Fastway e2 Equalizer - How to Hitch a Travel Trailer

[@cptgaret]

Thanks for the helpful video. I also have an E2 and wanted to make certain I wasn't missing any steps! Good "hacks" that you shared.

[@harold-miller]

Great video and easy to understand! I would recommend adding grease to those spring bars where they insert into the WDH head. This will help with the noise and, more importantly, reduce the wear on the bars. It's in the E2 manual but a lot of folks miss it.

[@ChadwickFamilyFilms]

Good to know. Thanks for the tip.

[@reidwagner1508]

Thanks for the grease hint on the spring bars. I missed it from the instructions

[@hdjmiller]

Thanks for this! I'm going on my first trip tomorrow, and this was very helpful!!

[@reidwagner1508]

Thanks. Great video. Good reminder about the stabilizers need to be step one AND UP. I wouldn’t have thought of that. I’ll also remember not to put them down until the trailer is completely UNHITCHED. I’ll add grease to the ball and cap.

[@JoannaHutchinson7]

I am a new RV owner, I have little knowledge and no experience are a vegan. . I’ve seen several videos demonstrating how to hitch the trailer to the truck, yours is the most easy to follow and simple. Thanks for sharing.

[@ChadwickFamilyFilms]

Thanks for the kind words. So glad to hear it was helpful for you!

[@Onewithsausage]

Just bought my first trailer a few months ago. Great how-to! Looking into the e2 system now. Thanks!

[@ChadwickFamilyFilms]

Congrats! You are in for a fun new adventure. So far we’ve been really happy with the e2. If you got anything too much heavier then our 2100bh you might also look at the E4 hitch

[@butterfliezhomegarden3098]

Adorable family 💕 Thank you…Thank you sooooo much for making this video..We are new to RVing..You guys made this quick simple and to the point..Great teamwork 😊

[@leam9602]

Thank you this was soooo helpful!! I felt a lot more confident in hooking up my trailer for the first time

[@theshakybaker]

This video was exactly what we needed. Thank you!

[@TheCor47]

Great video, Especially for us newbies. Thanks again!

[@ChadwickFamilyFilms]

Thanks for watching!

[@BigAl0331]

Thanks. I’m a noob and this helps.

[@monka1324]

Great informational video!👍🏼👍🏼

[@ChadwickFamilyFilms]

Thanks for watching!

[@ricardomedina1588]

Thanks colorado people

[@RUBICON-zu6wl]

You have reverse lights on your trailer??

[@Velocentric]

NEVER remove the chocks until after the trailer is hitched to the vehicle. I learned this the hard way.

[@ChadwickFamilyFilms]

You are absolutely correct! We use regular chocks and the X-chocks (just for extra stability). So we remove the X-chocks in advance but the regular wheel chocks are always the last thing to be removed when hitching.

[@chasinspring]

Great! Ball hitch grease for bars (end inserted) and hitch, though.

[@zamarrda]

Great video!! One question: Why would you remove the xchocks first? Just curious. I see you have the other chocks but if all you have is xchocks removing them could cause some trouble couldn't it?

[@ChadwickFamilyFilms]

You are correct. If you ONLY have X-chocks, you would not want to remove them. We just use ours for extra stabilization when walking around in the camper but have regular wedge chalks doing the real chocking. So we do remove them first along with pulling up the stabilizers. But you don’t have to (nor do you want to if they are your only chocking mechanism).

[@zamarrda]

@@ChadwickFamilyFilms Thanks! great video!

[@DeliciousBass01]

is that the 5.0 or turbo 6? Nice rig.

[@ChadwickFamilyFilms]

It’s the 6 with ecoboost max tow package. We freakin love it! Perfect for Colorado. Thanks for watching & commenting.

[@smauller623]

Why would you hook and raise your truck all the way up to put sway bars on? I’ve never had an issue putting them on and they supply the tool to pop them in if adjust correctly.

[@ChadwickFamilyFilms]

No need for the tool if you just raise the truck a little bit, then they slide right on. The manufacturer’s installation instructions also tell you to do it this way: “With the tow vehicle still coupled to the trailer, use the tongue jack to lift both vehicles until you can swing the spring arms into place over the L-brackets. See Figure 13. If you reach the top of the jack before the spring arms will swing into position, you can use the Snap-up Lever to lift the spring arms up and onto the L-brackets. “

[@IH-nr7dx]

@@ChadwickFamilyFilms True - but that puts a lot of strain on the jack. You can hear it groaning as you get higher. Likely lead to premature failure.

