Equal-i-zer hitch installed wrong by dealership

[Tufelhunden]

Evening all.

I've been setting up my F150 to tow an 8800 pound Cougar. Replaced the rear shocks to get rid of the back and forth rocking when going over bumps, they work great and the suspension no longer feels under dampened. Rancho 9000XL with the adjustable dampening if you're interested. I also set up a rear helwig sway bar to stop body roll when in cross winds and getting passed by semis, also works well but the truck still doesn't feel planted even though the trailer is fine and traveling straight.

So I decided to check the setup in my hitch system the dealership put on. Come to find out the hitch ball is set one inch high, the L brackets at the lowest setting and at 24" instead of the recommended 32" or 29" minimum. Needless to say I'm a little upset. The changes may not make a large difference or they may, I need to purchase a 400+ pound torque wrench to make the changes and find out. However, I am new to TT and trusted these people to do the job correctly. It makes me not want to even take my tt to them for some warranty work as well as other services I need. :banghead:

Anyway just needed to vent a little. Thanks.

[Tbos]

Dealers will often seta hitch up initially and then they need to be reset. The reset is needed because the truck and trailer are now loaded. With that said, some dealers have issues installing them properly the 1st time.

[sourdough]

Some things to think about;

An F150 doesn't really need to be towing an 8800 lb. trailer. You don't give specifics on the truck or trailer but at 8800 lb. it will be a fairly long trailer - the F150 isn't really meant for that. New Rancho 9000s (I've installed a few) don't make much difference along with the Helwig sway bar- your truck will never feel "planted" like it should - you have too much trailer IMO.

Adjusting the Equalizer can make some differences but it won't stop the issues you are having. You don't need a 400 ft. lb. torque wrench. 300 or so will get the ball nut. The rest of the nuts/bolts are far less. You just need to understand what you have as a TV and what you are strapping behind it vs the weaker components. A "pickup" is not an HD tow truck.

[Tufelhunden]

Some things to think about;

An F150 doesn't really need to be towing an 8800 lb. trailer. You don't give specifics on the truck or trailer but at 8800 lb. it will be a fairly long trailer - the F150 isn't really meant for that. New Rancho 9000s (I've installed a few) don't make much difference along with the Helwig sway bar- your truck will never feel "planted" like it should - you have too much trailer IMO.

Adjusting the Equalizer can make some differences but it won't stop the issues you are having. You don't need a 400 ft. lb. torque wrench. 300 or so will get the ball nut. The rest of the nuts/bolts are far less. You just need to understand what you have as a TV and what you are strapping behind it vs the weaker components. A "pickup" is not an HD tow truck.

1938 pound payload with max towing and 17100 GCWR. And yes the shocks made a huge difference as did the sway bar. It's funny to listen to this when no one batted an eye when a 1996 f350 towed the same weight with less payload and GCWR than a will equipped current gen F150 or evena 2004 F250. https://goo.gl/images/YxUaxU

Not saying it wouldn't be better to move up and we will eventually, but I've solved every issue with minor changes. It doesn't even rest on the factory helper spring when sitting and loaded.

[chuckster57]

400 lb torque wrench? That’s probably a 1” drive, extremely heavy and very expensive. Just use an air powered impact gun. Even the compact Harbor freight ones will produce 400 lbs of torque.

[Tufelhunden]

400 lb torque wrench? That’s probably a 1” drive, extremely heavy and very expensive. Just use an air powered impact gun. Even the compact Harbor freight ones will produce 400 lbs of torque.

The instructions state I need to torque the main bolts on the head to 350 ft/lbs. I was looking for 400 ft/lbs as it is best not to be at the edge of a torque wrenches limit. Your idea is better though. Thanks.

[chuckster57]

I use a harbor freight impact gun that produces 700 lb feet according to the label on it.

My 3/4” drive torque wrench at home is like 34” long and only goes to 300 lb.

