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Old 07-02-2021, 04:25 PM   #1
markcee
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Equal-i-Zer Hitch - Releasing the Ball

I just upgraded from a 12K to 14K Equal-i-zer 4 point. I'm wondering if anyone has any tips for getting the ball to release from the coupler. I have no issue unlocking the coupler, it's just that the ball doesn't always want to pop free when I'm extending the jack. The new hitch was adjusted to sit much higher - not a bad thing as the way it was adjusted previously I only had about 7.5" of ground clearance, and now I'm riding level with several more inches of room. I suspect the angling of the head on the Equal-i-zer also plays a part in the lack of release.

I've had this happen at times with the previous hitch, but with this higher setup, when the ball finally lets go, it's kind of disconcerting as the jack leg/trailer take a good jolt with that jack leg being extended more. I know the trailer won't roll anywhere as it's chocked, but boy - those jack legs sure seem kinda flimsy to me. I have visions of it just caving.

I've looked on YouTube and see some recommendations for moving the truck back and forth a couple of feet. Anyone use this method?

How about greasing your balls? Anyone a believer in that? It seems like there are some that swear by it and others that think it doesn't do much.
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Old 07-02-2021, 04:30 PM   #2
chuckster57
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I don’t have tongue/ball, but I’ve heard if you set the jack down. Lift up high enough to remove the bars, then lower to release all pressure on the hitch. Pull the release back and then pull forward just to put slight pressure on the coupler. Then lift tongue.

Like I said, I have a fiver so I don’t know if it works, never had a customer come back and say it didn’t.
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Old 07-02-2021, 05:54 PM   #3
sourdough
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Using the Equalizer always put grease on the ball. Also, if the combo shifts many times the ball gets "hung up" receiver and you have to make a bit of adjustment front to back to get the ball back inside the receiver. It's happened in the past but no biggie.
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Old 07-02-2021, 06:19 PM   #4
CedarCreekWoody
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Make sure the truck is all the way forward so the ball is forward in the coupler. Sometimes the truck rolls back slightly.
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Old 07-03-2021, 04:37 AM   #5
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Thanks for the tips guys. Heading out today for several weeks so I'll give them a try.
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Old 07-06-2021, 04:14 AM   #6
machz
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I have the same hitch and the same problem. I run the jack up enough to release the bars then bring it back down to unhook. With the coupler latch pulled back I can run it down or up and I struggle to get it to unhook. I have even tried grease and moving the truck but I can't get it to release.



I have to leave the bars on and step on them to get it to finally release.
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Old 07-06-2021, 05:00 AM   #7
DaveAlb
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I used to have the same problem. Greasing the ball and the inside of the hitch mechanism has taken care of that. Chucksters procedure worked for me. The ball and hitch can bind up a little sometimes though.
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Old 07-06-2021, 01:25 PM   #8
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4 in a row

Happy to say that since applying a light coat of grease on the ball as well as the inside of the coupler I am 4 for the last 4. I did have to nudge the truck once but that did the trick.

Thanks again fellas.
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