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Open Roads Forum  >  General RVing Issues

 > How tight do you torque you equalizer hitch chains?

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alienballjr

North Dakota

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Posted: 09/15/11 09:09pm Link  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Just wondering how tight most people go? thanks

toolman1

Cerritos, CA.

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Posted: 09/15/11 09:44pm Link  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I measure the trailer ball height, before dropping the trailer tongue on it. Then, after connecting the trailer, I again measure the amount of drop, and adjust the chains accordingly. There is no set standard.


See ya out there!!
Hooliville member #128

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Rick From Sequim

Sequim, WA

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Posted: 09/15/11 10:31pm Link  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I too measure the "before drop" (before chains are installed) and the "after drop" (with tight chains). When "tighter" doesn't help, I back off one link. God Bless electric tongue jacks to make it possible to measure and connect the WD chains!!!


Rick ">
& wife Loie & Kodi Dog (blk male std poodle)
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camperpaul

Wherever I park my travel trailer

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Posted: 09/15/11 10:32pm Link  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Adjust your chains to give you "straight line" alignment between the trailer and the tow vehicle.

[image]

This is close... It's on the third link. The fourth link is too high.


Paul
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bikendan

Goodyear, Arizona

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Posted: 09/16/11 01:17am Link  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

the Equal-i-zer doesn't have chains.[emoticon]


Dan- Firefighter, Retired">, Shawn- Musician/Entrepreneur">, Zoe- Faithful Golden Retriever(RIP">), 2014 Ford F150 3.5 EcoboostMax Tow pkg, 2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255 w/4pt Equalizer and 5 Mtn. bikes and 2 Road bikes

Fizz

Ottawa, Canada

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Posted: 09/16/11 04:10am Link  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

One way to do it is to measure the distance between the top of the tire and the wheel well on the truck. When front and back are equal, it's set right.

coolmom42

Middle Tennessee

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Posted: 09/16/11 04:19am Link  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

bikendan wrote:

the Equal-i-zer doesn't have chains.[emoticon]


I was kind of thinking that.....


Single empty-nester in Middle TN, sometimes with a friend or grandchild on board

Chris Bryant

Arden, North Carolina

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Posted: 09/16/11 07:07am Link  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

It is bad that most dealers do not take the time to properly set up weight distributing hitches, or educate the customer on setup.

The answer to the question- *if* the hitch is properly set up to begin with, the bars should be tight enough that the front and rear of the tow vehicle drop the same amount, because the purpose of the hitch is to take the weight of the hitch and divide it equally between the front TV axle, the rear TV axle, and the trailer axles.
You cannot go by "links", other than you should have (on hitches that use chains) a minimum of 6 links (I like to set them up for 6 or 7 links). If the tension is not right with that number of links, the hitch head should be tilted.


-- Chris Bryant

Rick From Sequim

Sequim, WA

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Posted: 09/16/11 02:20pm Link  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

My equalizer hitch isn't an Equal-i-zer. Perhaps the OP's isn't either.

BarneyS

S.E. Lower Michigan

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Posted: 09/16/11 05:51pm Link  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Click here for detailed instructions on how to set up your weight distributing hitch.
Barney


2004 Sunnybrook Titan 30FKS TT
Hensley "Arrow" 1400# hitch (Sold)
Not towing now.
Former tow vehicles were 2016 Ram 2500 CTD, 2002 Ford F250, 7.3 PSD, 1997 Ram 2500 5.9 gas engine


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