[sourdough]

1938 pound payload with max towing and 17100 GCWR. And yes the shocks made a huge difference as did the sway bar. It's funny to listen to this when no one batted an eye when a 1996 f350 towed the same weight with less payload and GCWR than a will equipped current gen F150 or evena 2004 F250. https://goo.gl/images/YxUaxU

Not saying it wouldn't be better to move up and we will eventually, but I've solved every issue with minor changes. It doesn't even rest on the factory helper spring when sitting and loaded.


Whatever makes you happy. All I'm telling you, from experience, is that you cannot, and will not, make that 1/2 ton, no matter your "happy numbers", a satisfactory (read fun towing) truck for an 8800 lb. 30+'? trailer. New sway bar, shocks, overloads, air bags etc. etc. will not make it an HD truck - there's a lot more to it than that. Good luck.

[spettiner]

Whatever makes you happy. All I'm telling you, from experience, is that you cannot, and will not, make that 1/2 ton, no matter your "happy numbers", a satisfactory (read fun towing) truck for an 8800 lb. 30+'? trailer. New sway bar, shocks, overloads, air bags etc. etc. will not make it an HD truck - there's a lot more to it than that. Good luck.

I couldn't agree more with what you say. I had the same type of trailer on my crew cab, 4x4 f150 with the 3.5 eco-boost. No matter what adjustments i made to the hitch, the truck only towed well in ideal conditions (no wind). I traded up to an F250 with the 6.7 diesel, and couldn't be happier.

[busterbrown]

I agree too. It just takes 1 wind storm, 1 sway event, or 1 road obstical to make a 1/2 ton owner wish they had the biggest HD truck available. It happened to me with my much lighter Bullet. Learned a few new curse words that trip too. If an RVer is pulling anything over 7,000 lbs on a regular basis, I think most will recommend an HD truck. YMMV.

[flybouy]

I have a F150 King Ranch and F250 Diesel that set side by side in the driveway. When I crawl under either and look at the other it's apples and oranges. I can state with authority that people will fool themselves thinking it's o.k. to tow heavy until that hairy wake up one day when wrestling with the tail wagging the dog alarm goes off. I can say with certainty because I was one of them, defending the "but I don't go that far, that fast, and I'm an excellent driver" attitude. I thank God no injury or damage was done (other than my pride) when my alarm went off. I wish everyone that does this the same fortunate outcome.

[spettiner]

I have a F150 King Ranch and F250 Diesel that set side by side in the driveway. When I crawl under either and look at the other it's apples and oranges. I can state with authority that people will fool themselves thinking it's o.k. to tow heavy until that hairy wake up one day when wrestling with the tail wagging the dog alarm goes off. I can say with certainty because I was one of them, defending the "but I don't go that far, that fast, and I'm an excellent driver" attitude. I thank God no injury or damage was done (other than my pride) when my alarm went off. I wish everyone that does this the same fortunate outcome.

All this. Exactly.

[JRTJH]

I'm not pointing fingers with this statement, but in a way, I suppose I am:

It seems to me to be "iconicly ironic" to defend towing at or very near the limit on a truck/trailer combination (think those that share the roadway with you and your family sitting in the middle of that risk) and then 2 posts down, document concern for "not using a torque wrench near it's limit".....

I didn't coin the phrase, but use it often and will continue without a doubt, saying, "You just don't know what you don't know"...... YMMV

[hankaye]

Howdy All;

When I leave a place or someone else leaves I always say to remind them
as well as myself to 'Watch out for the idiots out there, there's more of them
then there is of us."
I say that as I know what my skills are and what my vehicle is capable of,
it's the other driver that concerns me, I don't know them or their vehicle. So,
I assume the worst and hope for the best.

Safety is everyone's responsibility for ourselves and those around us, that
means on the road as well...

hank

[travelin texans]

Personally I think Ford should be as much to blame as the poor soul that doesn't know any better for advertising the F150 as the big boy tow vehicle they wished it was.
I will say this, if I'm in any way involved in a mishap with a F150 towing beyond it's limits Ford will be the 1st plaintiff on the list in the lawsuit!!! Second will be the rv/truck dealer that said " Oh yea! You'll have no problem towing 10k lbs with that truck!".

