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Topic Closedweight distribution/equilizer hitch
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ToolmanJohn View Drop Down
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Posts: 451 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: weight distribution/equilizer hitch
    Posted: 31 Dec 2017 at 10:00am
Originally posted by NAP1947

We don’t pickup our 179 until April but I have invested in an Anderson WDH as it includes sway control, means less weight for an old F—t to handle and very easy hook up and disconnect.  
I am also considering the electronic anti-sway control that Stephen recommended for his very good point that if sway gets going I would probably not have time/presence of mind to use the manual brake activation on the Techonsha brake control.

The Andersen will work great for the R-Pod, and light travel trailers in general.  I used one for a little over a year of R-Pod camping, and it definitely dampens the vertical bounciness "porpoising" from tongue weight.

 I also never had sway issues, whether not using any sway control devices, or a friction style sway control, or the Andersen WD system. 

 I only bought the Andersen because of the ease of setup (clamp on frame brackets), lighter weight, and ease of connecting (electric tongue jack). It isn't cheap when new.
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NAP1947 View Drop Down
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Posts: 72 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Dec 2017 at 6:42am
We don’t pickup our 179 until April but I have invested in an Anderson WDH as it includes sway control, means less weight for an old F—t to handle and very easy hook up and disconnect.  
I am also considering the electronic anti-sway control that Stephen recommended for his very good point that if sway gets going I would probably not have time/presence of mind to use the manual brake activation on the Techonsha brake control.
Susan and Norm
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lostagain View Drop Down
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Posts: 2587 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Dec 2017 at 1:23pm
If you have an E2 Fastway WDH, best to read the instructions.  https://www.fastwaytrailer.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/e2_trunnion_instructions_0212.pdf

At part 5, Installation of the Spring Arms, at f. and g. they explain the lubrication needed:

  1. Frequently apply a small amount of bearing grease to the trunnion knuckles and retainer pins in the hitch head to reduce wear and make insertion easier. is will also help reduce hitch noise.

  2. It is not necessary to apply lubricant to the joint where the spring arms rest on the L-bracket. is may decrease the amount of friction at this joint which could prevent the hitch from dampening trailer sway as well as possible. 
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SC for Huskers View Drop Down
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Posts: 144 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Dec 2017 at 11:11am
Last summer I too noticed a noise coming from my hitch.  I was in a parking lot and asked a passerby if he would listen and tell me where the noise was coming from.  I have the same equalizer and plastic rub platforms. He said it was coming from where bars rotate. I oiled the pivots and the noise disappeared.  When I got home I greased the pivots and haven't heard the noise since.  It is hard to grease, but well worth the attempt.
Happy Traveling,
Tom
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Posts: 6289 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Dec 2017 at 10:32am
Yes, the Equal-i-zer has the Sway Bracket Jackets available. However, they are not for the E2 hitch. I agree with not greasing the L brackets on the E2.
StephenH
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riotkayak284 View Drop Down
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Posts: 162 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Dec 2017 at 8:43am
Never grease the friction pads.... 
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David and Danette View Drop Down
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Posts: 1215 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Dec 2017 at 3:39am
   I agree with the other campers you talked to that it is normal. If it is a Equalizer hitch there are hard plastic pads you can buy that help to quite the friction points where the metal bars slide against the L brackets. Check amazon.com they are about $20.00 for a pair.
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Richand Cindy View Drop Down
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Posts: 328 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Dec 2017 at 5:24pm
We have the Equalizer E2 and it started grinding.  Read the instructions and you are supposed to grease it after every trip. As mjirpod says not on the bars just where the bars attach to the hitch,  No more grinding and no more scratching.  I could have ruined it.  Just got some white grease at home depot
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mjlrpod View Drop Down
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Posts: 1214 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Dec 2017 at 1:14pm
I've been told never ever put lube on the friction bars on the camper side, or there is not any friction to control sway. But on the hitch side, I grease the ball, and both trunnions top and bottoms posts. I dont get any noise out of my E2 WDH.
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GlueGuy View Drop Down
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Posts: 2630 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Dec 2017 at 12:18pm
What kind of WDH is it? Chains or trunnion bars? The E2 hitch is a trunnion style, and it will make noise at low speeds. I usually put a dab of lube on it before each pull.
bp
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