of the sockets in the hitch head by inserting the spring arms and pushing the arms out parallel to the bumper of the tow vehicle. Wipe the friction surfaces of the hitch head clean with a cloth. Apply a thin layer of quality bearing grease, like the Equal-i-zer high performance lubricant, to the friction surfaces (underside of the top plate, top and bottom surfaces of the sockets, top of the bottom plate). See Step 10 – Regular Maintenance in the owner’s manual for details.

3. Check and tighten angle set bolt: On a new hitch, the angle set bold many need to be re-tighten after the first 150 miles of towing. Turn the bolt until it comes back into contact with the adjustable shank, then tighten an additional one-half turn. Check the bolt each trip to assure it is still tight. Follow the same steps outlined above to re-tighten, if needed.

4. Tighten bolts: Before each trip each bolt should be checked to make certain it is tight. The bolts should be occasionally checked with a torque wrench to make sure they are still within acceptable tolerances. See Step 9- Final Tightening and Step 10 – Regular Maintenance in the owner’s manual.

Is my hitch set up correctly?

To enjoy optimal performance from your Equal-i-zer hitch, it is important to check your hitch setup every time you tow.

Follow the steps below to make sure your hitch is set up correctly.

How to Check Your Equal-i-zer Hitch Setup

1. Align your tow vehicle and trailer on a level surface. Find a spot where you will have some forward and backward movement for your tow vehicle.

2. Open your Equal-i-zer owner’s manual to Section 6, Figure 14 – Weight Distribution Setup Table. You will use this table to write down the measurements of your setup.

3. Uncouple the trailer from the tow vehicle and take all the weight off the hitch.

4. Your first measurement will come from the front wheel well. This will give you your starting base measurement. Measure from the ground through the front axle to the top of the front wheel well, with your vehicle disconnected from the trailer. Write this number on Line A of your Weight Distribution Setup Table.

5. Now, lower all the tongue weight of the trailer and onto the hitch. You will see the weight come off the front axle of your tow vehicle.

6. Keep all the tongue weight of the trailer on the hitch, but without any weight distribution. All of the tongue weight should be on the hitch itself.

7. Remeasure the same spot at the top of the front wheel well, and write that number down on Line B of your Weight Distribution Setup Table.

8. Next, put your weight distribution bars (the spring arms) onto the hitch and hook them onto the L-brackets.

9. The weight should be off the jack, and now held by the spring arms.

10. Once the weight distribution is set up and the spring arms are carrying the weight of the tongue – remeasure the same spot at the top of the front wheel well.

11. To achieve proper weight distribution setup this last number should be slightly less than halfway back from the original measurement.

Example:

Line A – Tow vehicle loaded, but still uncoupled from the trailer: 38 inches

Line B – Tow vehicle coupled, but with NO weight distribution: 38-1/2 inches

Line C – Tow vehicles coupled with weight distribution engaged: 38-1/4 inches

12. If your final measurement is greater than halfway back from the original measurement, you may be under-adjusted. If your final measurement is less than the original measurement, you may be over-adjusted. (Use the video below to see how to fix an over or under adjusted setup.)

13. If you have any questions about your Equal-i-zer hitch setup call us at 800-478-5578 or email us at support@equalizerhitch.com.