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Old 04-22-2009, 05:36 PM   #21
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Re: Equalizer Hitch

A local trailer dealer quoted me $550 today for hidden hitch, ball, and wiring for the electric brakes.
Tomorrow when I go to the Toyota dealer I'll get specifics as to what a "Tow Package" actualy includes.
I did call Uhaul today, but the fellow told me they're currently not installing hidden hitches.
Thanks again
Deb
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Old 04-22-2009, 07:14 PM   #22
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Re: Equalizer Hitch

I had a look at my receipt and I paid about $610 for the hitch, wiring, ball and floor mats. It cost me $25 extra to upgrade the ground wire to 10 amp, which you would need to do if you have the smaller 3-way fridge. I got the larger 5 cu. ft. fridge and it's only 2-way ( no DC ) so it wasn't really necessary.

I think the Toyota tow package is a class II hitch and wiring and you need a class III and equalizer. I'm sure the transmission cooler is standard in Canada. RAV has a warning light if your transmission is getting overheated. I really should get around to reading the manual. You also don't need the ball and the chunk of metal that it is attached to. You'll get a ball and the rest as an equalizer. I keep the extra one I got from Toyota mounted on the hitch as a bumper to protect the spare tire and rear of the vehicle when I'm not towing.

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Old 04-23-2009, 11:47 AM   #23
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Re: Equalizer Hitch

Hi Ron
thanks for the great info walt
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Old 04-23-2009, 06:28 PM   #24
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Re: Equalizer Hitch

Me again with yet another question...What is a brake controller?
Also, the toyota dealer didn't think the TT battery would be charging off the RAV4 while driivng. Is that something i get with the hitch? And is there something in the hitch wiring that prevents the Escape from drawing on car battery when car is off?
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Old 04-23-2009, 06:45 PM   #25
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Re: Equalizer Hitch

Deb, the brake controller is the device that sends the braking signal back to the trailer brakes. You may have seen them in tow vehicles, usually mounted under the dashboard. HERE is a link to Tekonsha, a company that sells good brake controllers. The Prodigy and P3 are both great ones. etrailer.com is a good company to buy them from. You mentioned previously that the quote you got included wiring in for the trailer brakes, did this not include the controller?

It is not necessary to supply 12V power to the trailer from the tow, but I would highly recommend it. It charges the trailer battery as you drive. You just need a fused wire from the charging system on the tow to the plug the trailer hooks in to.
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Old 04-23-2009, 08:50 PM   #26
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Re: Equalizer Hitch

Hi Walt and Linda,

I just installed the Prodigy brake controller into my Tacoma 6-speed. Your's is probably as tight around the knees as mine so it is difficult to fit the controller in front of the driver. I installed mine in front of the stick shift and under the climate control. It filled most of the little cubby space but I can still keep pen and paper in there. I purchased the prodigy from e-trailer.com with the toyota cable option. Wiring was a breeze. Figuring out how to remove the center console was a little more challanging. But that was the only way to get the wiring routed under the dashboard.

Good luck.

Edgar
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Old 04-24-2009, 04:38 AM   #27
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Re: Equalizer Hitch

Hi Edgar
I order the same unit from the same place hasnt arrived yet. I will probably mount it in the same place. I have removed the center console once already when I installed my quick shift for the 6speed so should be quite easy to install. Was there plenty of length on the adapter harness to reach the fuse area where the plugin is located.
thanks for the info
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Old 04-24-2009, 06:39 AM   #28
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Re: Equalizer Hitch

The Toyota cable was just the right length. There was a white pigtail wire in the cable harness. Wasn't 100% clear what to do with it so I attached it to a metal frame bolt as a ground. Toyota mechanic confirmed that this was right. I still need to confirm that the rear plug will be wired correctly for the Escape. It didn't work for an old utility trailer I have at the shop. But the trailer may have the brake and power wires reversed.

Does anyone have the pin descriptions on the Escape plug?

Edgar
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Old 04-24-2009, 06:54 AM   #29
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Re: Equalizer Hitch

Here is the standard wiring 7 pole wiring configuration as viewed from the backside (termination side) of the plugs.
If you wish to test with a meter on the plug itself (looking into the plug) just use the opposite image.



I thought I would try attaching too, never done this before.
Attached Thumbnails
7 Pike Trailer Wiring.jpg  
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Old 04-24-2009, 11:18 PM   #30
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Re: Equalizer Hitch

Thanks Jim!

This is exactly what I need. See ya.

