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KJRitchie · 07-31-2015, 12:54 PM

I need to repaint my head, bars and L Brackets. Do most spray or brush on the paint? Any recommendations for paint?

Kelvin

kscherzi · 07-31-2015, 04:09 PM

I'd probably use plain old rust-o-ium whenever I do it.

graysailor · 07-31-2015, 10:29 PM

This thread may answer this question. Moving up to a F250 from a F150. I believe that the receiver is a bit larger on the F250 so I was wondering if I need to get a bigger "shank" for the Equalizer? I think it is called a shank. Anyway the part that plugs into the receiver of your TV.

sheriff1 · 08-01-2015, 11:56 AM

The newer Superdutys use a 2 1\2" receiver. They come with an adapter so you can use your existing 2" but best if you upgrade the shank to 2 1\2 to reduce some of the play at the ball. I haven't done that yet as I will also have to upgrade my rocktamers to 2 1\2" as well

2015 F350 CC 4X4 6.7 Diesel
2010 27FB Silver Cloud "The Silver Spoon"

casarodante · 08-01-2015, 10:49 PM

I was reluctant to upgrade my shank to the 2 1/2" as I thought it was limit my flexibility with other vehicles. But I did upgrade because I was tired of the reducer sliding around when I was putting the hitch in.

It was funny because FedEx delivered the hitch with just a label attached.

However, after the first trip the hitch became so tight I had a VERY difficult time getting it out. Lots of wiggling and pulling.

I contacted Equal-i-zer and they said they had not heard of that (great!) but realized they make the shank with very little tolerance. They recommended I grind some off the hitch shank to help it fit.

I did and it helped get the shank in. Put the next trip it was hard again. Ground off some more. Easy to get it.

We will see after the next trip.

Rich W · 08-05-2015, 02:36 PM

So I got the new pads for the L-bracket along with the spring loaded retainers for the L-bracket (both ends). Yesterday I drove almost 400 miles and stopped for the night. I did my walk around check before dark and again this morning before leaving. Everything looked fine.

I pulled out of Wal-Mart, right turn, left turn, right turn onto the 4-lane then onto the ramp for the Interstate. I drove almost 5 miles, exited and left turn, right turn, left turn. I'm at the pump and everything seemed normal.

I started pumping gas and did my walk around. Now you may say that's needless, but when I went to the hitch the right spring arm was just dangling there. Thankfully the front pin held it in place. Oddly enough, the new retainer pin and clip were still in the L-bracket. How can that be?

I raised up the TV and put the spring arm back on and the retainer pin back in its hole. I drove another 120 miles without incident.

Has anyone else used the new spring loaded retainer pins and had the spring arm somehow slide off? I have no clue how this could have happened. There is so much tension on those arms that I don't see any way they could jump over the pin. Other side was just fine.

kscherzi · 08-05-2015, 03:00 PM

Maybe you took a really sharp turn someplace and cause the ball to slide so far forward it fell off the bracket.

subfan1 · 08-05-2015, 04:20 PM

32 inches from center of ball to center of L bracket max distance per install instructions

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SCOTTinNJ · 08-05-2015, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kscherzi

I don't know about the one above, but this socket definitly works.

Powerbuilt 643216 3/4-Inch Drive 12 Point 1-7/8-Inch Socket - - Amazon.com

I paired it with this breaker bar.

TEKTON 15207 3/4-Inch Drive x 24-Inch Breaker Bar - - Amazon.com

Inserted the hitch sideways into the receiver, then stood and jumped on the breaker bar. I weight about 170 lbs. At two feet that's 340 lbs of torque. Bouncing up and down a little more. So far the ball in on real tight and has not moved.

Just to follow up on this, I ordered these exact items and they worked like a charm. Thanks again.

Tyvekcat · 08-05-2015, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subfan1

32 inches from center of ball to center of L bracket max distance per install instructions

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Thanks subfan1, I will be checking the distance on mine tomorrow. I think they are at 32 but I couldn't remember the exact number. I wouldn't take a plugged nickel for my Equalizer

I used it for 7 years on my previous trailer and it works like a champ on the AS.
awesome thread
Have a good one !

kscherzi · 08-05-2015, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kscherzi

Maybe you took a really sharp turn someplace and cause the ball to slide so far forward it fell off the bracket.

I meant to say bar sliding off the L bracket.

Take a look at your bars to see the wear marks. There ought to be at least an inch or two of unworn bar at the end. Thats the way mine look. If there's wear very close to the end then move your L brackets closer to the hitch.

Rich W · 08-06-2015, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subfan1

32 inches from center of ball to center of L bracket max distance per install instructions

Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

That's where mine is sitting, 32". I took a sharp right turn but it's the right one that came out. Maybe right at the gas pump, the last left turn I made. It must be close and a real sharp turn must have allowed it to come out. I'll have to try a sharp turn in a parking lot and see how far the bar comes to the retainer.

Chucke · 08-11-2015, 05:27 PM

I've been looking through the thread but it is very long. Is it normal for the L pins to be distorted or bent? I see equalizer sells spares. Is this in case you loose one or do they need to be replaced if they bend a bit?

Ron A · 08-11-2015, 06:38 PM

I have not experienced any bending.

Ron

Rich W · 08-11-2015, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chucke

I've been looking through the thread but it is very long. Is it normal for the L pins to be distorted or bent? I see equalizer sells spares. Is this in case you loose one or do they need to be replaced if they bend a bit?

It never hurts to have spares. I already had a bunch of spare parts from the PO, but I got the new pins (both ends) that have a built in clip; really nice and much easier to use. Now I have 2 sets of backup pins

The pins on the L bracket have a slight bend in the metal from where it was bent to make the "L" shape. Maybe that's what you're talking about? I don't see how you could bend or warp one of those, the spring arm pressure is mostly down. There is some pressure, side to side, on turns, no where near enough to bend a pin unless maybe in an accident.

kscherzi · 08-11-2015, 10:25 PM

I recently noticed that my L pins have some noticeable wear from the bar.

m.hony · 08-12-2015, 04:46 AM

Get new L-pins every 2-3 years.
I got the new style with the flip over latch.

ROBERTSUNRUS · 08-12-2015, 05:06 AM

Hi, going on 11 years and still using the original "L" pins, with my roll pin modification. The early "L" pins were black, and crudely bent. They looked like they were made by a black smith instead of machine bent. Sometimes people think that the original "L" pins have bent, but they haven't, they just look that way.

**Rocinante** · 08-12-2015, 08:15 AM

No bending here, but we did buy an extra set of those and the cotter pins that hold the WD bars into the hitch head. We had visions of stranding ourselves by dropping a pin and being unable to find it. So, the extra set was cheap insurance.

m.hony · 08-12-2015, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, going on 11 years and still using the original "L" pins, with my roll pin modification. The early "L" pins were black, and crudely bent. They looked like they were made by a black smith instead of machine bent. Sometimes people think that the original "L" pins have bent, but they haven't, they just look that way.

The pins take away the slop and play, which takes away the wear- good idea-