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I am a new owner of a Grand Design Imagine XLS 23LDE and love it. I purchased a Equalizer E4 hitch to go along with it. In less than three weeks, my safety chains the are attached to the A-frame were damaged. One was cut all the way through. I found that the hitch head is rubbing up against the chains because there is no clearance between the two. Lippert, who makes the frame made the loop that holds the chains about an inch too large. The only way to fix it is to 1. Move the location of the chain or 2. Buy a different hitch. Why dealerships recommend the Equalizer hitch knowing there is a possibility of damage, I don’t know. If I want to move the chain location, Lippert said it can void my warranty, even if I use a certified welder. Equalizer has a good reputation and I do like the hitch. BTW I contacted my dealership (General RV) twice in the last week and still no response. I may just go ahead and have the chains moved anyway.
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John and Sunhe
TV: 2019 Ram1500 5.7 Hemi
Hitch: Equailzer E4
RV: Grand Design Imagine XL23LDE
Ret Army, Ret Army Civ
Prince George, VA -
Jdeilus I've seen a couple posts about this. The only warranty it would void would be if a failure was found to be a result of moving the attachment point. I'm just another owner but assuming you have a reliable welder that knows what he's doing weld a new attachment point on it'll be stronger than the one Lippert or there. That said you're right I have no idea why they recommend the hitch and I'd be looking for a refund towards a replacement.Forum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.
Neil Citro
2018 Reflection 28BH Pepwave
2019 F350 6.7L Long Bed Crew Cab -
My hitch will also hit the welded chain links on sharp turns where it would be nice if Lippert would come up with a different strategy in welding in a safety chain loop.
Jim
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This is my temporary fix. I removed the other chain from the loop. The other just broke off. I cut the loop off since the hitch will rub against it on sharp turns. I bought new chains and removable carabiner links. There is a cross member where the electric tongue jack runs through that has two holes already there. I mounted my chains through the holes. The cross member thickness is the same as the mount for the chains on the truck. This should suffice until Grand Design and Lippert come up with a solution. I didn’t want to do any welding yet.John and Sunhe
TV: 2019 Ram1500 5.7 Hemi
Hitch: Equailzer E4
RV: Grand Design Imagine XL23LDE
Ret Army, Ret Army Civ
Prince George, VAComment
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That looks better than the factory setup.Joseph
Tow Vehicle: 2024 GMC K3500 Denali Ultimate Diesel
Coach: 303RLS Delivered March 5, 2021
South of Houston TexasComment
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One question. Do your removable carabiner links and chain have a load rating? its a great solution, but you need to check the strength on each element to be sure they will hold in the event things come apart. In my mind they each should have a 2x rating of your GVWR on the trailer. Just food for thought.Originally posted by Jdeilus View Post
Safe Travels
Keith
2018 Reflection 150 Series 220RK 5th whee, Star White 2022 F350 King Ranch CC Long bed (HAL) (CCC 4062lbs), B&W 25K OEM Companion,. SteadyFast system, Trailer reverse lights, rear receiver spare tire holder, storage tube, sumo springs, Victron MultiPlus 12/120/3000, Solar, Custom 6K axles upgrade, and other modifications.Comment
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The brake strength is 8800lbs. I consider this a temporary fix. The only way the trailer will separate from the truck is if the hitch pin is not installed. The receiver is not coming off of the ball becuase of the bars on the weight distribution hitch is attached to both the trailer and the hitch.John and Sunhe
TV: 2019 Ram1500 5.7 Hemi
Hitch: Equailzer E4
RV: Grand Design Imagine XL23LDE
Ret Army, Ret Army Civ
Prince George, VAComment
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Great solution - I belatedly discovered that mine interferes in exactly the same way. I will check my 2500RL to see if it has those two holes also.Originally posted by Jdeilus View PostOttertail, Minnesota
2022 Imagine 2500RL VIN 573TE3029N6637046
2022 Ford F-150 Lariat, SuperCrew, long box, max towComment
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I reported this same issue. Alas, the couplers I bought will not fit the holes in my tongue jack mounting plate.Tim H.
2022 Imagine XLS 23BHE
2019 Ford F250 Platinum 6.7L Diesel
Formerly: 2016 Ford F150 Lariat Super Crew, FX4, 3.5L EB, 6-1/2' bed
Formerly: 2019 Keystone Passport 175BHComment
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I have the same issue. After the first chain actually broke, I added SS Shackles with a locking bolt. Since I did that, the hitch now wears where it interferes instead of the actual shackle. I keep monitoring them and if I see wear on the shackles I'll take the trailer to a certified welder and have the attachment bar moved further aft.2023 GD Imagine XLS 22RBE
Towed with a 2023 Chevy Silverado 2500HDComment
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Man, that sucks. I was worried about my hitch though it is not an E4. I still went out to take a look.....I seem to be okay, but surely something to keep an eye out for down the road. Nicely trailer though.....Thanks for the heads up!2023 GD Imagine XLS 23 LDE
2021 Toyota Tundra CM 4x4 5.7L
Roadmaster Active Suspension (RAS)
Curt Tru-Track 4P (8k) WDH
Haloview BT-7 w/ Side Marker CamerasComment
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As posted by me earlier, I have the same interference on my 2500RL. One chain link was about 50% pinched off, the other slightly less. Major bad design between Lippert and Equalizer...
I cut off the factory loop and added these to the sides:
The chains might touch the equalizer bars during a minimum radius turn, but there will not be any pinch points. I didn't take a picture yet with the chains and hitch connected.Ottertail, Minnesota
2022 Imagine 2500RL VIN 573TE3029N6637046
2022 Ford F-150 Lariat, SuperCrew, long box, max towComment
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