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03-17-2012, 07:15 PM
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#1
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More than one rivet loose
Currently Looking...
Los Alamos
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,756
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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.
2006 31 Classic
2006 F-250 Diesel towing package
10,000lb bars
__________________
Michelle TAC MT-0
Sarah, Snowball
Looking for a 1962 Flying Cloud
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03-17-2012, 07:18 PM
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#2
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3 Rivet Member
2007 19' Safari SE
Laurel
, Montana
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 145
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Which trailer?
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03-17-2012, 07:21 PM
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#3
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More than one rivet loose
Currently Looking...
Los Alamos
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,756
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2006 31 Classic
__________________
Michelle TAC MT-0
Sarah, Snowball
Looking for a 1962 Flying Cloud
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03-17-2012, 07:24 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2002 25' Safari
Fountain Inn
, South Carolina
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 714
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What is your TV & what size bars on the hitch?
__________________
Bud
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03-17-2012, 07:29 PM
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#5
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More than one rivet loose
Currently Looking...
Los Alamos
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,756
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Ford F-250 Towing package.
The bars are 10,000 lb.
__________________
Michelle TAC MT-0
Sarah, Snowball
Looking for a 1962 Flying Cloud
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03-17-2012, 08:20 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2019 27' Flying Cloud
Albuquerque
, New Mexico
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,917
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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.
__________________
Ken L 2019 Flying Cloud 27FB
2020 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab 6.2L Max Tow Four Corners Unit WBCCI #5783
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03-17-2012, 09:10 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2018 33' Classic
2015 30' FB FC Bunk
2012 30' Flying Cloud
Grand Rabbits
, Michigan
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 612
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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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Hibby
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03-17-2012, 10:32 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1960 22' Safari
in the wilderness
, The great Mojave Desert
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,077
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Just glance at the brackets that clamp your trailers frame when you walk by. Sometimes they pivot.
__________________
I'd rather be boon docking in the desert.
WBCCI 3344 FCU
AIR# 13896
CA 4
Yes, we have courtesy parking for you. About an hour North of Los Angeles.
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03-17-2012, 11:09 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1974 Argosy 20
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Kooskia
, Idaho
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,591
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hibby
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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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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03-18-2012, 03:37 AM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1977 31' Sovereign
1963 26' Overlander
1989 34' Excella
Johnsburg
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,944
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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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03-18-2012, 05:53 AM
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#11
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Vintage Kin
Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,014
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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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03-18-2012, 06:08 AM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1968 24' Tradewind
Oxford,
, Mississippi
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 1,564
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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.
__________________
__________________
Bruce & Rachel
__________________
68 Trade Wind
2001 Toyota Tundra
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03-18-2012, 06:13 AM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2018 33' Classic
2015 30' FB FC Bunk
2012 30' Flying Cloud
Grand Rabbits
, Michigan
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 612
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Idroba, thanks! That helps create a clear visual. We are getting a Reese unit...
__________________
Hibby
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03-18-2012, 07:55 AM
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#14
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
.
, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hibby
Idroba, thanks! That helps create a clear visual. We are getting a Reese unit...
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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.
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
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03-18-2012, 11:57 AM
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#15
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Rivet Master
2005 39' Land Yacht 390 XL 396
Common Sense
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,319
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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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03-18-2012, 11:59 AM
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#16
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Rivet Master
2002 25' Safari
Fountain Inn
, South Carolina
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 714
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveH
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.
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X2 I agree
__________________
Bud
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03-18-2012, 12:09 PM
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#17
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Rivet Master
2011 28' International
Chatham
, Ontario
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,401
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Quote:
Originally Posted by idroba
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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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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03-18-2012, 01:03 PM
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#18
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Rivet Master
2019 27' Flying Cloud
Albuquerque
, New Mexico
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,917
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Likewise
Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveH
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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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.
__________________
Ken L 2019 Flying Cloud 27FB
2020 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab 6.2L Max Tow Four Corners Unit WBCCI #5783
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03-18-2012, 01:11 PM
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#19
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Master of Universe
2008 25' Safari FB SE
Grand Junction
, Colorado
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 12,702
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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.
Gene
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03-18-2012, 01:18 PM
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#20
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Rivet Master
2005 39' Land Yacht 390 XL 396
Common Sense
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,319
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CrawfordGene
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
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Gene, I believe that to be a statement that is aplicable to all weight distribution hitches.
Regards,
Steve
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