Sharp reverse turn with Equl-i-zer hitch?

[Arn]

I posted in the fall about damaging my Dual Cam hitch by reversing at a very sharp angle. In order to back into my driveway I need to backup at as sharp an angle as possible. Can this be done without unhitching an Equal-i-zer hitch? Thanks.

[Timmo_]

If one does not need the "weight distribution features" the bars provide, then why connect them for short moves? I relocate my TT about 3-4 times a year on the property, I just drop the tongue on the hitch ball and TCB (Aretha Freanklin, Respect). While backing, I must negotiate a sharp jackknife-like turn to square the TT away.

[Kalabin]

I'm another that has to do a 90 degree backing with about a 15% grade to get into my driveway. I always pull up straight with my house, hop out and disconnect my bar's and then jack knife it and back up my driveway.

Main reason for removing the bar's is with them on the rear of my trailer would hit the driveway, without them on it gives the trailer a lot more play to move with the grade.

[lane_hog]

'tiredTeacher wrote:
Do you remove (or not install) the bars when pulling out of the driveway? How is pulling out different from backing in?

For the first couple trips on our sharp turn drive, I did just that -- removed the bars. Now I don't worry about it, and the hitch is just fine albeit noisy.

[Huntindog]

'tiredTeacher wrote:
I'm no trying to be a smart ass. I've just noticed folks look at backing as a separate maneuver from driving forward. Isn't it the same path for the wheels? Do you remove (or not install) the bars when pulling out of the driveway? How is pulling out different from backing in?

Teach

Generally one will not obtain as sharp of an angle going forwards.
I had one TV TT lashup that could make contact when making a U turn going forwards. It was my first setup. A 1973 blazer towing a 24'prowler. That was not a very good setup for towing though. The short wheelbase that allowed the contact in a U turn, also made for a pretty unstable tow. It was long before the internet, and one generally learned such things then from experience.

[_tiredTeacher]

Lynnmor wrote:
You need an Oldsmobile Tornado.

I'm old enough to have seen that commercial on TV and it was a Toronado.

[_tiredTeacher]

I'm no trying to be a smart ass. I've just noticed folks look at backing as a separate maneuver from driving forward. Isn't it the same path for the wheels? Do you remove (or not install) the bars when pulling out of the driveway? How is pulling out different from backing in?

Teach

[Lynnmor]

LVJJJ wrote:
Once when backing into an uphill camp site, the bars took so much weight off the rear tires of the TV that it lost traction part way up. Had to roll back down and remove bars first.

You need an Oldsmobile Tornado.

[RHasse]

MikeDupont wrote:
Wow, all these years with a Equalizer and i didnt realize i had a problem until now. Maybe i dont back up at what you all are referring to as a 'sharp' angle.

Same here...

[lane_hog]

I do a 90* backup turn into my driveway off a state highway, and never remove the bars on my DC...

[MikeDupont]

Wow, all these years with a Equalizer and i didnt realize i had a problem until now. Maybe i dont back up at what you all are referring to as a 'sharp' angle.

[JIMNLIN]

I have a Husky Centerline TS with 1200 lb bars for a 10k car hauler. I use the trailer to carry my blue tractor in and around muddy construction work sites and off road in and around farm/ranch pastures. Lots of sharp backing/going forward with truck off angle to the trailer and never a issue.
The trailer has 8860 or 9420 lbs on the axles depending on tractor implements and where the load is placed on the trailers deck.

The Husky Centerline TS looks like and works like the Equalizer brand other than the Husky is a round bar hitch that flattens at one end.

[Kavoom]

"I too need to make a sharp turn and at an angle when backing my TT at the house. I simply remove the WD bars and do what I need to do."

I have the same issue with a sharp turn into the driveway. I have a great pull through place to pull the bars off about a mile from home and do so... Then No Problem.

[LVJJJ]

I think I'd remove the EQ bars before making that manuver. I've had to take the bars off only twice backing in. Once when backing into an uphill camp site, the bars took so much weight off the rear tires of the TV that it lost traction part way up. Had to roll back down and remove bars first. The other problem is not being able to disconnect one of the bars when the TV is tipped at an angle from the TT. Simply cannot get the downhill side bar off the "L" bracket. Finally disconnected chains, electrical & emergency brake and raised TT off of ball and pulled forward, bar came off with a loud bang. Nothing hurt.

[wopachop]

Once parked will you relieve tension on the bars? If that's the case I would use the electric jack to lift the tongue enough to slide the bars off the brackets.

I do that to my trailer when I get to the neighborhood. Cant be more than 30 seconds.