Edgar
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Old 04-25-2009, 04:25 PM   #31
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Re: Equalizer Hitch

Quote:
Originally Posted by Edgar
Hi Walt and Linda,

I just installed the Prodigy brake controller into my Tacoma 6-speed. Your's is probably as tight around the knees as mine so it is difficult to fit the controller in front of the driver. I installed mine in front of the stick shift and under the climate control. It filled most of the little cubby space but I can still keep pen and paper in there. I purchased the prodigy from e-trailer.com with the toyota cable option. Wiring was a breeze. Figuring out how to remove the center console was a little more challanging. But that was the only way to get the wiring routed under the dashboard.

Good luck.

Edgar
Hi Edgar

This is were I installed mine in my Tacoma, its a good spot away from everything.
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DSCF0001.jpg   DSCF0003.jpg  
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Old 04-26-2009, 07:05 PM   #32
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Re: Equalizer Hitch

Doug,

Great place for the controller. I don't have that little cubby in my '06. Had to mount it to the right, between the power ports.

Thanks for the fotos.

Edgar
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Old 04-26-2009, 07:19 PM   #33
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Re: Equalizer Hitch

doug

Nice spot was thinking the same spot but my emergency brake handle is there will go with edgar and mount it between the ports great pictures too.
thanks walt
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Old 07-30-2009, 03:30 PM   #34
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Re: Equalizer Hitch

Just read all three pages and had a question. Does the EQ hitch escape sells control side to side sway? For example, Like passing big rigs on a two lane road. I have read that very few people use a friction sway bar. Also, is the WDH escape sells the www.equalizerhitch.com company that uses no chains and controls side sway or some other company like Reese that uses chains? Thanks
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Old 07-30-2009, 04:35 PM   #35
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Re: Equalizer Hitch


I don't see a brand name on it. Has steel bars that are held in place by a chain.
All I know is I've been passed dozens of times by big rigs to no effect. I also swerved violently to avoid a pothole and the trailer just obediently followed.

baglo
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Old 07-30-2009, 08:57 PM   #36
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Re: Equalizer Hitch

I had my brake controller installed by Trade Masters ( a place Tammy/Reace recommended) in Chilliwack. I think the installation charge was $35 or so. I left Escape without a WD hitch on my 06 Tacoma, and found out on the trip home how lightly sprung they are (see the 'Ridin' Hard' thread in Towing). I now have a WD hitch and Ride Rite air helper springs. What an improvement! I'm really happy with the ride and increased control.
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Old 03-22-2012, 12:52 PM   #37
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Re: Equalizer Hitch

Quote:
Originally Posted by JeffZ
What worked out for us was Reace had a WDH on site.. We hooked up the Escape and looked at how the "Back end" of our Highlander reacted to the weight of the trailer and then basically decided to purchase the WDH from Escape.. What was pretty cool is once the WDH was dialed in it you could see the difference on the "back end suspension" .. It somehow took/pushed 1/3 of the tounge weight to the front of the car, 1/3 on the back & 1/3 to the back axle of the Escape.. So for us it was worth it as it really gave us the piece of mind that we not overloading the suspension..
Hi there, I know this topic has not being posted for at least 120 days, But being new in this I still don't understand some interesting abbreviations, Can somebody tell Me please what is the "WDH"? The cost of installing one and how does it worked so far for You?

I have a SUV ML320 rated 5000 for towing, I have an Escape Trailer 15" plan B, sometimes I have to put some extra weight in My car's cargo compartment like close to 400 pounds, I haven't lost traction but worries Me the suspension of My car, And Last any comments about an "WDH" compared to an Equalizer Hitch, in service, reliability and cost if any of You have experience with this two items and can share will be appreciated.

Thank You.
GClatz.
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Old 03-22-2012, 01:05 PM   #38
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Re: Equalizer Hitch

WDH - Stands for Weight Distribution Hitch .. It basically take the tongue weight of the trailer and distributes it 1/3 to the front axle of the car - 1/3 to the back axle of the car and rest to the axle of the trailer.. So if your suspension is soft in your SUV this will help a great deal
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Old 03-22-2012, 01:44 PM   #39
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Re: Equalizer Hitch

Jeffz: Thank You for Your answer.
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Old 03-23-2012, 09:18 AM   #40
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Re: Equalizer Hitch

I actually don't think it balances 1/3 on each point. I think this is why the term equalizer hitch has for the most part been replaced by weight distribution hitch, a term for the hitch that is much more accurate. Mostly, it distributes some of the weight on the rear axle forward to the front axle. The weight on the trailer axle itself changes very little, and if anything by stopping the downward bend at the hitch like it does, it would think it could even distribute some weight back to the trailer tires.

Even though you still have the same force downward on the hitch, this weight is transfered down through all of the axles.
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