Equal-I-Zer hitch, more washers make it impossible to hitch

[archer75]

I've towed successfully with the 10k equal-i-zer and my nissan titan. I had it setup perfectly. Then I got a new truck, Ram 2500, and a trailer that sits higher. Now I find it extremely difficult to hitch and unhitch. The more spacer washers I use the more difficult or impossible it is. I currently am using only a single washer and it's still challenging to get the coupler engaged and even more difficult to get it off. I've moved the L bar brackets as far up as I can. The arms are not even remotely parallel to the frame now but it's the only way I can get enough weight distribution without the use of more washers.
I am using the equal-i-zer grease on the hitch ball.

Is there any way to use more washers and make it easier to couple/decouple?

[rideandslide]

Pictures Please !!!!

[rideandslide]

You can't move the shank up or down, flip over if necessary ?

[tuffr2]

I kinda ran into this issue on an old rig that I had. I could not easily get it unhooked and often times had to give it a good kick. I never figured it out before I traded it in.

I will be watching this thread as I too would like to understand what the issue was.

Thanks for posting this question.

[archer75]

Originally Posted by rideandslide

You can't move the shank up or down, flip over if necessary ?

The shank is fine. The trailer is level. And I have plenty of room for adjustment which I have tested on different positions in order to keep the trailer level.

[justafordguy]

So are you having a problem getting the bars up onto the L brackets?

[archer75]

No, the bars are fine. Its getting the coupler to lock on the ball thats the problem.

[tuffr2]

Agian...I had kinda the same issue. I had to be really careful not to be too far forward or too far back. I was use to hooking up a boat which was much more forgiving.

[justafordguy]

Originally Posted by archer75

No, the bars are fine. Its getting the coupler to lock on the ball thats the problem.

Oh, that's odd. I never had that problem with my equalizer hitch. I wonder if there is any adjustment of the coupler itself?

[rideandslide]

Is this a new trailer ?

[archer75]

Originally Posted by rideandslide

Is this a new trailer ?

yes.

[archer75]

I found the issue though. The truck has to be perfectly aligned with the trailer or it won't couple.
My driveway isn't a rectangle. One side is straight but the other side with the trailer is only straight half way. And then it cuts inward. The trailer sits in the straight part of that section. So typically I have the truck matching the angle of the driveway when hitching up so that it will stay on the driveway. Maybe a 30 degree angle to the trailer
Today I backed it straight up and in so one side of the truck was on the driveway and the other side was sitting in some rocks just off the driveway but this kept the truck straight in relation to the trailer. The driveway does slope down slightly in that direction.

Anyways, it coupled right up super easy with 5 washers. I have good weight distribution and the trailer sits nose down about half an inch. Maybe less.

However, the bars are not parallel to the frame of the trailer at all. If I move the L brackets down 1 notch I don’t have enough weight distribution but the bars would be parallel to the frame. And if I add a 6th washer then the coupler will not latch at all.

How critical is it that the bars be parallel to the trailer frame?

[rideandslide]

Just my thinking here, but what does the number of spacer washers have to do the hitch coupler latching ???? It should just effect the head angle relating to your WDH bars.

I'm i thinking correctly ?????

[archer75]

It changes the angle of the ball inside the coupler. More angle makes it more difficult for the latch to get underneath the ball while it's insider the coupler.
I don't know. It's just how it is.