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Old 11-05-2015, 06:48 PM   #1
swanson
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Equalizer head changed positions

Got the trailer this spring with an equalizer hitch. Was putting it away for the winter which consisted of moving it about 100 to 150 ft. When I was done I had one heck of a time unhitching the camper from the truck. When I finally got everything unhooked the head on the equalizer hitch had swiveled down. I didn't have wenches large enough to loosen the bolts to adjust it back so I took it to the dealer to readjust. The dealer told me that because I moved the trailer without hooking up the equalizer bars this caused the head to slip down.

I have not heard of this. Is this something real?
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Old 11-05-2015, 07:01 PM   #2
chuckster57
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NO. The angle of the ball is adjusted with either spacers or a thumb screw. Once the proper angle is achieved there is a bolt on the bottom that once screwed in, "locks" the position of the ball. Sounds more to me like whoever installed the hitch skipped that step.
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Old 11-05-2015, 07:44 PM   #3
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Exactly as Chuckster said. If the thumb screw is set for the angle and the bottom lock bolt is set, the head cannot move. I transported smaller trailers all the time without installing the bars. By smaller trailers, I mean anything under 7k lbs. The bars don't do a whole lot for me with a dually when the weight is that low.

FYI, you really cannot torque the bolts to the specs required with wrenches. If I remember correctly they are set to about 250 ft lbs. I recommend getting a Milwaukee M18 electric impact and a set of sockets so you can take care of it anytime you need to. You just never know when you will have a problem. I bought mine at Home Depot last year during black Friday sales for about $300...not bad for a $600 impact gun. Plus you will have it if anything else goes wrong that requires busting loose some tight bolts.
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Old 11-05-2015, 08:10 PM   #4
chuckster57
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Equalizer head changed positions

FWIW the bolts that hold the head to the shank are 1 1/8" and the bolt that locks the angle is 15/16".
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Old 11-05-2015, 08:37 PM   #5
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Have to agree with the others...it just can't change on it's own. It must not have been torqued enough.
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Old 11-05-2015, 08:59 PM   #6
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Over time the lower bolt will get loose thus allowing the head to move. The easiest way to tighten it is once hitched with the bars and all, the head will move to where it should be based on the washers. At this point it is easy to tighten that bolt.
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Old 11-06-2015, 01:49 PM   #7
swanson
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Thanks folks! I felt like I was getting a pile of bs. I left the head at the dealers and told them I didn't need it back for a month or so. Got a call yesterday and was told that it was "repaired" and could be picked up anytime and no cost. I will myself check the tightness of everything before the next trip.
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Old 11-07-2015, 08:33 AM   #8
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I think your dealer has it wrong. The head moved because the small bolt under the head to keep the rivet and washers tight (sets the angle) wasn't tightened properly. It is also possible the shank bolts weren't tightened to 320 ft lbs too. Check out the manual on line and it will explain all these torques and the process. I hope the dealer didn't charge you.
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Old 11-08-2015, 04:57 PM   #9
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Tbos, I would agree with you about the dealer. When they called to say they were done I was told that it would be no charge. I would of been very upset if they did/do change me.
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