[Northofu1]

At some point, the truck and trailer dealers have to be responsible for their claims. How hard is it to ask what the potential owners would be using the truck for and then steer them in the right direction. I know, I know how utopian of me. It's far easier, and helpful to be honest and forthright. The trailer salesman should be of the same level of responsibility.

[sourdough]

At some point, the truck and trailer dealers have to be responsible for their claims. How hard is it to ask what the potential owners would be using the truck for and then steer them in the right direction. I know, I know how utopian of me. It's far easier, and helpful to be honest and forthright. The trailer salesman should be of the same level of responsibility.

In that "utopian" world you would be right. We had degenerated, IMO, now, to a point that is upon each and every one of us to be educated about anything/everything. The days, as they were when I was younger, when you could trust someone to tell you the truth are long gone. Trust (if you can) but verify (which you must).

[Retired Copper]

Don`t mean to hijack tread. but while reading I had a thought. You think tow weight ratings might change if the test where done pulling 10 to 12 foot tall enclosed trailer 30 feet long. There is a lot of importance in weight but I think overall size needs to play apart. Most folks never think about the height and size aspect.

[JRTJH]

Don`t mean to hijack tread. but while reading I had a thought. You think tow weight ratings might change if the test where done pulling 10 to 12 foot tall enclosed trailer 30 feet long. There is a lot of importance in weight but I think overall size needs to play apart. Most folks never think about the height and size aspect.

Kenny,

That's exactly the point I was making with my earlier post. Towing a 1,000 pound 7x14' flatbed trailer with 10,000 pounds of steel ingots (11,000 total weight) up a hill is not the same as towing a 38' travel trailer that weighs 11,000 pounds through a windy canyon or across Kansas on I-70.

The "forces at work" to pull the weight up a mountain pass in a test are not the same forces the truck has to face when towing a long, tall, flat sided "sail" in adverse winds. There's significantly more to towing an RV than just being able to "mechanically move that much weight". That's why, IMHO, the "don't tow above 80% of your rating" comes from. It's a simple way to "have the reserve needed in RV towing" that isn't addressed in the "vehicle testing process".... My opinion isn't very "scientifically based" but should be something we all consider when selecting a tow vehicle/trailer combination.

[flybouy]

Every time we go camping I think of the folks that exceed weight ratings.
Just look around the cg at the size of some of the folks stress testing those bag chairs that can hold "max weight 250 lb." :eek: Then invariably, I'll see one or two of them when I place our trash in the dumpster.:cool:
Just my personal observation:whistling:

[Topglock]

I agree too. It just takes 1 wind storm, 1 sway event, or 1 road obstical to make a 1/2 ton owner wish they had the biggest HD truck available. It happened to me with my much lighter Bullet. Learned a few new curse words that trip too. If an RVer is pulling anything over 7,000 lbs on a regular basis, I think most will recommend an HD truck. YMMV.

You’re exactly right. This past July we went on our longest camping trip. Adrian, Mi to Burt lake state park. (7 night stay). We have a Supercrew Fx4 F150 and a 27’ Bullet 272bhs that weighs in at 6820 ready to camp. Between the hills in Grayling and the wind gusts we encountered, I told my wife we won’t be traveling outside of 2hrs until I upgrade the truck. The stress of being stiff as a board and two white knuckled hands gripping the wheel was not worth it. Would eventually like to get into a 1tone. The plan is to upgrade to a 5ver in the near future.

[BadmanRick]

Before you buy that VERY EXPENSIVE TORK WRENCH Go by the dealer and pay the half hour rate to have them tork it. If they are the dealer you purchased it from they may do it for free.

