Equalizer Hitch: SLOP of Shank into Receiver

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by Ag&Au

Bob,

Having been around boats since early childhood, I can guarantee that you found the wrong solution for the rattle. The proper and only correct solution is to buy a much bigger and heavier boat.

Ken

Ken,

No guarantee needed....I've found my LAST boat.


Tongue weight solution.....tractor wheel weight under the spare.....
2500lb rig with 270lb TW...

I too have a boating history.....


Bob

[Ag&Au]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

Ken,

No guarantee needed....I've found my LAST boat.

Tongue weight solution.....tractor wheel weight under the spare.....
I too have a boating history.....

Bob

That is a very nice boat indeed.

My grandfather and uncle were lighthouse keepers until the Coast Guard took them over. My grandfather retired and my Uncle became a CPO in the Coast Guard. So my dad was well indoctrinated in boating. Compared to yours, my dad's boats were slow and clunky, but very seaworthy.

I guess I better stop messing around on Ray's Thread.

Ken

[MelGoddard]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

.......TowBeast Class 5- 2.65" welded insert, 2.10"
Hensley stinger 2.03"
Boat stinger 2.04"

With the AS tongue weight of 1100-1200lb, never any noise or other indication of 'slop'.

With the boat TW of 275lb very noticeable banging over bumps & turning, hence the StowAway hitch tightener.

At the Chevy Store I had quite a few commercial customers,(who never removed their stinger), who were glad they had 'slop', after going thru several WNY Winters.
Even with the 'slop' I recall many rusted to the point of permanence.

Bob

That's one of the reasons that I lubricate the shank.

[ROBERT CROSS]

....or just take it out.

Bob

[Coaster]

There is a lot of slop in my f150 receiver . Up and down left and right, I also used a stowaway hitch tightener with mixed results. So it was time for oil and rotation of tires so I decided to show the slop in the warranty department. My truck had 31000 miles on it so to my surprise they are going to replace the receiver I think they said that the bumper is part of the system. I was very surprised and happy that no questions were asked . Just waiting it might come in today. You gotta love ford.

[m.hony]

The plate on my hitch tightener is bent, too.
I just kept tightening until eventually it didn't need any further tightening.
I still check it every time I drop the trailer at a campsite.
I think even with a brand new receiver you will need the hitch tightener.

[GCinSC2]

Coaster,

What is the piece in the gloved hand?

[m.hony]

That is a piece of flat steel with a bend at one side that the u-bolt goes through on the hitch tightener.
I guess the flat part is supposed to go under the receiver and the turned up part is supposed to go under the shank.

[Coaster]

The flat is part of the stowaway hitch it's about 2 years in use . I've cranked the nuts hard at times because after a tow sometimes it's not as tight. I'm adding a modification to it and considering get a new hitch. It's the one that came with the trailer . It has seen plenty of use as my trailer is a 2006.

[m.hony]

It will eventually stay tight and need no further tightening.
I think the flt piece of steel is bent due to an 8,800# trailer jerking and snatching on it while bumping on down the rough highways.

[Ray Eklund]

Towing Issues & Vehicles
www.outbackers.com
Equalizer Problem (pinned with 73 replies and 18,845 views)

This began 29 July 2007 and bad L Brackets. The last 28 July 2013.

This is just a FYI concerning Equalizer Hitches and other brand of Trailer owners using them. Many photographs and a discussion much like some on this Forum.

[Ray Eklund]

Outback RV Owners Forum post to an Equalizer Hitch Thread:

Update with new condition......I recently towed from Michigan to Colorado using the spacer with my 12K Equil-I-zer. Estimate that we towed about 3200 miles for this trip. I noticed that the Ford spacer was getting harder and harder to remove from the 2.5" hitch, then to the point I couldn't get it out without forcing with hammer and vice grips. To make the story short, my 2.5 hitch is deformed from the movement allowed by the slop in the system using the spacer. Being that my 350 is only a few months old, I held Ford accountable asking for their review as a warranty issue as they say towing like this is acceptable. Ford is covering the replacement of the hitch and the spacer. I will no longer be using the spacer for towing our RV, only for light duty utility trailers around town..... I have adapted the 12k EQ to the 2.5" drawbar. Stay tuned as that will be "up for sale" soon as we are in process of ordering a 5th wheel...... Anybody want a 2012 301BQ???

[m.hony]

A hitch tightener/anti rattle device would have prevented that.


Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums

[Boxite]

This reminds me of the old adage, "Measure it with a micrometer. Mark it with a grease-pencil. Cut it with a hatchet."

The multi-millions of hitches towing around out there with the designed amount of unimportant slop is truly frightening...I suppose there's a lawyer awaiting in the wings for that bodacious lawsuit...if only someone could show where some harm is due to a horrific non- problem...

[sheriff1]

Actually there is a problem with the 2 1/2" in using the adapter. I towed our 27' from Florida to Nevada using it and there was enough slop/torque to actually bend a Master brand locking hitch pin. Replaced the stinger with the proper 2 1/2" stinger, no problem since. Others have experienced the same thing.


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

[Ray Eklund]

I will be getting the 2 1/2" hitch and avoid the extra slop with the adapter.

I had inserted stainless steel into the slop on this last trip and it appeared someone had taken a hammer and distorted the edges outward. Obviously something not good is happening while towing on unlevel roads!

[Zak]

Hey AStreamers, those of you that are pulling a 30' Classic can you tell me the best hitch? Colonial says the Hensley.

Thanks, Zak

[m.hony]

If you want a Hensley, get a ProPride- the "new improved" Hensley.
I still use the Equal-i-zer Original 4-point Sway Control hitch.
I had an EazLift.
I think they are all good and do a job.
Some have quirks and peculiarities and get approval or disapproval based on that.
If you have $2,300, get a ProPride 3P.
I ain't got $2,300...

[Adiredneck]

Zak - what will you be towing it with?

[Ray Eklund]

Tried last week to order a 2 1/2" hitch to convert from my current 2" hitch.

Etrailer.com is out of stock of the EQ90-02-4700 and will have stock by the end of September 2016. ($139.95 'free shipping')

One may be found on EBay or some other source, but I am patient and will sit on this until they become available.