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Old 03-17-2012, 07:15 PM   #1
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First time with an Equailizer

The dealer set up the head with the ball and initial number of washers for the head tilt.

I read the instructions and set the brackets back at the rear setting and lowered the gas line under the bracket bolt on the right side.

The pivot point at the head were very stiff and I had to use the WD bar to move the pivot in the head. If that makes no sense well I am tired.

Once I got the WD bars on the L brackets and the Jack retracted. The distribution was close. A little nose down on the trailer and nose up on the trailer.

Since I was only going a short distance I left it alone.

It towed like silk! I was impressed! I had towed with the Reese Dual cam for nearly 80,000 miles. I am glad I switched.

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Old 03-17-2012, 07:18 PM   #2
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Which trailer?
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Old 03-17-2012, 07:21 PM   #3
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Old 03-17-2012, 07:24 PM   #4
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What is your TV & what size bars on the hitch?
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Old 03-17-2012, 07:29 PM   #5
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Ford F-250 Towing package.

The bars are 10,000 lb.
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Old 03-17-2012, 08:20 PM   #6
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Me Too

Having towed three Airstreams with Reese Dual Cam Sway Control for 10 years, I thought I was in love.
Then, I bought the new/used 2007 Classic Limited 30' that came with an Equalizer.
I disparagingly used it for "just one trip" until I could switch to Reese.

The Equalizer tows like a dream.
Even out on I-40 running with the big dogs.

I'm keeping it.
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Old 03-17-2012, 09:10 PM   #7
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I don't understand the basics of equalizers yet, so if anyone wants to elaborate, it's much appreciated. We are about to take delivery of a new 2012 flying cloud that comes with a Reese equalizer hitch. We have a diesel F-250 as our TV, so no problems there.... Our Sport 22 FB didn't need any special towing equipment.
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Old 03-17-2012, 10:32 PM   #8
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Just glance at the brackets that clamp your trailers frame when you walk by. Sometimes they pivot.
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Old 03-17-2012, 11:09 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by Hibby View Post
I don't understand the basics of equalizers yet, so if anyone wants to elaborate, it's much appreciated. We are about to take delivery of a new 2012 flying cloud that comes with a Reese equalizer hitch. We have a diesel F-250 as our TV, so no problems there.... Our Sport 22 FB didn't need any special towing equipment.
The easiest way to think of an equalizer is this: Imagine weight on the ball of your trailer, it will make the rear of the TV drop and the front go up, taking weight off the front steer tires. Now imagine putting two wheelbarrow handles fixed to the TV hitch so you can lift it back level. When you do that, you take weight off the rear axle and put it on the front.

Now tie the wheelbarrow handles to the frame of the trailer to hold them up. That will put the lifting force on the wheelbarrow handles back onto the trailer tires. So, the ball weight is "equalized" between the trailer, the back TV and front TV axles. The sag in the center, caused by the ball weight on the back of the trailer is gone.

Oversimplified, but easy to visualize and may help you understand things.
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Old 03-18-2012, 03:37 AM   #10
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"Equalizer" is a tradename for a form of weight Distribution hitch. "Equalizer" hitch uses friction to damp out sway, once it occurs, and the same friction resists the ability of trailer to move away from being straight behind the TV. "Reese Twin Cams" are also a weight distribution hitch system but uses the forces developed on the cams, when the trailer is not directly behind the TV, to cause the trailer to center behind the TV. There also is some friction on the cams, which acts as a dampening force.
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Old 03-18-2012, 05:53 AM   #11
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The Dual Cam is still the superior design. But not by much. Key on either it or the Equal-I-Zer is proper set-up. That can take time and is rarely done as well as could be. Experimentation is an acquired taste.
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Old 03-18-2012, 06:08 AM   #12
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Make sure you put a little grease ( I use the stuff Equalizer sells) on the pivot points in the head (page 23 or the owner's manual). Don't use it on the L brackets, friction there helps sway control. Also, make sure you check all the bolts every time you tow. They will loosen.
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Old 03-18-2012, 06:13 AM   #13
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Idroba, thanks! That helps create a clear visual. We are getting a Reese unit...
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Old 03-18-2012, 07:55 AM   #14
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Idroba, thanks! That helps create a clear visual. We are getting a Reese unit...
Reese does not make the Equal-I-Zer hitch. Reese makes the dual cam sway control.
Equal-I-Zer is made by Progress Mfg. Be careful what you order, so you don't get a surprise.
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Old 03-18-2012, 11:57 AM   #15
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The most interesting thing in this thread to me is, here is a Reese Dual Cam user, thecatsandi, who has been happy with the hitch for 80,000 miles of travel, tries an Equalizer hitch, and prefers it over the Reese.

I think in the past here someone has been piping us a line of sunshine.
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Old 03-18-2012, 11:59 AM   #16
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The most interesting thing in this thread to me is, here is a Reese Dual Cam user, thecatsandi, who has been happy with the hitch for 80,000 miles of travel, tries an Equalizer hitch, and prefers it over the Reese.
X2 I agree
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Old 03-18-2012, 12:09 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by idroba View Post
The easiest way to think of an equalizer is this: Imagine weight on the ball of your trailer, it will make the rear of the TV drop and the front go up, taking weight off the front steer tires. Now imagine putting two wheelbarrow handles fixed to the TV hitch so you can lift it back level. When you do that, you take weight off the rear axle and put it on the front.

Now tie the wheelbarrow handles to the frame of the trailer to hold them up. That will put the lifting force on the wheelbarrow handles back onto the trailer tires. So, the ball weight is "equalized" between the trailer, the back TV and front TV axles. The sag in the center, caused by the ball weight on the back of the trailer is gone.

Oversimplified, but easy to visualize and may help you understand things.
It may be simplified but the wheelbarrow analogy is the best non-technical explanation of generic weight distribution systems. The variance across brands is often the sway control method employed; friction in the case of the Equalizer - other brands of Weight Distribution systems use other methods.
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Old 03-18-2012, 01:03 PM   #18
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Likewise

Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveH View Post
The most interesting thing in this thread to me is, here is a Reese Dual Cam user, thecatsandi, who has been happy with the hitch for 80,000 miles of travel, tries an Equalizer hitch, and prefers it over the Reese.

I think in the past here someone has been piping us a line of sunshine.
Aftermath and I were having this same conversation at last year's Balloon Fiesta Rally as we watched someone struggle to hook up their HA

I couldn't be happier with my Equalizer.
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Old 03-18-2012, 01:11 PM   #19
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Michelle, glad to read that you have gone to the Equalizer. Having seen the Reese hitch you had and helped you bend it back in shape, I wondered how long you would stay with it. It looked kind of cooked to me, but I didn't really understand it.

Even when the dealer set it up badly, our Equalizer worked well. After I figured out how to adjust it, it worked better. Adjustment, which takes time to master, is important.

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Old 03-18-2012, 01:18 PM   #20
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Even when the dealer set it up badly, our Equalizer worked well. After I figured out how to adjust it, it worked better. Adjustment, which takes time to master, is important.

Gene
Gene, I believe that to be a statement that is aplicable to all weight distribution hitches.

Regards,
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