[sourdough]

Kenny,

That's exactly the point I was making with my earlier post. Towing a 1,000 pound 7x14' flatbed trailer with 10,000 pounds of steel ingots (11,000 total weight) up a hill is not the same as towing a 38' travel trailer that weighs 11,000 pounds through a windy canyon or across Kansas on I-70.

The "forces at work" to pull the weight up a mountain pass in a test are not the same forces the truck has to face when towing a long, tall, flat sided "sail" in adverse winds. There's significantly more to towing an RV than just being able to "mechanically move that much weight". That's why, IMHO, the "don't tow above 80% of your rating" comes from. It's a simple way to "have the reserve needed in RV towing" that isn't addressed in the "vehicle testing process".... My opinion isn't very "scientifically based" but should be something we all consider when selecting a tow vehicle/trailer combination.


Your comments are spot on John and I guess the reason it's so hard to understand some that, although they are towing overweight and you know are experiencing issues, insist everything is as good as it can be. I have been one of those. It also points out why "tow ratings" are literally meaningless when it comes to towing a trailer.

In 1969 I bought a new 69 Chevy C10, 350, 4speed. It was a TRUCK! It was made to carry anything you threw at it...and I did. I found a shop built cabover that was very nice and VERY heavy. Who cared? It was a "truck". Dropped it in that long bed and down went the truck...very low. Hmmm - no thought of being overweight (I was 20), just that the truck had weak springs. Solution? Add overloads to it. Result? Not much. Coilover shocks? Same. I did learn, just as you mention above, that pulling the load is not very important. That big, heavy cabover would have turned that truck over on a curve if I had driven normally. It's all about the weight, its position and how/where it rides in relation to the TV. We loved that thing but got rid of it after 3 years for a pop up - no comparison towing.

In my 30s I pulled a 25' trailer with a new 1/2 ton Ford. It had the add on friction sway bars (useless). I learned with that rig all about "sway" and the "tail wagging the dog" effect. I took it all over the place and had lots of fun but was white as a sheet in W TX wind storms or semi traffic.

Everything I've towed has been at, or right at, max. Trying to get the most you can for as little as you can I guess. Even this trailer was started with a new, towing equipped, 1/2 ton, then another (to change ratios). All of them were better than what I experienced "back in the day" but I knew 1) I was at, and possibly over, some of my weight limits and 2) I still did not have that peaceful, laid back towing experience. I thought that is the way it was pulling a travel trailer.

After being on this forum for a while and listening to the sage advice of the members I decided I would see for myself if upgrading the truck would indeed improve the towing experience. Well, I've told myself I wouldn't use the phrase but I will; it is a night and day difference. Despite all my objections to a heavier truck, my arguments about how good a 1/2 ton could tow etc. - the fact is they just can't begin to compare to an HD truck....period. It took a long time for me to learn and goes back to what you said.....you don't know what you don't know. Hopefully some will listen and be proactive by taking the advice instead of being like me and dodging the bullet for years being lucky.

[66joej]

Before you buy that VERY EXPENSIVE TORK WRENCH Go by the dealer and pay the half hour rate to have them tork it. If they are the dealer you purchased it from they may do it for free.

Or go to your nearby truck shop. Put the hitch in the receiver upside down for easy access to the nut. Chances are they will do it free. I gave my guy $10 (that's CDN. so it would cost you next to nothing:lol:) for a beer after work.

[BadmanRick]

My friend bought a 7700 lb TT and a new 2016 f150 eco boost. Drove it down from Louisville to Fort Myers Fl. This is a top of the line ALUMINUM 4x4 f150 with top of the line blue ox weight distribution hitch. He had such a problem with trailer sway he had to keep the truck below 50 mph. He immediately went to North Trail Rv and traided the trailer for a motorhome. Only good thing about the F150 4x4 is he can tow it 4 down with the motorhome.
I agree with everyone else. Get a HD truck.

