Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Keystone RV Forums > Keystone Fleet | Keystone RV Models > Travel Trailers
Click Here to Login

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 11-13-2022, 09:01 AM   #1
Maineiacs
Senior Member
 
Maineiacs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Arundel
Posts: 287
Removing weight distribution bars from Equalizer when backing?

Recently heard from some friends who have a similar setup - TT with Equalizer weight distribution hitch. They casually mentioned that when faced with backing into a site at a sharp angle, they remove the weight distribution bars and find it easier to make the sharp turns. (Example, paved surface with site off to either side at 90 degrees.)


I've never heard of this. Is it common? And more importantly, is it true?
__________________
Jim
2018 Cougar 32RLI
Hercules H-901 tires
CRE3000 w/wet bolts

2021 F-350 4x4 7.3L Godzilla Crew Cab
Maineiacs is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-13-2022, 09:14 AM   #2
chuckster57
Site Team
 
chuckster57's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,236
Not needed:

https://www.equalizerhitch.com/faqs
__________________

2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.

Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
chuckster57 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-13-2022, 09:36 AM   #3
sourdough
Site Team
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 17,600
I never disconnected my Equalizer once for anything except to unhitch. On the other hand trying to back into spaces at 90 degrees, which I try to never do, is ill advised and only serves to tear up the suspension and tires. Don't use a 90 degree site if at all possible and if you have that sharp turn "walk" it in with short, small adjustments to lessen the angle vs just "pushing" it in at 90 degrees and pulling the sidewalls off the tires, tires off the rims, tear the spring hangers off etc.
__________________
Danny and Susan, wife of 56 years
2019 Ram 3500 Laramie CC SWB SB 6.4 4x4 4.10
2020 Montana High Country 331RL
sourdough is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-13-2022, 09:51 AM   #4
Maineiacs
Senior Member
 
Maineiacs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Arundel
Posts: 287
Quote:
Originally Posted by sourdough View Post
I never disconnected my Equalizer once for anything except to unhitch. On the other hand trying to back into spaces at 90 degrees, which I try to never do, is ill advised and only serves to tear up the suspension and tires. Don't use a 90 degree site if at all possible and if you have that sharp turn "walk" it in with short, small adjustments to lessen the angle vs just "pushing" it in at 90 degrees and pulling the sidewalls off the tires, tires off the rims, tear the spring hangers off etc.

Yeah, that's pretty much been my experience and approach. Thanks!
__________________
Jim
2018 Cougar 32RLI
Hercules H-901 tires
CRE3000 w/wet bolts

2021 F-350 4x4 7.3L Godzilla Crew Cab
Maineiacs is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-22-2022, 09:27 AM   #5
Kirk's Keystone Outback.
Senior Member
 
Kirk's Keystone Outback.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2022
Location: West Coast Florida
Posts: 243
Quote:
Originally Posted by Maineiacs View Post
Recently heard from some friends who have a similar setup - TT with Equalizer weight distribution hitch. They casually mentioned that when faced with backing into a site at a sharp angle, they remove the weight distribution bars and find it easier to make the sharp turns. (Example, paved surface with site off to either side at 90 degrees.)


I've never heard of this. Is it common? And more importantly, is it true?
I've never disconnected my Equilizer 10K bars to back in.
The common problem I notice is that people don't lube their hitches and the noise is unbearable with all that metal to metal contact.
__________________
2018 Outback 299URL
2020 F250 FX4 6.2L 4.30 AR
Equal-i-zer 10K WDH
Kirk's Keystone Outback. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-22-2022, 10:11 AM   #6
chuckster57
Site Team
 
chuckster57's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,236
Per line 10 I hope you’re not lubricating the spring arm or the L bracket.

https://www.equalizerhitch.com/blog/...qualizer-hitch
__________________

2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.

Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
chuckster57 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-22-2022, 12:49 PM   #7
Kirk's Keystone Outback.
Senior Member
 
Kirk's Keystone Outback.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2022
Location: West Coast Florida
Posts: 243
Quote:
Originally Posted by chuckster57 View Post
Per line 10 I hope you’re not lubricating the spring arm or the L bracket.

https://www.equalizerhitch.com/blog/...qualizer-hitch
No Sir.
Just the areas mentioned in the instructions. A dab of lube goes a long way to keep the noise and wear down.
__________________
2018 Outback 299URL
2020 F250 FX4 6.2L 4.30 AR
Equal-i-zer 10K WDH
Kirk's Keystone Outback. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-22-2022, 06:59 PM   #8
ShotgunZ71
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2022
Location: Rural USA
Posts: 25
As the others have mentioned, no need to disconnect the bars unless you're unhitching. Normal maneuvers, forward and back, are perfectly fine with the bars still attached.

