SETenn
Benton TN
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Joined: 02/13/2006
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I've had my Equalizer for about a year and a half. Before our last trip I noticed that the L-bracket on one side of the trailer A frame was loose and I could move it back and forth with my hand. I tightened the bolt that runs through the L-bracket but it is as tight as I can get it and still get movement with the bracket. The L-bracket on the other side of the A-frame is fine.
I called Equalizer and they suggested that I add some washers to the hitch head and that will allow me to raise or lower the L-bracket to a different hole and should tighten up just fine.
Has anyone else ever dealt with this? I am a little upset that in only a year and a half that something seems worn out on this thing.
My dealer set up this thing when I bought my trailer and from everything I can tell it is set up properly.
Suggestions - besides getting rid of it.
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colochoclab
Arvada, Colorado
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Joined: 05/24/2006
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A common problem, don't sweat.
I had the same thing happen, and one common cause is the dealer overtightening the brackets that hold the L-bracket to the TT frame. This can cause the bracket to bow slightly. You can reverse the brackets and re-install. I did add some large washers on the backside of the brackets to evenly distribute the torque so they would not bend.
EQ's solution will work also, but the problem may come back. A little looseness in the L-bracket will not effect the performace of the hitch, or so they say!
Good Luck!
-Lab
I will try to get some pics later!
2004 Nissan Titan SE Crew Off-Road & Big Tow, LT Tires
2006 Jayco JayFlight 29FBS
Equal-i-zer Hitch
Prodigy Brake Control
Member of clubtitan.org
"Hershey" the Chocolate Lab (Best Friend)
"I asked God for a true friend: He sent me a Labrador Retriever."
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camperdave
northern, California
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Joined: 10/16/2003
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If I understand what you are saying, then either the hole in the L bracket is worn out and too large, or the set screw is damaged. If it's just the set screw, replace it and move on. If the hole is damaged to the point of not being able to be tightened up, then I guess their solution would work, but it doesn't seem ideal since you'd be changing the weight distribution properties away from ideal (assuming it's set up correctly). I'd replace the L bracket.
FWIW, my L brackets contacted the bolt heads before the inside of the pocket they slide into, which created some bowing when tightened down, and prevented me from fully tightening the set screw. I did not like this, though Lindon Hitch said it was not a problem. I put a sheetmetal shim between the L bracket and the 'pocket' it goes into so that when the set screw is tightened it will evenly push the L bracket against the back and not load it like a spring (in other words, the L bracket no longer contacts the bolt heads at all). I do still find that the set screws loosen on occasion, so I just check them when I hook up and give them a little snugging up when needed.
Hope this makes sense?!?
personally, I don't really care for the way the L brackets are held in place with a single set screw that has no way of positively locking in place. Seems like at the very least it ought to be a longer screw with a locknut to clamp it in place.
david.
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SETenn
Benton TN
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Joined: 02/13/2006
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Thanks, guys. The set screw is tightened as far as it will go. A friend of mine placed a bolt through one of the top holes in the L-bracket just in case the set screw came loose as he was going down the road. This would at least keep him from losing the L-bracket.
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I_rv2
Illinois
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Joined: 01/13/2008
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Hi guys. I just returned from a 5,000 plus trip, from Illinois, to Colorado, to Canada (Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, Edmonton, Fort McMurray) ... and was fighting this Equalizer loose L-bracket problem also.
I kept tightening the set screw (probably past the point as instructed in the directions) but they kept coming loose.
I finally put some Lok Tight on the treads. The set screws didn't back out again, but one of the L-brackets is once again a little loose.
I was just about to call Equalizer about this.
I'm wondering if they got some defective set-screws or L-brackets.
My equalizer set up is only 4 months old ... but I've got more than 5,000 miles on it.
Hmmmm
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canoe on top
Denver, CO, US
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Joined: 07/21/2003
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Sounds like this one may have worked loose and was loose long enough to wear the hole a little larger. I've had mine loosen up a bit but just re-tighten. I would think a new L bracket might be the easiest way to go. I probably have 20,000 miles on mine.
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H & E
North Texas
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Joined: 10/05/2006
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My setscrews come loose all the time. I tighten them every time I hook up. I have wired them to the tongue brackets in case it decides to come completely loose again. Once one of the L brackets fell out and luckily I was in the campground and someone saw it and brought it to me. I tried drilling the square head to safety wire it in place but it is too hard of material to drill. I think there is a design deficiency. The setscrew should have a shoulder that goes in the hole not just a design that goes up against the hole.
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LEC
RDU, NC
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Joined: 12/17/2007
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SETenn, are you having a problem with the left (driver) side or the right (curb)side?
I would guess it is the right side.
What I did was a couple of things. On the left side push the L Bracket forward while tighting. On the right side push the L Bracket to the rear while tighting. Any initial movement in the L bracket will be in the direction so it only tightens the L Bracket that much more. Think of the L Bracket as a nut on a bolt. When viewed from the backside, from the inside of the trailer tongue, the only way the bracket can turn is in a clockwise direction which only tightens it more.
The next thing I did was get a course tread grade 8 bolt and nut to replace their set screw with. If I remember correctly it is somewhere in the 5/8" to 3/4" size and about an inch longer then their set screw. Take the set screw to the hardware store and match it up. Install the nut on the bolt and then tighten the bolt into their bracket and outside link plate. Last, run the nut up against the link plate and tighten while holding the bolt. This will keep the bolt from ever backing off on you.
Anyway, mine no longer moves. Hope this helps
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colochoclab
Arvada, Colorado
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Joined: 05/24/2006
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How about lock-washers?
Gad! Why didn't I think of this before?! I'm gonna try it!
-Lab
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McKannick
Brooks, GA
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Joined: 07/23/2008
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Several possible 'fixes': Lock washers. Double-nut (or jam nut if you prefer). Locktite soulution. "Nylock" nuts with the nylon material to hold in place. Lock nuts (these will wear on the bolts if the units are assembled / disassembled very often), made for one time use.
Hope this helps you 'keep it together!'
2006 Toyota Tundra pulling 2007 Gulfstream Amerilite 21mb, Equal-i-zer hitch 
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