[@ChadwickFamilyFilms]

00:00 | Newbies Guide to Hitching a Travel Trailer 00:17 | Raise Stabilizers & X-Chocks 01:02 | Insert e2 Hitch 01:48 | Prepare the Coupler 02:38 | Back Truck in - Zoom Camera 03:53 | Lower Tongue over the Ball 04:53 | Safety Chains & Breakaway Cable 05:43 | 7 Pin Electrical Cable 06:20 | Weight Distribution and Sway Bars 08:44 | Lift the Jack 09:32 | Chocks and Light Test

[@rgknowlton1]

Crossing the chains in an X pattern is only useful if the attachment points for the chains on the trailer tongue are separated by some distance. Creating an X pattern is supposed to allow the trailer tongue, should it come unhitched, to fall into that X cradle instead of hitting the ground. However, crossing the chains serves no purpose when the chains are both attached to a single point on the trailer tongue because it's not possible to create this "X cradle" with the chains.

[@jasperspeckles]

Great video. I have the E 4 hitch. I have a 2021 Ford F150 XLT. My truck has a trailer light check feature that you can do by yourself from the Ford Pass App. Once you activate it, it goes through a sequence… left blinker, right, brake, hazard lights. You might have that feature too. Check it out. You might also be able to activate it through the towing features on display inside.

[@carolynhogan6816]

I like this video. You’ve done good! Just one thing. The Brake away cable. I replaced the upper right bolt on the license plate with a long screw part I bolt. And I hitch it on to that. There is a video, I think it is on KZbin. A lady hitched her Airstream up to her tow vehicle. As she was driving away her hitch broke in half. The trailer went backwards down an embankment. A tree about 6” in diameter. Caught the Airstream. Suspended in the air. A Rotator wrecker had to go out and pick it up at the rear and bring it forward. Moral to the story… hitch on to your tow vehicle. Not the receiver!

[@Texze]

Great video! I pick up a Micro Minnie and an e2 in a few weeks. Do you find that the e2 makes backing up difficult? Does it make a lot of noise when backing up?

[@Joe-fj9kw5bg1v]

You going to put grease on the ball and spring bar? If I repeat someone sorry I just don't read before I watch the video, it will give it away

[@geriatricginger]

chains crossed is to support the tongue of the trailer, should it become disconnected from the tow vehicle, keeping it from digging into the ground.

[@pauls477]

Great video! However now i will be doing the Macarena every time i hitch the RV.

[@Joe-fj9kw5bg1v]

Did someone put the plug in upside down on the pickup, your little catch should be on the top so it doesn't come loose and drop, and your plug will disconnect?

[@ilovetotri23]

Brilliant! I cant thank you enough for this post! I am super newbie!

[@333rpd]

Instead of walkie-talkies, we now use our cell phones. Put the one in the tow vehicle on speaker.

[@donaldharrison3031]

I am a little nervous these two don't impress me as they know what they are doing.

[@jeffreyclark3340]

Thanks for all the videos! It's been fun to watch your experiences with the 2100bh. Out of curiosity, what have you found your loaded hitch weight to be with your 2100bh trailer? I currently am looking for a trailer and have a 2021 Tundra, which unfortunately doesn't have the greatest payload capacity so trying to find a trailer that doesn't load up the hitch too much. Thanks!

[@ChadwickFamilyFilms]

Hey you’re welcome thanks for watching - this video at 1:38 has a cat scale reading I did. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6mWpn1np92Ggbc One difference is I have added a 2nd battery to the tongue since this reading so another 50lbs up front. I also usually travel with a full water tank now. If you are considering this model you will be fine with any half ton. That’s really the sweet spot. Even if the tundra is optioned out you’ll be in a good spot. Hope this helps. Just don’t expect to pull a 32’ 7,000 pound trailer without difficulty.

[@jeffreyclark3340]

@@ChadwickFamilyFilms thanks for the info! Rookie question here, but am I able to read the hitch weight from that cat scale report? I think the dry hitch weight is 380, but loaded I’m sure its approaching quite a bit higher? Thanks again for the quick reply!

[@ChadwickFamilyFilms]

To be honest, I’ve never actually weighed the hitch/tongue weight specifically because you need a special scale to do so. But the rule of thumb I have heard is that it’s roughly 10% of your loaded trailer weight. So the way we load ours up, I’m guessing we are close to 450lb hitch weight (give or take).

[@jeffreyclark3340]

@@ChadwickFamilyFilms appreciate the help! Excited to watch more of your adventures!

[@Eric-tc5zq]

Beautiful family. Wife very cute.

