Equal-i-zer Hitch

[dmac]

For anyone interested in the Equal-i-zer brand hitch here is some information based on my first 2000 miles. I am towing a new 2003 Airstream Safari 25 (GVWR 6300 lbs) with a 2002 Ford Explorer V8 (Tow Rating 7000 lbs) using Equal-i-zer's model 1722B 10,000 lb hitch.

1. Equal-i-zers web site (www.equalizerhitch.com) includes a calculator to determine which shank you need based on the trailer's hitch height and the tow vehicles height. It recommended the longest 105BXL12 (sometimes listed as 105BXXL12) shank for me, while I should have had the middle sized 105BL12. I am using the highest setting, and the shank limited my ground clearance to only 3". I had a machine shop cut 3" excess from the shank, giving me a comfortable 6" clearance.

2. The hitch weighs 100 lbs! Keep that in mind as it adds to your tongue weight.

3. It requires a ball with a long shank or thinner lockwasher to have enough threads to properly secure the ball nut. A standard ball/washer will not fit. It was tough to find a ball locally - I eventually found a 12,000# ball with a nylock nut that works. You may want to order a ball when you order the hitch.

4. The main casting is not machined flat where the ball attaches, but should have been. After you attach the ball the casting irregularities, weld spatter, and paint will crush slightly resulting in a loose ball. Retighten the ball frequently at first!

5. The main casting is not machined where the equalizer bars pivot, so the first few hundred turns result in groaning and clunking while the pivots grind off the casting irregulaties. Eventually the hitch "machines itself" smooth and quiets down. Keep cleaning and greasing it.

6. The brackets for the equalizer bars go all the way around the trailer's A-frame 32" back from the ball. I had to cut a slot in the battery mount to allow for this. See Brackets Also, the bolts for these brackets do not come with lock washers - so add your own or use some Lock-Tight.

7. Otherwise the hitch works fine, is easy to connect/disconnect, and no sway problems.

[john hd]

dan,

how was your first trip with the new unit?

did the dealer meet your needs and expectations?

hope you had a good holiday.

john

[dmac]

The trip went fine! Long drive!

The dealer did okay on the delivery... spent a couple hours showing me how to work everything on the trailer, and helped me hitch-up. I had to temporarily mount the weight-distributing bar brackets way forward of where they should have been for the short drive from Tampa to Bonita Springs, then I spent time drilling/cutting slots for the brackets to be properly mounted for the big drive home.

The Explorer had no problem pulling the trailer (I was nervous because most everyone on the list had BIG trucks). Even the big hills between Atlanta and Nashville were no problem. The Prodigy brake controller works great too.

Here is a photo taken in Bonita Springs, FL: Florida and another in Bayfield, WI: Bayfield . I'm storing the trailer at my vacation home in Bayfield over the winter.

[cljackson]

Hi Dan,

We are new to Airstream and are considering a '99 Safari 26' trailer which we will be towing with our '99 Expedition. We have the 4.6L engine on our Expedition, but have read that the Safarisa are lighter and we think it's within the mfg towing limits of our vehicle, although we won't know for sure until we actually weigh it. I assume you have the larger engine on your Expedition. My question is this...are the issues you have with your hitch something that is unique to this particular brand, or will we have to make these modifications on any brand we buy? Just curious, as we will need to take care of this before towing the vehicle home from Austin, should we decide to make the purchase.

Thanks,
Cheryl & Carl (Texas)

[Road Ruler]

Hi Dan...

The Florida pic looks great. Your 2002 Explorer is much improved over the previous models. The rear suspension is now independant and has improved the overall handling and ride of the Explorers. Does yours have the optional traction and stability controls? These are options that are showing up on the newer vehicles and are available on your explorer.

[JD1]

Wayne / I see you are using a Quest to tow your Airstream. Were you able to buy a hitch with a two inch receiver or is it custom? Also, what brand of hitch are you using? Does the Quest have enough power to pull a 23'er? I have seen other Mini Vans towing and was curious about it. Thankyou.

[Road Ruler]

JD..
Quest.... The hitch is a class III bolt and is from Uhaul. I reinforced it by adding additional brackets utilizing all six threaded frame inserts instead of the usual four. The fact the Uhaul design only uses 4 of the 6 inserts is disturbing. Overkill on any hitch is desirable in my opinion. Seeing class III receivers on mini vans around here is common place. A Reese twin cam with 750lb bars came with the trailer and it works very well.

V6 Power... We did not know what to expect when I first connected the 23. I had visions of putting the van in drive and having the combination just sit there and not move as if the emergency brake was on. I was pleasantly surprised when I put it in drive and the whole combination started to move even though I had not yet put my foot on the gas pedal. I knew from that moment we would be OK. The combination works well although the engine does work hard on the hills but does not slow down like an 18 wheeler would. We actually passed a GMC Topkick that was pulling a light duty flatbed last summer on a hill. At 65MPH it revs about 3200 which is good and in the power range. My next tow vehicle will have more power and will probably be another mini van. We want the good gas mileage, car like ride, and versatility.

The impressive part of our combination is the highway stability and comfortable ride.