Happy Camping!
__________________
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD
ShotgunZ71 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-23-2022, 01:58 PM   #9
Skillet173
Senior Member
 
Skillet173's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2021
Location: B’Ville, NY
Posts: 134
Used to back my 26’ TT almost a 1/4 mile down street to get to driveway in cul-de-sac. Never unhitched. Grease the sockets as indicated in manual where they meet hitch head and get some plastic “sleeves” for L brackets to control noise!
__________________
2021 Fuzion 419
2022 Chevrolet 3500HD DRW HC Duramax with all the bells and whistles.

Got tired of "fighting stupid" (LEO) after 27 years and retired.
Active MX rider/racer, parent, sponsor, mechanic, transporter, and race fan for my son.
Skillet173 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-23-2022, 02:37 PM   #10
CedarCreekWoody
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Trinidad,TX
Posts: 968
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kirk's Keystone Outback. View Post
I've never disconnected my Equilizer 10K bars to back in.
The common problem I notice is that people don't lube their hitches and the noise is unbearable with all that metal to metal contact.
Mine made a lot of noise until I adjusted the "L" brackets so that the bars are parallel to the camper frame. If not parallel the bars ride on the bracket edge and screech horribly.
__________________
Woody
Cedar Creek Lake, Texas
2019 Laredo 290 SRL
2019 Ram 2500, 4x4, Cummins diesel
Andersen hitch
CedarCreekWoody is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-23-2022, 03:19 PM   #11
chuckster57
Site Team
 
chuckster57's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,236
I have installed lots of these:

https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories...5-01-5150.html
__________________

2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.

Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
chuckster57 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-23-2022, 03:49 PM   #12
dutchmensport
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Indiana
Posts: 2,666
I no longer have a travel trailer, but did use an Equal-i-zer 4 pont weight distribution hitch system. I'm with the rest of the majority here, I never removed my bars when backing up. And as chuckster75 pointed out, I also had those little pads on mine. Also, I never lubricated anything on mine in 5 years of use.

I think what you are hearing is, if you have a weight distribution system withOUT sway control, you'll need a separate sway bar. When backing, THAT sway bar needs to be loosened and removed before backing. It is possible to jack knife and in so doing, the tension on that sway bar could break the the two balls it's attached to. One could break on the hitch, which would ruin the hitch. Or the other could break or even bend the hole where the other end ball is mounted to the trailer A-frame. I also had an old style Reese Weight Distribution system (bars with the chains) and used a separate sway bar. I "religiously" removed that bar whenever backing up... for any reason.

I think that is where the confusing advise you received is coming from. Your friends are confusing weight distribution bars with an attached separate sway bar.
__________________
2019 Montana High Country 375FL
2014 Chevy Duramax HD 6.6 - 3500 Diesel Dully Long bed Crew Cab
dutchmensport is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-23-2022, 04:42 PM   #13
sourdough
Site Team
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 17,600
Quote:
Originally Posted by chuckster57 View Post
The pads are great. I heard, and was worried, that it would reduce sway control but that didn't happen for me. Lubed per instructions and I had no issues.
__________________
Danny and Susan, wife of 56 years
2019 Ram 3500 Laramie CC SWB SB 6.4 4x4 4.10
2020 Montana High Country 331RL
sourdough is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-24-2022, 04:42 AM   #14
Weldon
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Suwanee
Posts: 414
Quote:
Originally Posted by sourdough View Post
The pads are great. I heard, and was worried, that it would reduce sway control but that didn't happen for me. Lubed per instructions and I had no issues.
I use these as well. The equalizer can be quite loud pulling into a CG. These reduce the noise nicely. Had mine for close to a year and have had no issues.
Weldon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-27-2022, 03:10 PM   #15
Folkie
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Cherry Hill
Posts: 191
Quote:
Originally Posted by chuckster57 View Post
I would think that the pads might reduce the friction enough to defeat the sway control.

I was actually considering using these next year after an odd occurrence on our last trip this year. After backing into our site I noticed that the "L" bracket supports had tilted and moved on the A-frame. The only notable events on the trip there was that we had to make a couple of very tight 120 deg turns (1 right and 1 left). I do re-torque the brackets occasionally during the season and had never seen anything like this during our 3 seasons with this camper.
__________________
2020 Cougar 22RBS
Folkie is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
weight distribution

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Keystone RV Company or any of its affiliates in any way. Keystone RV® is a registered trademark of the Keystone RV Company.


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 04:01 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.