Equal-i-zer WDH questions

[RonRN18]

I've owned my trailer now for a little over 3 years now. When I bought it, I went with the Equal-i-zer weight distribution hitch setup. For the most part, I've left the hitch setup alone and only had the dealer tighten up the bolts holding the tension bars. I have put grease on the otherwise metal-on-metal moving parts but it after a couple of uses, the bolts seem to be too loose. I find that the owner's manual doesn't say much about this aspect of the hitch but I believe I'm seeing labels that say that they should be tightened to a minimum of 60 ft-lbs of torque. While I have torque wrenches for smaller uses, I went and bought the IKON click-style torque wrench that handles from 50-250 ft-lbs on a 1/2" drive and some large sockets to go with it. I find that the bolt to tighten these down is a 15/16". I set the torque wrench to 60 ft-lbs and tried to tighten it up. I never heard any click but I tried to put a bar in its slot and I couldn't get it to budge unless I used my entire 280 pounds of body weight against the far tip of the bar. I was doing this with the hitch sitting in its receiver on my trunk but the trailer was NOT attached.

I am hoping that my brand-new IKON torque wrench is in the ballpark of accurate and works, but I never heard/felt a click (hoping it didn't turn out to be an over-priced breaker bar). I am hoping that I am supposed to set it to 60 ft-lbs, as I believe I read from a label.

If anyone has any insight on this, I'd love to hear it.

[allenb12]

My click torque wrench is not very loud. You really have to listen. Maybe try setting it to a lower torque and see if you hear it.

[TeachTexas]

Directly from the Equalizer owners manual;


Setup:

WARNING
Never tow with loose socket bolts. Tighten socket bolts to a minimum of
60 ft-lbs torque before each towing session.

NOTICE Do not pound directly on the sockets to move them. Pounding may cause
the sockets to crack or chip. Use only the lever force of the spring arm to
move tight sockets. Loosen the socket bolt if required. Re-tighten them
once the socket has been moved.

[Mordecai]

I stopped trying to use my torque wrench on the socket bolts. I now use a straight bar and after greasing the friction points tighten the bolts so I have to give a moderate shove to more the spring bars.
I found that a given amount of torque, say 80 lbs, didn't give a consistent force result on the bars, depending on how well the friction points were greased.

[Mordecai]

BTW. I'm 155 lbs so a moderate shove for me will of course vary with a larger gent.

[Rexlion]

When I torque lug nuts to 85 ft lb, I feel and hear a click, and it isn't taking anywhere close to all my weight" (150 lbs) or all my strength to get there. Your wrench doesn't sound like it's working (or set?) correctly.

[Persistent]

Military and industrial organizations require all torque wrenches be calibrated before use. They do not trust the manufacturer.

Your wrench seems to be NOT correct. It should take about 30 pounds on a two foot wrench to apply 60 foot pounds. It would be 45 pounds for a 1.5 foot wrench.

I have a click type torque wrench. I needed 90 Ft Pounds to tighten WDH mounting bolts. It work fine until it didn't.

Not thinking straight I increased the force until the brackets bent. Later the wrench started working again. I now spend a little time estimating what force is expected before applying force.

If you have applied 250 foot pounds to critical 60 foot pounds mounting bolts, you may wish to replace them. Get exact replacements from the manufacture unless you know how to select proper replacements.

I wish you good luck and happy trails ahead!

[Cumminsfan]

Another reason I hated my EQ when I had one. Constant tweaking and greasy.

[vroom_vroom]

Originally Posted by Persistent

Military and industrial organizations require all torque wrenches be calibrated before use. They do not trust the manufacturer.

Your wrench seems to be NOT correct. It should take about 30 pounds on a two foot wrench to apply 60 foot pounds. It would be 45 pounds for a 1.5 foot wrench.

I have a click type torque wrench. I needed 90 Ft Pounds to tighten WDH mounting bolts. It work fine until it didn't.

Not thinking straight I increased the force until the brackets bent. Later the wrench started working again. I now spend a little time estimating what force is expected before applying force.

If you have applied 250 foot pounds to critical 60 foot pounds mounting bolts, you may wish to replace them. Get exact replacements from the manufacture unless you know how to select proper replacements.

I wish you good luck and happy trails ahead!

I have an el cheap o click style that operate the same way. Sometimes it works sometimes it never clicks. Fortunately I have a nice 3/4 that is total overkill but works every time. I use the other for a bs breaker.