| Problem | Possible Cause | Suggested Correction |
| Trailer Sway Remember that trailer sway is caused by the combined vehicle (tow vehicle/trailer) configuration, loading, or outside forces. If you are unsure what may be causing your sway issues, contact your dealer or Equal-i-zer hitch customer support for assistance. | Light tongue weight | Get gross trailer weight (GTW) and tongue weight (TW). Tongue weight should be at least 10% of GTW. Follow trailer manufacturer’s guidelines for tongue weight. Reposition load in trailer as needed to achieve correct TW / GTW ratio. Remove cargo carriers or 2nd trailer from rear of trailer. See Appendix B. |
| Improperly rated or under-inflated tires | Check tires for proper ratings and inflation. Replace and inflate if needed. | |
| Loose socket bolts | Make sure socket bolts are tightened to a minimum of 60 ft-lb torque. See Step 9 – Final Tightening. | |
| Tow capacity exceeded | Make sure your tow vehicle is rated to tow your trailer’s TW and GTW. If it is not, DO NOT TOW. | |
| Hitch undersized | Check to make sure your GTW and TW do not exceed your hitch’s ratings. If either does, DO NOT TOW. Purchase an Equal-i-zer hitch with a higher rating. | |
| Not enough weight distribution | Follow instructions to correct under-adjustment (Step 7) by adding spacer washers or raising L-brackets. See Appendix B. | |
| Tow vehicle too high in front | ||
| Front end feels floaty | ||
| Trailer nose is too high or to low | Incorrect shank | Consult your local Equal‑i‑zer hitch dealer about using a specialty shank. |
| Use the Shank Selector Tool on equalizerhitch.com to determine the correct shank for your setup. | ||
| Trailer nose is too high or to low | Improper hitch ball height | Follow Step 8 – Trailer Pitch Adjustment section to change ball height. |
| Bent or broken L-bracket, L-pin, or link plate | Link plates installed too far back from the hitch ball center | Follow Step 4 and set center of link plates between 27” and 32” from the center of the coupler. |
| Link plates not installed upside down for bottom-mount coupler | Follow Steps 4 and 9 to install and tighten link plates correctly. | |
| ‘Walking’ sway bracket assembly | Link plates not tight enough | Follow Steps 4 and 9 to tighten link plates correctly. |
| Creaking and groaning noise | Dirty or dry friction surfaces in the hitch head | Clean and lubricate the friction surfaces of head and arm sockets (Step 10) using Equal-i-zer High Performance lubricant. |
Noise:
Noise is a normal occurrence when towing a trailer and using any weight distribution or sway control hitch.
The majority of hitch noise can be eliminated by lubricating the friction surfaces of the head as shown in Figure 23.
In some cases the friction on the L-brackets can generate noise. Lubricating this joint is not recommended. A better solution is a set of official Equal-i-zer brand Sway Bracket Jackets™. They quiet the ride and reduce wear without the mess of using a lubricant.
Customer Support:
For customer support, replacement parts and accessories we recommend that you visit your local dealership that is familiar with Equal-i-zer® brand products whenever possible. If at any time you need customer support and are unable to reach a dealership, please call our toll free customer support line at 1-800-478-5578 or contact us here.