Visit our Popular Forums

Chucke · 08-14-2015, 07:24 PM

Here's a photo of one of my pins.

Click image for larger version

Name: image.jpg
Views: 166
Size: 353.8 KB
ID: 245494

m.hony · 08-14-2015, 08:27 PM

Mine show a little wear, but no bending.

Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

KJRitchie · 08-15-2015, 04:30 PM

Was that bent pin caused by a specific maneuver; tight turn, a steep dip, backing up?

Or did it occur over time?

Kelvin

m.hony · 08-15-2015, 09:01 PM

Just did a quick 624 mile trip-
Equal-i-zer performed beautifully- as did the entire rig-

Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

Chucke · 08-16-2015, 09:23 AM

I don't know when or how it happened. I am the new owner as of last May. I noticed that they seemed bent after reading this thread. I just purchased two new ones. I'll see if I can feel a difference.

ROBERTSUNRUS · 08-16-2015, 02:14 PM

Hi, we made it to Montreal, Canada and I believe this is the third time that I re-greased my hitch head on this trip.

KJRitchie · 08-16-2015, 03:18 PM

So you made it through Canadian customs intact this time. Have a great time.

I recently disassembled my Equalizer head, cleaned it off of grease and rust spots and painted it and the bars. Got new L pins and sockets pins. Hitched up the AS to test the brake controller adjustments on my new Ram 2500 CTD CC. Just drove around the storage yard and set up the controller gain. Making twisty turns around the storage buildings to the open areas I heard no popping, creaking.

Kelvin

KJRitchie · 08-16-2015, 03:24 PM

With my new Ram my Equalizer head doesn't have enough drop so the top of the ball is level with the coupler of the trailer so when on WD the trailer rides a couple of inches too high. I have a new 2 1/2" shank (12"/6" drop) on order but I'm not sure it will arrive by Friday to install prior to a weekend camping trip.

Is it safe to tow the Airstream if its slightly high on the tongue? The campground is less than an hour a way. Will there be too much weight on the rear axle of the trailer towing like this. I'm tempted to abort the weekend trip.

Kelvin

Ron A · 08-16-2015, 05:32 PM

I would think a slight difference would be fine. However, my definition of slight difference could be very different than yours. Perhaps if you post a photo others with more experience could give you some good feedback.

casarodante · 08-16-2015, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJRitchie

Is it safe to tow the Airstream if its slightly high on the tongue? The campground is less than an hour a way. Will there be too much weight on the rear axle of the trailer towing like this. I'm tempted to abort the weekend trip.

Kelvin

Keep an eye on your rear tires. I think I messed up my Marathon's treadwise by towing too high for too long.

**GCinSC2** · 08-16-2015, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chucke

I don't know when or how it happened. I am the new owner as of last May. I noticed that they seemed bent after reading this thread. I just purchased two new ones. I'll see if I can feel a difference.

Chucke,

Any chance you could measure where your brackets on the on the tounge vs manual recommendations?

I curious if they are too close to the hitch head and are getting bent.

My L keepers have not bent.

Gary

m.hony · 08-16-2015, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJRitchie

With my new Ram my Equalizer head doesn't have enough drop so the top of the ball is level with the coupler of the trailer so when on WD the trailer rides a couple of inches too high. I have a new 2 1/2" shank (12"/6" drop) on order but I'm not sure it will arrive by Friday to install prior to a weekend camping trip.

Is it safe to tow the Airstream if its slightly high on the tongue? The campground is less than an hour a way. Will there be too much weight on the rear axle of the trailer towing like this. I'm tempted to abort the weekend trip.

Kelvin

Nose high is bad, umkay-
Nose high causes sway.

Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

KJRitchie · 08-17-2015, 08:36 AM

I should've taken a photo but the angle of the Airstream relative to the truck is noticeable. The tires on my Airstream are Michelin 235/70x15 which have a max inllation of 50lbs which is where I keep them. The rear tires seem to have a bit more squat on them.

I think I will cancel my reservation unless I can get a confirmation it will arrive by Thursday.

Kelvin

KJRitchie · 08-20-2015, 09:32 PM

Got my 12"/6" drop 2 1/2" shank. Attached the head on the lowest holes. Top of ball is now even with the top of the AS coupler.
Kelvin

m.hony · 08-21-2015, 03:23 AM

Woohoo!
That boy's goin' campin'!

KJRitchie · 08-21-2015, 07:22 AM

Decided to cancel this weekend's trip. I need to hitch up the trailer at storage then tow it to a level surface and verify the WD. I'd like to take it on a test drive to get used to towing with my new Ram. Weather forecast is spotty too. I've got a reservation for next month.

It would've been nice if this shank had one more hole. I guess conventional trailer tongues are higher than Airstreams when they are level. Not sure why these 2500 4x4 trucks have to be so much higher off the ground vs 1/2T 4x4 trucks.

Kelvin

SMLJeep · 08-22-2015, 01:52 PM

I think the answer is for the load capacity and the coil springs. That and everything is better when it's bigger!!

We just bought a 2015 Ram 2500 and also had to get the 2 1/2" shank with the 6" drop. We have a FC 23FB and would of liked to have more drop. The nice guy at Equal-i-zer said the 6" drop would work and my only other option was to get the 2" shank with more drop and use the sleeve that came this the Ram. I put my 2" shank and sleeve in the Ram's receiver and the slope was terrible. I put the head on the new shank today and I'm only 1/2" to high. Looks like it will work but now I have to get to a shop that can torque the bolt to the 320 ft lbs and tow the AS to a flat level parking lot to take measurements.

chaseav · 08-29-2015, 08:52 PM

Alright, so for some reason my trailer and truck rig up doesn't seem to be as level as it once was. The trailer seems to be tipping forward more. I'm not at all familiar with my E2's inner workings... is there something that I can do to adjust it?

m.hony · 08-30-2015, 05:02 AM

I'm not at all familiar with the E2, but with the regular Equal-I-zer you can add a washer (tilt the hitch head back a little more) and/or raise the L-brackets to create more lift.
A little nose down won't hurt a thing as far as safety and performance, but may not look good to you.
A little nose up is dangerous and will cause sway- too little tongue weight is bad-
A trailer can teach us about how our attitudes should be- nose up is bad-

SMLJeep · 08-30-2015, 06:07 AM

I have the opposite issue with my new Ram 2500. I have the 2 1/2"shank with the max drop that Equal-i-zer said would work. When I hitched up the AS and took measurement as outlined in the installation manual the front fender on the Ram didn't move with/without the WD bars installed. The rear fender went down 3/4" with/without the WD bars installed. The AS is 3" higher at the front then when it is unhitched and level font to back. I can't drop the ball any lower. Will this be an problem. Have others had the same issue with 3/4 ton trucks with the 2 1/2" receivers.