[@Sonic-fg1rp]

This is the best trailer/pickup hood up 101 I saw! Thank you for this great video for newbies like me!

[@ChadwickFamilyFilms]

I’m really glad it is helpful! Thanks! When we first learned and picked up our rig it was a blur so our goal was to simplify it and break it down.

[@trevortrent319]

I realize it's kinda off topic but do anybody know of a good website to watch newly released series online?

[@damienarlo7196]

@Trevor Trent Flixportal =)

[@trevortrent319]

@Damien Arlo thank you, I signed up and it seems like a nice service :D I appreciate it!!

[@damienarlo7196]

@Trevor Trent Happy to help :)

[@brianbelliveau5551]

Do you like the e2 hitch and do you think it controls any sway in the trailer and how about your mirrors

[@ChadwickFamilyFilms]

Yes. We’ve been really happy with our E2 hitch. No issues with sway really at all, but we do have a pretty light trailer too. And yes, I LOVE my towing mirrors. Didn’t love the aesthetic of them at first, but they have been a tremendous asset when towing.

[@Rak187Inf]

We’re picking up our first travel trailer in a couple days and the dealership is going to be installing the E2 hitch. This video helped me a lot to understand it and not be so scared of doing something wrong. Subbed!

[@ChadwickFamilyFilms]

Glad it was helpful! We were so overwhelmed by it all in the beginning too but now it’s second nature. You’ll get the hang of it really quickly.

[@wesmccoy7061]

Great video but I’ll make a suggestion. Don’t hook ur emergency brake cable to anywhere on ur hitch or where tow hooks go. I’ve seen that whole assembly come off a truck and the brakes don’t activate. Find a spot elsewhere Just a suggestion.

[@ChadwickFamilyFilms]

Thanks for the tip. Where do you suggest to hook it? To the frame of the truck somewhere?

[@wesmccoy7061]

Yes. I attached an eye bolt to a hole on the bumper frame.

[@feonjun]

I only gave thump-up for the singing.

[@ChadwickFamilyFilms]

Lol, thanks.

[@chamadnasahahab8688]

Looking into my first travel trailer and I'm really nervous honestly... But this video was really helpful, gave me a bit of confidence. Thank you, Subscribed!

[@risabug7772]

Or you could just yell at each other at the campgrounds 🤣YOU'RE GOOD! YOU'RE GOOD! WHOOA!

[@markzang4918]

Just watched your video. Thanks. FYI. Your safety chains are crossed under the hitch so if it does pop off the ball the crossed chains will catch and cradle the trailer tongue and it should keep the hitch from scrapping or worse digging into the road and causing and even worse problem.

[@woofman4796]

crossing the chains creates a cradle in case of decoupling,, i don't cross my chains

[@glycerine3065]

I though the whole point is to create a cradle so it doesn't hit the road and make the situation much worse.

[@woofman4796]

@@glycerine3065 you mean hit the road,, yes,, that's the purpose of crossing the chains,, but i don't cross mine, i put pin in the coupler to keep the paddle/release lever in the locked position,

[@safemoonshepherd559]

The purpose of crossing the chains is to keep the tongue of the trailer centered in case of decoupling. If you don’t cross the chains, then the tongue will dance side to side and you will lose control.

[@bigguy1403]

Just to let people know...when you put the cotter pins on to have the rounded part of the cotter pin face forward toward the truck so as to keep it from popping out if a rock hits it. The way your doing it is perfect !

[@jrwethington320]

Great video family working together great information

[@LovingLifeHitchedUp]

Great instructional video. Very helpful to anyone learning how to hitch a trailer.

[@ChadwickFamilyFilms]

Thanks 👍 - I think its something we certainly could have used when we first started out.

[@donnamalinski5780]

Thank you so much for this video!

[@lifeisgood141]

I used to use the same E2 weight distribution/anti-sway bars on my previous trailer, the same length trailer as yours, 22.5'. You don't need them for the trailer that weighs less than 6000 lbs and less than 23', towing with a minimum half-ton truck. They definitely give you more towing confident but extra work.

[@ChadwickFamilyFilms]

Interesting. I never realized we might not need them. At this point though, my wife and I have our routine down so well that they don’t feel like they take a lot of extra work. So probably worth the peace of mind for me I think.

[@carminered]

great video. thank you.

[@AndrewWashuta]

Okay, done commenting for tonight, but it’s hilarious because we have such a similar set up. I think we have the E4 but Equalizer is such a great hitch, and then I saw you’ve got the Proven Industries lock as well! Cheers and thanks for producing such great content.

