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Old 09-14-2018, 01:27 PM   #1
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2013 25' Flying Cloud
Houston , Texas
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Easy handling equalizer hitches

Does anyone have any ideas on handling of the heavy load distribution hitches, getting on and off the tow vehicle? Mine is really heavy and killing my back when my wife and I install it and uninstall it. Is there anything made to help install or move these around or help with storage? I have a 1000 lb. cap. Equalizer hitch

Doug Haun
Flying Cloud 28
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Old 09-14-2018, 01:34 PM   #2
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Doug:
Yes, there IS something that made a world of difference for me installing my Equal-I-Zer hitch. It is called a HitchGrip HG712 Hitch Coupling Tool. It is on Amazon.com, for $25.35. What a difference this simple device makes to safely install heavy hitches. Please check tout, if you have questions, hit me back. Mike
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Old 09-14-2018, 02:11 PM   #3
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Pickup Truck Crane

Quote:
Originally Posted by haundd View Post
Does anyone have any ideas on handling of the heavy load distribution hitches, getting on and off the tow vehicle? Mine is really heavy and killing my back when my wife and I install it and uninstall it. Is there anything made to help install or move these around or help with storage? I have a 1000 lb. cap. Equalizer hitch

Doug Haun
Flying Cloud 28
Once you remove the hitch head from the receiver you could use a pickup truck crane for under $100. It mounts in the bed of your truck and you could lift the hitch head up and in.

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Old 09-14-2018, 02:28 PM   #4
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I find that the spring bars can be removed and reinstalled very quickly on my Equalizer hitch. So if I am not feeling quite up to a heavy awkward lift, I remove the spring bars before putting the hitch into the receiver--makes things much more manageable.
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Old 09-14-2018, 02:55 PM   #5
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Like Mike said...get the HitchGrip! The $25 is a rip off for a big plastic handle, and yet it's worth every penny!
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Old 09-14-2018, 06:11 PM   #6
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I have the HitchGrip and it works well, but my new Tahoe has a very high hitch, so I had to get a longer drop bar on the Equalizer, which gets in the way of the HitchGrip. The tall drop bar also made the hitch very unstable sitting on the ground. It wanted to tip over as soon as it was put down.
I had a bin of wood scraps so I got a small moving dolly on Amazon and screwed some pieces onto it to stabilize the hitch. Now I can roll it right up the the tow vehicle and just lift it in. It’s ugly and inelegant but it works well and I did it with only a couple saw cuts. When I moved my table saw etc didn’t come with me so projects are harder. I’ll try to do a photo. Would be cool if it was at the right height to just slide in.
Rich
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Old 09-14-2018, 06:12 PM   #7
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Old 09-14-2018, 06:13 PM   #8
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Old 09-14-2018, 06:15 PM   #9
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Old 09-14-2018, 06:16 PM   #10
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Old 09-14-2018, 06:16 PM   #11
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I use a 2 wheel hand dolly to move my hitch around. I roll it to the back of the truck and line it up with the receiver. When I lift it, it is strait up just about a foot. When I get home I just slide it out of the receiver lower straight down onto the hand dolly.
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Old 09-14-2018, 08:39 PM   #12
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I use a Hitchgrip on my Equalizer head and a cheap 4 wheel dolly to move it around the campsite. Just a matter of lifting out the head and then wheeling around. Saved my back.

Kelvin
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Old 09-14-2018, 09:23 PM   #13
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Hitchgrip:
It helps balance the weight. Don't drop it on your foot.
https://www.amazon.com/HitchGrip-HG7...70_&dpSrc=srch
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Old 09-14-2018, 09:27 PM   #14
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I take the bars off and made two PVC tubes using 2" PVC pipe 36" long and a cap. They remain in the truck bed.
I slide the bars in those, they don't roll around and stay clean.
I remove the bars before taking the hitch out of the receiver.
At home, I back close to the garage, slide the hitch out of the receiver and cover it with an inverted Rubbermaid tub. It lives there.

For placing the bars on the "L" brackets, connect the ball to the coupler, then raise the electric jack until the bars are just an inch or so short of the bracket. Then pop them on with the bar tool. (Should have come with the hitch.)

It is a beast, but most are.
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Old 09-14-2018, 09:36 PM   #15
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Think yours is heavy...😂

Off ?? 😏

Bob
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Old 09-15-2018, 12:58 AM   #16
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I too put in a vote for the HitchGrip as long as you do not have a very big drop on your hitch.
It takes a little practice getting it to grip the hitch at first but once you do it works great.
Anytime I need to move/adjust the hitch I use it. It holds on tighter thsn it looks like it can.

Thanks
Matti
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Old 09-15-2018, 05:08 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rg416 View Post

That is pretty creative and I can see it really hitting the mark if it had a system to lift the hitch right up to insertion height. Like a light duty floor jack.

A lot of the answer depends on how much final lifting you can do, lift from the rolling platform or no I need assistance to insert too.

RG416, Well done.

Gary
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Old 09-15-2018, 10:15 AM   #18
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How about an Anderson HITCH. i HAVE ONE - NO HEAVY BARS!
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Old 09-15-2018, 11:35 AM   #19
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How about an Anderson HITCH. i HAVE ONE - NO HEAVY BARS!
I prefer to buy my hitches and towing related equipment from someone who doesn't intentionally deface the environment.

https://www.idahostatejournal.com/me...53287525d.html
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Old 09-15-2018, 11:57 AM   #20
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I prefer to buy my hitches and towing related equipment from someone who doesn't intentionally deface the environment.



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