CarterKraft
Well-known member
This is all after the fact information as I already resolved the issue but not without some serious fabrication.
On my TQ290 I picked up earlier this month I ran into a serious problem. After the PDI/walkthrough I set about installing the Equa-l-izer hitch brackets. I had asked for the dealer to let me do this process myself, not necessarily that I didn't trust them but I wanted to see first hand how the hitch adjustments effected the tow vehicle attitude, weight transfer etc. I measured the tongue and marked each tube at the 32" measurement preferred by the manufacturer. I started installing the brackets and quickly found a problem. At first I thought it wasn't a big deal and I would be able to reposition the brackets to be in the "acceptable" range, a minimum of 27" from bracket to ball center. In the closest position the brackets are 26.5" and the farthest position they are 33"+. Since the trailer was completely was empty and I wasn't going too far I just installed the brackets at the 26.5" position and drove it home.
Once I was home and had time to look at it I found the root of the problem is the forward most propane tank mount crossmember is located exactly in the "range" needed by the weight distribution bracket. One could argue that you could use a different brand of hitch that mounts on the outside of the tongue beams only, but I will save that for another thread.
After removing the propane tank cover, not a easy task by the way, I was able to examine the issue.
I own a small fabrication company and I was confident I would be able to quickly resolve this. After an hour of head scratching I still hadn't come up with a plan I was happy with. Originally I thought I could just cut a small portion of the channel section of the crossmember and allow the bracket to pass through it, I quickly abandoned that idea as I did not want to modify the frame of the trailer in anyway.
I was able to modify and reinforce the stock equalizer brackets to work but it wasn't near as "easy" as I had planned.
The pictures are very poor because they were taken at 10 PM when I finally finished but you can see the issue.
So... after that long winded explanation I would love to ask Lippert (who I believe manufactured the chassis) why not move the crossmember 1 1/4" to the front and allow there customers to use one of the major weight distribution hitch brands that doesn't require modifying the frame. Surely there are some criteria they use when designing a frame regarding WD hitch brackets etc.
Feel free to contact me via email or PM here.
weldonc(@)carterkraftcustoms(dot)com remove () in address.
VIN 5SFCB3621EE277054
On my TQ290 I picked up earlier this month I ran into a serious problem. After the PDI/walkthrough I set about installing the Equa-l-izer hitch brackets. I had asked for the dealer to let me do this process myself, not necessarily that I didn't trust them but I wanted to see first hand how the hitch adjustments effected the tow vehicle attitude, weight transfer etc. I measured the tongue and marked each tube at the 32" measurement preferred by the manufacturer. I started installing the brackets and quickly found a problem. At first I thought it wasn't a big deal and I would be able to reposition the brackets to be in the "acceptable" range, a minimum of 27" from bracket to ball center. In the closest position the brackets are 26.5" and the farthest position they are 33"+. Since the trailer was completely was empty and I wasn't going too far I just installed the brackets at the 26.5" position and drove it home.
Once I was home and had time to look at it I found the root of the problem is the forward most propane tank mount crossmember is located exactly in the "range" needed by the weight distribution bracket. One could argue that you could use a different brand of hitch that mounts on the outside of the tongue beams only, but I will save that for another thread.
After removing the propane tank cover, not a easy task by the way, I was able to examine the issue.
I own a small fabrication company and I was confident I would be able to quickly resolve this. After an hour of head scratching I still hadn't come up with a plan I was happy with. Originally I thought I could just cut a small portion of the channel section of the crossmember and allow the bracket to pass through it, I quickly abandoned that idea as I did not want to modify the frame of the trailer in anyway.
I was able to modify and reinforce the stock equalizer brackets to work but it wasn't near as "easy" as I had planned.
The pictures are very poor because they were taken at 10 PM when I finally finished but you can see the issue.
So... after that long winded explanation I would love to ask Lippert (who I believe manufactured the chassis) why not move the crossmember 1 1/4" to the front and allow there customers to use one of the major weight distribution hitch brands that doesn't require modifying the frame. Surely there are some criteria they use when designing a frame regarding WD hitch brackets etc.
Feel free to contact me via email or PM here.
weldonc(@)carterkraftcustoms(dot)com remove () in address.
VIN 5SFCB3621EE277054
Last edited:
