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Old 07-19-2015, 11:34 AM   #1
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Eaz Lift Performance

I have replaced my Hensley with an Eaz Lift and after my first couple of trips have noticed no performance changes. I tow a 30' Signature with a Jeep GC Diesel. There is a little more weight transfer to the vehicle and the Airstream was a bit lighter, but then it was only loaded for a weekend visit to the lake. I now have 1000 lb spring bars in lieu of the 1400 lb bars that were with the Hensley. I think the Airstream rides a bit smoother. The biggest change was in the hook up procedure which now seems really complicated due to the addition of a couple of sway bars and the endless insertion of pins to the whole contraption plus the sway bar tightening levers. I already miss the simplicity of hooking up the Hensley. The weight of the Hensley stinger and the Eaz Lift hitch head is about the same so the physical part of getting ready to hook up is equal. My electric drill provided the effort for the Hensley jacks where I now work the chain levers with a bar. I really beat up the Hensley and I think the Eaz Lift may be tougher. Time will tell. Jim


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Old 07-19-2015, 11:56 AM   #2
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Have had no problems with my eazlift. Prefer it to blue ox or equalizer, have owned both.
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Old 07-20-2015, 07:58 AM   #3
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Thanks for the feedback. I will get better at the hookup procedure with practice. Jim


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Old 07-20-2015, 08:18 AM   #4
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Jim, is this their new model with the bars above the frame?
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Old 07-20-2015, 01:41 PM   #5
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Jim, is this their new model with the bars above the frame?

No, it is not. Just the regular old one with two Husky friction sway bars. I was very pleased with it's performance. Jim. Click image for larger version

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Old 07-20-2015, 02:24 PM   #6
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Eat lift

Ive got over 30,000 mi and 5 years on my eaz lift and it works great. 25' FC so only one sway bar.
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Old 07-20-2015, 02:30 PM   #7
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I was hoping it was the new design. Waiting to hear how they are performing.
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Old 07-20-2015, 03:43 PM   #8
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I had the standard ole round taper bar EazLift before my Equal-i-zer.
Absolutely no complaints.
Easy installation, setup, user-friendly, and performs wonderfully for weight distribution and sway control.
Very effective, moderately low-priced hitch.
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Old 07-20-2015, 04:48 PM   #9
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I inherited an ezlift hitch with 1000 lb bars from my dad 25 years ago. Have towed 3 different 25 ft trailers over 100k miles and have hitched and unhitched over 600 times. The hitch still works great.
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Old 07-20-2015, 07:06 PM   #10
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Eaz Lift Performance

After I took the photo, I replaced the stinger with one that had additional drop in order to get the Airstream perfectly level. It was off by half an inch. Since the Jeep has a self levelling air suspension, it achieves the same attitude regardless of load. The best achievable weight distribution on the axels is determined at the scales by adjusting the links as required which I have now done. Jim


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Old 07-26-2015, 05:58 PM   #11
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Another trip, more questions. Where does one store the WD bars and hitch head when storing the Airstream! I am tempted to leave it all attached to the Airstream like the Hensley so I can avoid having to lug it all around and get myself and everything else I come near all covered with grease. I could just add some chain and lock it to the coupler lock that would also be securing the hitch head and shank. What do others do? So far I have placed all the stuff inside the Airstream but this creates more cleanup issues before departure than I like. Jim


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Old 07-26-2015, 07:25 PM   #12
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I used to store my weight bars in the outside storage compartment under the bed.


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Old 07-26-2015, 07:32 PM   #13
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I pull the head from the TV and then put it back in the hitch. Put a padlock on the hitch. Put a locking hitch pin in the head shank. This is a little more secure than a bare hitch but not by much.

I built a wooden case for the bars, tool, grease, etc. It is slightly bigger than the two nested bars. I put a 3/4" wooden skid on the hinged spine to slide it under the trailer behind the rear axle.

An old garage door handle makes it like a clunky violin case. Before you put the handle on, put the bars in and roll the case along a large dowel or pipe until it balances. Put the handle at the balance point, which is not the center.

The mess is contained.

I always put the curbside bar in the case first and take it out first, swapping left and right with each hookup to even out any wear. I know. I know. I'm ocd.
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Old 07-26-2015, 08:47 PM   #14
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Storage...

For the head and shank: I normally carry a portable propane grill. It lives in a large plastic bin. I carry a second bin of the same size. The two nest together so the second one doesn't take up any space. When I want to remove the head and leave it at the camp site, I put the second bin on the ground where I want it, drop the head in, and put a lid on the bin to keep the head clean and dry. The bin is not sturdy enough to carry when the heavy head is in it. I don't do anything to lock it up.

For the bars: I made an open top box from a piece of plywood and some 2x4s. The box is about a foot square, with an opening in one side. I keep the box in my large outside compartment. I lay the bars in the compartment with the curved greasy ends in the box. I have a lid that covers the box so nothing else gets greasy.

The box is lined with some semi-rigid plastic material I had around the house. This makes it easy to wipe the box interior clean, which I do once in a while.
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Old 07-26-2015, 10:15 PM   #15
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A tip from my then 9 year-old daughter when she saw us struggling with the greasy hitch head and bars; when you expose the grease covered ball, pop a new sandwich baggie over it. Do the same with the bars as you remove them. The bars and ball are then effectively grease-free and can be stored much more easily - we put the head and bars into the outside storage compartment at the rear of the Airstream or stow them in the back of the minivan as there's plenty of room with the third row of seats folded away.

When you need to re-fit the bars and hitch up, simply discard the used baggies. They cost a couple of dollars for a large box so there's no real expense involved; a box will last us a season or two.
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Old 07-27-2015, 04:29 AM   #16
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Thank you Wanderer, SSquared, and Steve. I am going to use a mixture of the ideas based on what I have laying around the garage. I know I have some drilled pins that will accept a lock, several locks all requiring the same key, and at least a hundred used bags that I could not throw away as per my wife's instructions. Jim


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Old 07-27-2015, 05:06 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by m.hony View Post
I used to store my weight bars in the outside storage compartment under the bed.


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Thanks m.hony. My Storage area is full of junk already. I'm afraid I would get everything covered with grease if I attempted to stick anything else in there. Good idea for over the winter. Jim


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Old 07-27-2015, 08:28 AM   #18
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Ambiguous reference. Her instructions were to throw the bags away since they contained my daily fruit ration or health cookies or other items that she deems necessary for me to consume. Now how does that make sense since I may need them in the future, like now. As Charlie would say, winning. Found my extra hitch pin and lock. Actually found a bunch of stuff. Various shanks, my old Reese Dual Cam. (Great hitch). Several CB Radios. One day, I will have to organize the garage. Retirement project I guess. Sometime in the future. Gotta make hay when the sun shines. Jim


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Old 07-27-2015, 07:08 PM   #19
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I initially thought that I would get one wearing out of the baggies but they are tougher than that. Very pleased. I will no longer complain about waisting a bag on a few grapes. JimClick image for larger version

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Old 07-27-2015, 08:18 PM   #20
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Thanks m.hony. My Storage area is full of junk already. I'm afraid I would get everything covered with grease if I attempted to stick anything else in there. Good idea for over the winter. Jim


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I wrapped the greasy ends in old towels.
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