forthefunofit94
N. E. GA
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Joined: 07/11/2006
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I just switched from a Husky to an equalizer hitch. The receiver that you place the bars in is extremely tight. Trying to get the bar to swivel right to left is tough. Is this correct, or do I need to loosen something or grease something. Otherwise, I am very pleased with the new setup. I think this goes in the dumb question file, but I need to figure it out. Thanks
David & Karen Castellon
2002 Dodge Ram Quadcab Diesel
21 WRS V-LITE
EQUAL-I-ZER
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jmtandem
western nevada
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Joined: 01/18/2006
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Quote:I just switched from a Husky to an equalizer hitch. The receiver that you place the bars in is extremely tight. Trying to get the bar to swivel right to left is tough. Is this correct, or do I need to loosen something or grease something. Otherwise, I am very pleased with the new setup. I think this goes in the dumb question file, but I need to figure it out. Thanks
Use a little grease on the top and bottom of the pivots. There are prescribed torque values for those bolts. They are hard to move by hand but should not be impossible. Expect some groaning and creaking from the hitch as that is part and parcel of this particular hitch. Stay on top of the L brackets bolt tightness. Mine loosen up all the time.
'05 Dodge Cummins 4x4 dually 3500 white quadcab auto long bed.
'09 299bhs Tango.
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forthefunofit94
N. E. GA
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thanks, do I use the same grease that I use on the ball, or do I use oil (wd40)?
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jmtandem
western nevada
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Quote:thanks, do I use the same grease that I use on the ball, or do I use oil (wd40)?
Technically, WD 40 is a penetrant, not a lubricant. WD 40 is not considered part of the 'oil' family. Do not use oil on the pivots. Use grease, Progress Mfg (the maker of the hitch) sells grease for this purpose but I would just use a good grease. You will notice after some use metal to metal groves in the hitch head where the pivots are so a little grease top and bottom is warranted. Also, the instructions or the website should provide the ft lbs of torque for those bolts. I have an older hitch and I think mine are 45 ft lbs. The newer hitches have some mods to the L brackets that might have addressed the constant loosening issue. However, I would carry tools to tighten as mine do loosen up and need to be retightened after every day of towing. It only takes a minute or two but I find it unacceptable for a manufacturer that has been making this same hitch since the early 1960's.
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Chuck&Gail
In the Colorado Mountains
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Joined: 06/16/2004
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Mine never loosened except after first hundred miles or so when high spots and paint got worn off. Torqued bolts once a year in spring, rarely needed it, even after over 50,000 miles of use.
Chuck
Wonderful Wife
Australian Shepherd
2010 Ford Expedition TV
2010 Outback 230RS Toybox, 5390# UVW, 6800# Loaded
Not yet camped in Hawaii, 2 Canada Provinces, & 2 Territories
I can't be lost because I don't care where this lovely road is going
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coolmom42
Middle Tennessee
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Joined: 02/18/2011
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Also---don't try to snap up the bars until they are pretty much parallel with the hitch. You will need to crank up the tongue to do this. It makes all the difference in the world.
2006 Toyota Sienna
Single empty-nester in Middle TN
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forthefunofit94
N. E. GA
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That makes sense now. One bar moves w/moderate pressure. The other bar is ALMOST impossible to swing. As tight as they are, I don't see how I can get grease in them. Thanks for the feedback.
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wgriswold
Lake Tahoe
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Joined: 11/11/2005
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Customer service told me that the hitch is shipped with the torque setting on the bars set higher than recommended in the owner's manual to facilitate break in. The first time I set the torque I thought my torque wrench was defective because the bars were so loose compared to when I got the hitch. After testing my wrench against two others I called customer service.
1999 K2500 Suburban, 454, 4.10
Arctic Fox 29V
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OlderThanSand
Tollhouse, Ca
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Joined: 12/09/2007
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I just went from a Husky to an E-Qual-izer too. What a difference! You're going to love it.
2012 Ram 1500 4x4 CC
2006 22' Carson Titan
2009 Polaris RZR
2007 Honda TRX 250EX
1995 model dune crazed granddaughter
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lbrjet
Liberty, IN
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If you read the manual it says to grease the sockets on the top and bottom. Loosen the bolts and they will move back and forth. I use my reese hitch ball grease. I then torque mine to 55-60lbs. To have the same friction on my set one is 55 and the other is 60.
Put 4700 miles on my E-4 this summer and it worked fantastic.
2010 F250 4X4 5.4L 3.73 LS
2011 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
Equalizer E4 1200/12000
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