Got Equalizer Adjusted.. Still doesn't feel right.

[DatacomGuy]

Looking for some input, help, guidance on getting my Equalizer corrected.

Upgraded to a 2015 Expedition last summer.. Moved over the hitch and made my own adjustments, but went on our first trip end of summer and had to get an emergency adjustment on the road as it was REALLY squirrelly. Anytime I was passed by anything larger than a pickup and i literally was shoved 3-5 feet sideways. Was awful. Felt much better after the adjustment (They raised the height of the ball quite a bit), but it is definitely still missing somewhere.

I still have sag, and still feel like i'm being pushed around; and the front end feels a bit unstable (wobbly?).. Definitely something amiss, the weight most certainly isn't fully distributed.

What would you look at first? I'm not really trusting RV dealerships to get it right - they couldn't on my last vehicle, and apparently not on this one either. I'm under the impression I should not have barely any sag at all, and most certainly the front end should feel more planted on the ground.

[Badlands Bob]

I'd recommend finding a level parking lot and download the setup instructions listed below and start the set up at the beginning. You'll need a tape measure, level and several wrenches. I'm willing to bet it will tow a lot better when you get it adjusted correctly.


Installation Instructions & Parts Breakdown

[DatacomGuy]

Originally Posted by Badlands Bob

I'd recommend finding a level parking lot and download the setup instructions listed below and start the set up at the beginning. You'll need a tape measure, level and several wrenches. I'm willing to bet it will tow a lot better when you get it adjusted correctly.


Installation Instructions & Parts Breakdown

Was afraid of that.. You're right, just not looking forward to that :(

[dcarver]

Try raising the L brackets on the trailer tongue. That will distribute the weight more to front.

[DatacomGuy]

Originally Posted by dcarver

Try raising the L brackets on the trailer tongue. That will distribute the weight more to front.

Great thought. Funny now that you mention it - we had to lower them for our last vehicle, totally forgot about that.

Will raise up and see where that puts us. THANKS!

[dcarver]

Haha no problem. Already done it with our new TV. Only reason I knew that lol.

[Riccochet]

hit some scales after you get things adjusted. Eye-balling only gets you so far.

[archer75]

I've setup my equalizer on two trailers and two different trucks. It's pretty easy to do.
To me it sounds like you don't have enough tension on the bars.

With the trailer parallel to the ground you measure to the top of the coupler and then set the height of the ball to the same height. Then you leave it there. If you can't get the ball to the same height of the coupler it's better to be a little low than a little high.

The L brackets should be at whatever height keeps the bars parallel to the frame when hitched up. Then you leave that alone.

The only thing left to adjust is the number of washers used on the hitch. The manual will detail the process. But what you do is measure the height of the tow vehicle wheel wells, front tire and back tire and write it down. This is unhitched.
Next hitch of the trailer but don't put on the bars yet. And then measure the wheel wells again. You'll see the rear end sagged and the front end rose up.

Then you install the bars and again take measurements at the wheel wells. That measurement should be in between the unhitched and hitched measurements. You add more washers to increase the amount of weight distribution.
Under no circumstances should the front end be lower or the rear end higher than the unhitched measurements. If they are then you need to take a washer out and repeat the process.

I try to get the front end as close to the unhitched height as I can. Though each setup is different. I would test by getting my measurements right and then towing to the campground. Then i'd add or remove a washer and make sure my measurements were still where I wanted and then drove home. I'd go with whichever felt better.

[09 harley]

The hitch you have is one of the best units made. They are pretty simple to set up. You need to measure your truck over each wheel and make sure the trailer is level. Measure from ground to bottom of trailer front and back. If there is any tilt to the trailer when towing it should be only down slightly in the front. Check the tilt of the hitch head and start with the recommended number of washers. Put the L brackets in the recommended starting position. Make sure the L brackets are spaced properly from the hitch. There is a recommended distance. Set the hitch height based on the height of the coupler.
All this and more is covered in the manual which you should follow exactly. Don't listen to one idea and then do it without doing the prior steps first. There is a sequence to the set up.
Follow the steps and then let us know the result.