Equalizer hitch clearance problems

For any other newbies considering an Equal-I-zer WDH: look carefully at your installation requirements and your tongue-mounted hardware.
We bought the Equal-I-zer for our newly ordered 3124KB because we intend to carry two bikes on the factory supplied bike rack receiver on rear of the TM. We also have the 40-gallon water tank, which is located quite a bit forward of the axle. Both, of course, contribute to the possibility of sway. It's a great hitch and we are having absolutely no sway. However, there is a gotcha with this hitch and the location of the tongue-mounted data plate and emergency breakaway switch--at least on the 2006 3124KB. The Equal-I-zer instructions specify that the stabilizer bar brackets MUST be attached to the tongue at a specific location, with very little tolerance. (IIRC, it was 42" aft of the ball.) This equates to a very small space behind the breakaway switch and on top of the data plate. Both are located on the inside of the tongue.

Not wanting to void any warranties, etc. plus not having a drill, (Naturally, it was Friday night when we left with our new trailer, 200 miles from home; everybody's closed; nobody to consult, etc.), I elected not to move the breakaway switch. Bad choice. I attached the bracket at the correct location and used a couple of 1/4" spacers to clear the data plate, which is made of 3/16" aluminum plate. This was very near, but not touching the breakaway switch. The installation worked for several days and several hundred miles of towing. However, while setting up for camping and attaching shore power, we saw smoke coming from the shore power side and knew we had a problem.

Short story (so to speak) was that the bracket shifted slightly due to friction bars and rubbed through the insulation of a wire to the breakaway switch. This grounded the switch, applied the brakes and eventually burned up the switch and associated wiring. Luckily, we were stationary at the time. We took the TM back to the dealer, who diagnosed the problem, fixed it and applied for warranty, which was denied. TM's position appears to be that you really don't need a WDH with this trailer, the owner chose to install one anyway in a bad place, so this was owner error.

I understand their position and don't have any quarrel with it. However, we're new to trailering and, following this forum's advice, believe the WDH is
prudent under our circumstances. At $130, it was a cheap lesson to learn. I still think this is the best trailer we could have bought and would buy another in a heartbeat, as I would the Equal-i-zer. I'd just like to see TM move the breakaway switch and data plate, since I understand most WDHs use this area for brackets.

This is a bit embarrassing to recount, of course, but I have learned a lot at this site and would hope to save someone else an expensive lesson, just as others have done for us.

Jon and Rita