[@ChadwickFamilyFilms]

Thanks for all the nice comments. Glad you found it helpful!

[@myinterests5573]

I would suggest leaving x-chalks in place until AFTER the hitch is on the ball. I once took chalks out first and the camper rolled forward on the tongue block and we had a minor crisis getting it all under control.

[@ChadwickFamilyFilms]

We still use regular chalks too. But if our x-chalks were the only chalks, then I 100% agree. Never un-chalk until the hitch is in the ball 👍🏼

[@risabug7772]

We just brought our first travel trailer home yesterday. The dealer installed the e2 hitch and the popping scared the crap out of me on the way home lol. I think they forgot to tell us that's normal lol

[@ChadwickFamilyFilms]

Totally agree! Wish they would have told us that in the beginning too!

[@williamarriaza506]

Good video , very helpful, i just had a little accident because i installed the wrong way, my rv just fall off from my truck.

[@ChadwickFamilyFilms]

Oh no, William! Glad the video helped you figure it out though.

[@jefffuchs2667]

Great video! Was having trouble getting my sway bars on and you helped tremendously

[@ChadwickFamilyFilms]

Awesome! Glad it helped. Thanks for watching.

[@GertieBirdieJems]

Thank you very much! Extremely useful for this newbie!

[@ChadwickFamilyFilms]

Glad it was helpful. Thanks for watching!

[@patriciagerlach8219]

Great Video! Can you tell me what lock you have on the hitch? Thanks

[@ChadwickFamilyFilms]

Thanks for watching. We have the 2516 model from Proven Industries. You can find it directly on their website or below is an Amazon affiliate link to it as well. Just make sure you get the correct one for your hitch type. But the 2516 works for most travel trailers! amzn.to/3dIJkce

[@markstench4470]

Gave you a thumbs up just for singing the Macerena....

[@ChadwickFamilyFilms]

Ayyy Macarena! 😂🎶🎵🕺

[@Whiskeyjack1771]

You need to adjust that Fastway hitch. It shouldn't tilt back like that. The bolt on the bottom needs to be tightened when the trailer is de-coupled so the washers on the top are resting snuggly against the ball hitch drop-down.

[@meee175]

I noticed that too but thought they might have a reason for it. Ran out to mine to make sure it was leveled out.

[@IH-nr7dx]

Not necessarily. The hitch head is designed to pitch for fine-tuning of the distribution. The head should rarely be level unless the trailer tongue weight is quite low. However, once the pitch is set with the washers the bolt on the bottom should be torqued to specs in the manual.

[@whyjustwhy2168]

So after lowering you take the orange blocks out?

[@ChadwickFamilyFilms]

Not totally sure what you are asking, but the orange blocks are just there so you don’t have to extend your tongue Jack as far and it gives it a nice stable surface to set on. So once you are fully connected and hitched you retract the tongue and remove the blocks.

[@billyhickshicks661]

This was very helpful and to the point

[@ChadwickFamilyFilms]

Thanks for the feedback, Billy. Glad it was helpful!

[@anniegao6463]

thanks chad family !

[@ChadwickFamilyFilms]

Thanks for watching, Annie.

[@woofman4796]

i'll ignore the ford comment,, i have a chevy

[@ChadwickFamilyFilms]

Haha! We all have our loyalties 😉

[@woofman4796]

@@ChadwickFamilyFilms we had 2 different fords, 2012 explorer iron man, transmission went out within 6 months,, replaced under warranty, the main computer went a year and a half into owning in, ford new about this issue, would not help in any way, it sat in our yard for just over a year until they finally came and got it,, and we were paying on it the whole time to save our credit, then we got a 2015 f-150, in about 4 months,, transmission issues,, i've had my 2016 silverado 1500 z71 off road since oct 2015, got it brand new, the reverse drum cracked in the transmission,, i know, what's with me and transmission issues, and no, i'm not beating my vehicles, but with my chevy, complete rebuild, drives like new again, i know all brands have issues, my wife likes dodge,, why,, i can't figure it out, i was raised in a chevy home,, the only other brand i'll buy is toyota, no more fords,, ever,, y wife started calling me tranny man when my chevy needed work, :), i told her i'll stay in the closet, :), my neighbor loves his ford though,,

[@gerriboberri2645]

Very good 👍

[@ChadwickFamilyFilms]

Thanks for watching!

[@blessedwith2babes]

Thank you so much for this video!

[@ChadwickFamilyFilms]

You’re welcome, glad it is helpful.