New EQ4 hitch install

[BobnColo]

Ok posted on here before about when I picked up new 2970RL they didn’t have the eq4 hitch I wanted. Have always used the chains and friction sway control ones on smaller lighter trailers. Did my research and decided on the eq4 for a number of reasons. Now since I brought the trailer home before the hitch came in, I had to install it. The dealer set up the head before I got there with the measurements they took off my truck originally. No problem, the instructions are pretty clear for setting up brackets etc. Only problem I had was getting the sway brackets in the head to move to attach the bars. I finally got them to move and lubed them but my question would be for those that use this system, I would guess that they would become easier to move after some use? The videos all showed these moving pretty easy.

[NB Canada]

No. They move pretty hard. That is part of the sway feature


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

[NB Canada]

You mean moving these wear the bars go in?




2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

[BobnColo]

Yes but thought they would be easier to move than putting 200 lbs of old man muscle behind it. That’s why I’m thinking they will loosen up a little. I understand the concept behind them but I would think you didn’t have to be an Incredible Hulk to move them a couple of inches. We’ll see, going to take it on the shakedown trip on the 26th.

[NB Canada]

Just put the bar in and grab it at the very end and use the leverage to move them
After 6 years of using mine it didn’t really get any easier


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

[geotex1]

Sounds like you're not inserting the spring bars first and then swinging them over using the advantage of the lever arm. That said, they will loosen a bit after all the powdercoat has come off and you continue to lube the contact points. I always used Boeshield T-9 on mine because it also prevents corrosion.

[BobnColo]

No I inserted bars first. Not my first rodeo but new to this system. I think you are right about the powder coat which is what is was getting at about breaking in time. There is no way you could turn those without leverage from the bars.

[hnsbrighton]

The socket bolts could be too tight. Per the manual:

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.

[BobnColo]

The socket bolts could be too tight. Per the manual:

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.

Yep did this as well. Thanks for all the ideas, but I think it is related to the amount of paint or powder coat applied. I think after the first trip it will wear off the powder coat and be able to move a little easier.

[bigjake392]

Did they ever loosen up a bit ? Mine were so tight , 2 people on the end of the bar were needed to move them. No way that's part of the system as they say to lubricate them. I called Progress Mfg. ( the mfg. of Equil- i -izer ) and they sent me another head and it was even worse !!!! If you look at the Curt system with WD using trunnion bars, you'll see they actually have zerk fittings on the rear hookup of the bars to keep them lubricated and moving correctly. The sockets on the EQ are just mfg. too tight. The sockets are hardened steel so you can't even file a bit off. I had to drive the sockets out of the head with a 10 # dead blow. Cleaned everything to bare steel and greased them all up and couldn't get them back in without driving them into position and still it took every bit of strength I had on the end of the bar to get them to move 30 degrees. That's just bad quality control, plain and simple ! Had my son take the sockets to his machine shop and take a 64th off both of the sockets to get them to work properly. Next time I'll go with the Curt system. I had used a E2 system for 10 years before and if you know that system, you actually grease up the socket head area and the bars swing freely so there is no way they have to be that ridiculously tight on the the E4 !