Delivery of 2022 International 25’ FBT

[Texarado]

Yesterday, we took delivery of our ‘22 International 25FBT with a maiden voyage over Vail Pass from Denver to Eagle. Although the creaking of the Equalizer hitch was no joke, it handled great on the freeway in Friday rush hour.

Other than missing awning remotes and a curtain that needs to be replaced because it was tattered already, it’s in great shape. First camping trip is next Friday!

[ts8501]

Originally Posted by jmslade

Yesterday, we took delivery of our ‘22 International 25FBT with a maiden voyage over Vail Pass from Denver to Eagle. Although the creaking of the Equalizer hitch was no joke, it handled great on the freeway in Friday rush hour.



Other than missing awning remotes and a curtain that needs to be replaced because it was tattered already, it’s in great shape. First camping trip is next Friday!

Picture please, or it didn’t happen [emoji6]

[Texarado]

I thought I attached!

[Acheron2010]

for the hitch...
https://smile.amazon.com/BOESHIELD-C...s%2C292&sr=8-2

[DCPAS]

Very nice! Congrats.

[Gotta_Travel]

Sweet! Congratulations!

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Also for the hitch:

Use some white lithium grease (any brand, I like spray cans) on the front end of the hitch bars.

Bob

[uraljohn]

Do not spray lubricant on the L Brackets that are attached to the frame of your AS and have the WD bars riding on them!! That will defeat the sway control of the hitch. Buy a set of Equalizer Bracket Jackets. About $20.00 for set of 2 from Equalizer.They slip onto the L Brackets and then the WD bars ride on them making the hitch much quieter. Not silent but much less moaning and groaning. Shame on your selling dealer for not selling you a set with the hitch.

Read the instruction booklet that came with your Equalizer. It will tell you how to maintain it and where to put lube and where not to ever lube.

We have 50k miles with an Equalizer. Great hitch if properly set up and maintained.

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by uraljohn

Do not spray lubricant on the L Brackets that are attached to the frame of your AS and have the WD bars riding on them!! That will defeat the sway control of the hitch. Buy a set of Equalizer Bracket Jackets. About $20.00 for set of 2 from Equalizer.They slip onto the L Brackets and then the WD bars ride on them making the hitch much quieter. Not silent but much less moaning and groaning. Shame on your selling dealer for not selling you a set with the hitch.

Read the instruction booklet that came with your Equalizer. It will tell you how to maintain it and where to put lube and where not to ever lube.

We have 50k miles with an Equalizer. Great hitch if properly set up and maintained.

Hi

... but also do not forget to lube the front end pivot section of the hitch. If you do forget, it will make a lot of noise and eventually self destruct. Lube up here, no lube back there.

Bob

[etheroner]

I agree with uraljohn's guidance.

I ordered these (see link) earlier this year and have been please by the reduction in noise. Also, they are wearing quite well after 5,000 miles of towing.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Texarado]

I’ve ordered a pair (I think different mfr) and am going to pick up the lithium grease from Ace today.

[Acheron2010]

Cut and paste from the Equalizer hitch owner's manual:

The friction surfaces of the head and sockets should be kept clean and well lubricated with a good quality multi-purpose or bearing grease. These are the surfaces where the arm sockets rub against the top and bottom plates of the head. See Figure 23. We recommend Equal-i-zer high performance lubricant.
They should be lubricated before each trip. Check for damage or abnormal wear at the beginning of each towing day and replace if necessary.
Clean dirt and road grit from all friction surfaces regularly.
All nuts and bolts should be checked before each towing day and be
tightened or replaced if necessary.

Noise:
Noise is a normal occurance when towing a trailer and using any weight distribution or sway control hitch.
The majority of hitch noise can be eliminated by lubricating the friction surfaces of the head as shown in Figure 23.
In some cases the friction on the L-brackets can generate noise. Lubricating this joint is not recommended. A better solution is a set of official Equali-zer brand Sway Bracket Jackets™. They quiet the ride and reduce wear without the mess of using a lubricant.

[Texarado]

Maiden voyage was late yesterday afternoon. More than a few newbie errors on departure and arrival. But, we made it. Lithium grease and the bracket jackets were huge improvements! I might have heard the hitch once going through the campground. But it was silent.

Still trying to diagnose the delay in the Echo brake controller. Decreasing the sensitivity while in town and increasing it on the highway seemed to be the bandaid that made it feel a bit better.

[ts8501]

We received confirmation yesterday that our new Int’l 25FBT arrived at Woodland yesterday [emoji4] We will leave for the 600+ mile journey to go get her a week from tomorrow, pickup the day after. Beyond excited 🥳

[Texarado]

Congrats!!

[Ben B]

Congrats!

[Bcc75]

Congrats
The International is a cool trailer with the new colors especially. I tow the same trailer but in a rear bed version with an Equalizer. Everything the above posts say about lubing and the bracket sleeves is correct. The pivot sleeves create a tremendous amount of heat so lubing is essential. I clean mine with a paper towel after every trip and re lube. Also do the same with the ball. Reduces wear on the ball and makes detaching much smoother.