Load Equalizer

[tmarz]

Some years ago the tongue weight on the trailer I had at that time, was just fine for my G20 Chevy and my load equalizer literaly lifted and leveled the rear of the tow vehicle. Now I've got me a 24 ft. Mallard with more tongue weight and when I hook up,  the Chevy rear goes down maybe 5-6 inches. (I'm sure the G20 is actually too small for my rig.) When I hook up the equalizer, it doesn't lift the rear end like the old one, obviously. But it occured to me, when I hooked up years ago, I did so After the jack was off the ground, and all the weight was on the hitch.  Is that the right way or should you hook up sooner when you've got some weight on the hitch and you've only dropped the rear a couple inches ? I guess I'm just wondering if there is a right and a wrong way to  hook up. By the way, my leverasge bar is only 18" in length. Would appreciate anyone's input. Ahasbeen sez  THANKS!

[glen54737]

Yes hook up the equalizer right after you put the weight onto the ball just make sure the latch is closed. the more weight you put on the ball the more you have to lift to get the equalizer in the right position.

[Carl L]

On most hitches you should use the trailer jack to de-tension the spring bars when you hitch up.  You simply raise the rear end of the truck, install the spring bars, attach the lift chains at the proper link*.   Raise each chain lift in turn with your leverage tool.  If the bar tension is too heavy to lift easily, simply raise the truck higher with the hitch jack.   Snap the lifts in to the locked position.   Lower truck rear by raising hitch jack to travel position.  You are done.

I use a 36" piece of 3/4 inch GI pipe for a leverage tool and a heavy duty electric hitch jack to speed things along in this procedure.  Hensley Arrow and Equal-I-Zer brand systems use a different hitching procedure -- see their manuals or websites.

*The procedure for determining the proper chain link is in our library.

You may find that you need spring bars of a heavier rating with your new trailer.   Determine the trailer's actual hitch weight with a scale and get spring bar with a tension rating above that weight.  My trailer TW is 750#.  My bars rate at 1000#.

 

[tmarz]

Thanks Glen for your input! And Carl, I thank you for some industrial-strength info. You have really given a good explanation of how a WD hitch-up is to be done.. Your advice is well taken. Thanks again.