[mhbell]

I made the same mistake trying to pull a so called 1/2 ton travel trailer with a ford F-150. Pulled it 4 miles from the dealership to my home. in windy conditions. That was enough for me. Sold the F-150 the next day and got a F250 Super Duty. What a difference. I might Add that the F150 had air bags, sway bar, and new ranger shocks. and the Blue OX WD Hitch was set up properly for the weight of the trailer at the time. after changing trucks I pulled the trailer 800 miles to Arizona where I traded it off for a so called 1/2 ton series 5th wheel. My present trailer (see Sig). Ha! what a fraud. Sure glad I had the F-250 SD to tow it. no way a 1/2 ton F-150 would do it. The Pin weight alone was over 2000 Lbs loaded. I am right at the limits even with a F-250 Super Duty. Just my experience.
Mel
:whistling:

[bbells]

I think I can safely say that dealers install just about all the hitches wrong.

[George1]

I'm not an expert on any of this. But I totally agree with the other guy you do not have enough truck to pull that much trailer no matter what you do, no matter what you put on it, no matter what you add to shocks, suspension, tow bars, hitches, no matter what you do that's truck is too small for what you want to pull. I was you not so long ago, and after spending tons of money on trying to get a half ton to act like a 3/4 ton I finally broke down and just bought a one ton, and now I don't even know my trailer is back there. Now I probably have too much truck for my trailer, but I'd rather be lopsided and have too much truck then not enough truck to pull my trailer

[George1]

And you know what's interesting, is the rv salesman will tell you that you can pull all of these things with a halftime if you just add all this BS to the truck. It is a bunch of crap. I broke down and bought a 1-ton and now I can pull any damn thing I want to without having to add 72 accessories thinking I'm going to improve its pulling capability. It's like the Grinch that stole Christmas that put those antlers on top of that little doggie to pull that sled. Adding accessories to the little doggiedid nothing more to help the little doggie pull that big sled, it was just the same little doggie with accessories on his head!

[notanlines]

What 'choo talkin' 'bout, Willis?

[hornet28]

Some of these stories remind me of a friend. He pulled a 33' Airstream triple axle with 2 different 1/2 tons. They didn't move if it was windy. One day he came home with a new Chevy 3/4 T CC diesel. After his first trip he told me he should've listened to me years ago, he couldn't get over how much nicer it was to pull with the heavier truck

[hankaye]

Howdy All;

Anyone remember this?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z57zQNujPyY

hank

[66joej]

36' TT pulled by 125 HP flathead! There is a tribute to Henry and that iconic engine.:flowers:

[markjamestx]

Whatever makes you happy. All I'm telling you, from experience, is that you cannot, and will not, make that 1/2 ton, no matter your "happy numbers", a satisfactory (read fun towing) truck for an 8800 lb. 30+'? trailer. New sway bar, shocks, overloads, air bags etc. etc. will not make it an HD truck - there's a lot more to it than that. Good luck.

I have to second your comments. Don't believe a Ford, Chevy or Dodge could handle it. My Chevy so I upgraded.

[markjamestx]

Howdy All;

Anyone remember this?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z57zQNujPyY

hank
Just saw it again a few months ago. Hilarious

[bustersdaddy]

welcome to the club, My experience has been the dealership is great when you are buying, but the service is lacking .I bought a new Chevy and had to reset my hitch, I was able to get the tools loaned from
Advance auto Good luck.

[Laredo Tugger]

Quote flybouy: Post #20
"Then invariably, I'll see one or two of them when I place our trash in the dumpster."
Some people will dumpster dive anywhere. :lol:

[hornet28]

36' TT pulled by 125 HP flathead! There is a tribute to Henry and that iconic engine.:flowers:

Remember it was a movie. Was the car really powered by a flattie? Was the grade steep or was it camera angle?

[66joej]

Remember it was a movie. Was the car really powered by a flattie? Was the grade steep or was it camera angle?

Thanks for breaking my bubble Jack! Just kidding I saw the movie when it was in the theaters and didn't believe it then. Had enough of those flatheads to know all they did was sound nice with Thrush duals.:D