Equalizer hitch stress

[Rbphoto]

I'm in a 27FB and am wondering if I'm backing over a 8" curb 1 wheel at a time is it better to disconnect the equalizer hitch to reduce the torque stress to the frame.

[Sphere Guy]

Rbphoto, I have a 2008 23 Safari and After hearing all the groans and grunts while backing over a curb and up a slight grade at my home, I now, always line up, then remove me Equalizer bars, then back into the driveway.

I think there is undue stress applied to the A-Frame and TV hitch.

Thankfully, not rivets have poped.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Rbphoto

I'm in a 27FB and am wondering if I'm backing over a 8" curb 1 wheel at a time is it better to disconnect the equalizer hitch to reduce the torque stress to the frame.

Remove the bars.

Then, add a small ramp next to the curb, so that you minimize the stresses.

Andy

[redwoodguy]

Originally Posted by Rbphoto

I'm in a 27FB and am wondering if I'm backing over a 8" curb 1 wheel at a time is it better to disconnect the equalizer hitch to reduce the torque stress to the frame.

I can just imagine the SOUND that must make! :-)

[JBinKC]

You'll bend the L-brackets when you turn too tightly, I've found out. The Windish RV service manager told me to take off the bars when making aggressive turns during parking.

[StreamRollin]

What about the sway bar control? Should that be removed also?

[kevin242]

Originally Posted by StreamRollin

What about the sway bar control? Should that be removed also?

I remove mine at the same time I remove the bars. I figure sway is not an issue by this time.

[CrawfordGene]

Backing over an 8" curb sounds like a really bad idea without or with the bars. Like Andy wrote, use ramps to reduce stresses on the trailer. If you don't have ramps, scrap wood piled up may help, though it may collapse as you back up. Make sure you don't hit anything underneath the trailer as you climb that curb.

Gene

[REDNAX]

Ramps from pressure-treat wood, sand-bags, etc, all sorts of "easy" solutions are possible.

[JimGolden]

With mine, I run the jack way out, raising the tongue up high to offload the stress on the bars.

Then I pull the bars out of the L-brackets and swing them up parallel to the truck bumper so they won't strike the trailer no matter how sharply I turn while backing up. Then lower the trailer back down and retract the jack up and away.

Now I'm on just the ball and can jack knife it to my heart's content

You don't need the weight distribution or the antisway when you're in your driveway. Just run her on the ball and that way you don't overstress your A-frame.

cheers,

[mefly2]

Originally Posted by JimGolden

With mine, I run the jack way out, raising the tongue up high to offload the stress on the bars.

Then I pull the bars out of the L-brackets and swing them up parallel to the truck bumper so they won't strike the trailer no matter how sharply I turn while backing up. Then lower the trailer back down and retract the jack up and away.

Now I'm on just the ball and can jack knife it to my heart's content

Just run her on the ball and that way you don't overstress your A-frame.

cheers,

That is how we do it as well ... but had to figure it our trial and error ... why didn't I read it here first !!!

[Splitrock]

I've heard that backing over a curb is a quick way to remove leveling jacks, gas lines, and certain sections of the belly pan.