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07-23-2007, 09:43 AM
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#1
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Guest
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Equalizer spring arms - what to look for
Background: New TM 3124KS, Equalizer WDH, lousy walk-through by the dealer, new to towing
My understanding: In the process of unhitching, you raise the tongue jack "until tension is relieved from the hitch bars." I am not able to see any visible change in the spring bars when I raise the jack higher. What exactly am I looking for? The arms appear to be straight at all times (no bowing). I figure I'm either looking for the wrong thing, or my hitch isn't adjusted quite right.
First time I did this, I may have even raised it too high, looking for "tension to be relieved" and then had to lower it before I could free the bars by trial and error. Tips appreciated.
Thanks for your help.
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07-23-2007, 10:36 AM
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#2
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Site Sponsor
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Blandford, MA
Posts: 1,045
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Rich,
You won't see any change in the spring bar(s). The reason for raising the tongue jack is to relieve tension on the spring bar tips making it easier to leverage (up or down) the chain.
__________________
Dick & Jeri in Western MA
2003 2720 SL
2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Limited 4x4 - V8
Albums
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07-23-2007, 12:28 PM
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#3
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Guest
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Mine has no chains, just the swinging bars that swing in to rest on bracket on the TM side, then get secured with a pin to prevent them from rotating out and off the bracket.
Maybe an Equalizer user (+ sway control) will chime in.
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07-23-2007, 01:32 PM
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#4
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Site Sponsor
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: MD
Posts: 410
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rich_in_Tampa
Mine has no chains, just the swinging bars that swing in to rest on bracket on the TM side, then get secured with a pin to prevent them from rotating out and off the bracket.
Maybe an Equalizer user (+ sway control) will chime in.
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Using the tongue jack, raise the back of the TV high enough so that the bars can be easily pulled free of the brackets on the TM.
__________________
Tim
2004 2720SL TrailManor, 2 X T105, Trimetric 2030RV, TST TPMS
2003 Tundra Access V8 2X4 w/Tow Pkg
Equal-i-zer 1000, Prodigy, McKesh, UnderCover
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07-23-2007, 01:42 PM
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#5
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Site Sponsor
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Blandford, MA
Posts: 1,045
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Sounds like you are using a weight distribution with friction sway control system. Here is a link to that type of WDH. Scroll down and click on Typical Installation Instructions. That opens a pdf file and on page 3 they describe how to hitch and unhitch a trailer.
http://www.etrailer.com/pc-WD~49580.htm
__________________
Dick & Jeri in Western MA
2003 2720 SL
2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Limited 4x4 - V8
Albums
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07-23-2007, 01:52 PM
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#6
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Guest
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rtcassel
Using the tongue jack, raise the back of the TV high enough so that the bars can be easily pulled free of the brackets on the TM.
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OK, meaning just wiggle them to see if they move freely within the limits of the clip (before removing the clip and sliding them out).
Tell me if I've got it:
Hitching:
- raise the tongue to allow the ball to fit under the coupler
- lower the tongue to fit and lock the coupler and ball
- raise the tongue with coupler and ball about 5-8"
- insert and secure the spring arms
- retract the jack all the way
- connect safety cables and electric connection
Unhitching:
- raise the tongue/ball enough to release the spring arms (per the wiggle test)
- unlatch and swing out the spring arms
- lower the tongue to the neutral point to release the ball and coupler
- unhook safety cables, electric connection
Do I get it? Forgetting anything? Thanks in advance.
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07-23-2007, 05:14 PM
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#7
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TrailManor Master
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Ada, OH
Posts: 254
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That's the way I do it Rich.
The only thing I'd add is to put some grease at the point the arms rub on their supports. I noticed that it was noisy when turning if I didn't have any grease. I also oiled the bar sockets...
Keith
__________________
Keith and Kathy
'07 Explorer 4.6 V-8 - '07 2720SL
Equal-i-zer 1000 - Prodigy - McKesh
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07-24-2007, 12:32 AM
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#8
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Site Sponsor
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: MD
Posts: 410
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you got it
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rich_in_Tampa
Tell me if I've got it:
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__________________
Tim
2004 2720SL TrailManor, 2 X T105, Trimetric 2030RV, TST TPMS
2003 Tundra Access V8 2X4 w/Tow Pkg
Equal-i-zer 1000, Prodigy, McKesh, UnderCover
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07-25-2007, 08:48 AM
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#9
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Guest
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Rich,
You probably do have it and know this but since it is not on your list.....on unhitching, after lowering to the nuetral position to release the ball and coupler you need to raise the coupler back up so you can drive the TV away from the trailer. You then raise or lower to level the trailer front to back etc.
I would add on the unhitching to Chock your wheels. Otherwise you will likely do it once (unhook without your wheels chocked) in your time camping. Most people never do it a second time. While it can be called an adventure it is the type most could do without.
Bill
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07-25-2007, 09:59 AM
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#10
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Guest
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill & Lisa
after lowering to the nuetral position to release the ball and coupler you need to raise the coupler back up so you can drive the TV away from the trailer.
I would add on the unhitching to Chock your wheels.
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Great reminders, Bill. Thanks.
The tongue jack will get a pretty good workout, I can see.
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