When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
hanks for all that info,, there is where im at now. i had 6 washers. now added 9(as seen in pics) the bars on the 7th chain link. and also are very tight. tightened bolt to tighten washers up against shank also. this brought rear of truck up 1 inch only. front didnt change much. i am wondering if i need the next step up curt wd hitch? thanks again for any help.
There is usually a lot of pressure when you're pulling up to set the chains which is normal. It's hard to know if what you're experiencing is what I am thinking is normal though...
With the tongue of the trailer on the hitch, lower the jack far enough to set the ball lock.
Now you should be able to hook your chain with the tail to the back and you should be able to move the over-center latch by hand (no bar on the latch).
Put your locks in the over center latch and lower the jack all the way.
Now you have the right amount of tension on the arms.
I've been using this method for years with my trailers and it works fine.
If you still don't have enough tension to reduce the load on the rear of the tow vehicle - you can close it up by one link. If that's not enough tension, you have the wrong bars or too much tongue weight.
Weight distributing hitches will put more of the load through the chassis of the tow vehicle and onto the front wheels of the tow vehicle..
With the tongue of the trailer on the hitch, lower the jack far enough to set the ball lock.
Now you should be able to hook your chain the the tail to the back and you should be able to move the over-center latch by hand (no bar on the latch).
Put your locks in the over center latch and lower the jack all the way.
Now you have the right amount of tension on the arms.
I've been using this method for years with my trailers and it works fine.
If you still don't have enough tension to reduce the load on the rear of the tow vehicle - you can close it up by one link. If that's not enough tension, you have the wrong bars or too much tongue
Weight distributing hitches will put more of the load through the chassis of the tow vehicle and onto the front wheels of the tow vehicle..
Finally took trailer on a trip with the wd hitch set up as in pics above. It was sketchy the whole ride. The teeter tottering was way worse then when I had it set up wrong. Also had sway issues for the first time. I don't know if I should raise or lower the air bag psi. Currently it is at 65 which was the sweet spot before. Thanks for any help.
Maybe drop it a little more....... you are welcome. Glad it's working out for you.
so today went to level ground. made sure trailer was level within 1 inch front to rear un hooked from truck, top of trailer ball hitch was 27' and top of truck ball was 23'. i raised the ball to almost perfectly even with trailer. think its gonna be ok not. only thing i am worried about is the wd bars dont have a whole lot of tension on them. if i go and tighter then 6th link, the bars will hit the side of trailer frame
The almost universal standard now in effect, according to Reese, says when hitched the front end of the truck should be the same height as it was before you were hitched. If you can't hit it exactly, the front of the truck should be slightly lowered rather than slightly higher.
And yes, you are exactly right. With a heavy truck and a light trailer, the bars will have virtually no tension as the tongue weight is not pronounced enough to raise the front of your truck or drop the back. I have struggled with that issue more than one time wondering if the spring bars serve any purpose in those situations.
