Towed the Kitty.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,092
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Not to pile on.....but I too think you could have pushed the kitty back a little as well.
As an owner of a non online hitch shop and a user of what I sell, wt distribution hitches are not for looks!
They will make a difference even with better leaf springs.
I'll give you a hall pass on the mirrors since you were pulling an open trailer but once you get that checked off your list I'm telling you won't believe the difference.
I like the color of your EX!
Joe
As an owner of a non online hitch shop and a user of what I sell, wt distribution hitches are not for looks!
They will make a difference even with better leaf springs.I'll give you a hall pass on the mirrors since you were pulling an open trailer but once you get that checked off your list I'm telling you won't believe the difference.
I like the color of your EX!
Joe
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 206
From: South Eastern Michigan
Yeah, I firmly believe the WD hitches are worth the hassle. I have airbags on the back of mine as well and the combination makes towing stability and ride near 100%. I'll be replacing the springs soon but will keep the bags.
I cant imagine towing with the small mirrors.
I cant imagine towing with the small mirrors.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Richmond, VA
We have a WD hitch setup for that trailer however at the time one of the C clamp bolts was broken when taken off to put on another trailer. So normally I would have had that extra assistance.
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 26
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I have towed over 175,000 miles with a weight distribution hitch on my excursion. I can tell you that having the truck set up properly makes much more of a difference than the hitch. When I would load the trailer heavy it would bounce off the bumpstops and make it a handful to drive. When I sold that excursion and bought the new one I decided to upgrade the suspension right away. With suspension set up right the weight distribution hitch now does nothing. The bars have no weight on them no matter how much I adjust them. The truck drives much better and easier than the old one with the exact same hitch and trailer. Upgrade the suspension first! Perfect hitch weight is 15%. And I agree about the towing mirrors. They are well worth the upgrade. Even when not towing!
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,092
Likes: 0
I have towed over 175,000 miles with a weight distribution hitch on my excursion. I can tell you that having the truck set up properly makes much more of a difference than the hitch. When I would load the trailer heavy it would bounce off the bumpstops and make it a handful to drive. When I sold that excursion and bought the new one I decided to upgrade the suspension right away. With suspension set up right the weight distribution hitch now does nothing. The bars have no weight on them no matter how much I adjust them. The truck drives much better and easier than the old one with the exact same hitch and trailer. Upgrade the suspension first! Perfect hitch weight is 15%. And I agree about the towing mirrors. They are well worth the upgrade. Even when not towing!
It takes a fair amount of load off of the reciever hitch as well.
What or how did you upgrade?
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
I have the Timberen suspension on my excursion, and I'm not saying that you shouldn't use a weight distribution hitch. I have the heavy duty hitch rated for 1200lbs of hitch weight. What I am saying is that a well set up truck and a properly loaded trailer makes a much bigger difference than the hitch. My hitch cost 3 times what the suspension upgrade did and the suspension made a bigger difference. So if you can't afford both...start with the suspension.
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 26
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Strait-Line Weight Distribution w Sway Control - Trunnion Bar - 12,000 lbs GTW, 1,200 lbs TW Reese Weight Distribution RP66074
This is the exact hitch that I use. It has proven very very durable.
This is the exact hitch that I use. It has proven very very durable.
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Moderator
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 12,050
Likes: 1,549
From: Media PA
I have towed over 175,000 miles with a weight distribution hitch on my excursion. I can tell you that having the truck set up properly makes much more of a difference than the hitch. When I would load the trailer heavy it would bounce off the bumpstops and make it a handful to drive. When I sold that excursion and bought the new one I decided to upgrade the suspension right away. With suspension set up right the weight distribution hitch now does nothing. The bars have no weight on them no matter how much I adjust them. The truck drives much better and easier than the old one with the exact same hitch and trailer. Upgrade the suspension first! Perfect hitch weight is 15%. And I agree about the towing mirrors. They are well worth the upgrade. Even when not towing!
If your WD spring bars have no weight on them no matter how much you adjust them then something is seriously wrong. It sounds like your hitch head angle is waaaay off if that is actually the case.
Simply adding Timbrens to the rear suspension will not reload the lost weight on the front axle due to the tongue weight, that is the function of a properly setup WD hitch.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,259
Likes: 346
From: Northern California
@Tom
I think what he is saying is he that setup his spring rate and ride height of the suspension so that with the trailer hooked up the vehicle and trailer are level.
If he tailored his suspension to the load and the vehicle didn't sag past level then his old WD hitch setup would be slack with the new suspension setup. With his setup he built the spring rate into the suspension instead of using the WD hitch.
I think what he is saying is he that setup his spring rate and ride height of the suspension so that with the trailer hooked up the vehicle and trailer are level.
If he tailored his suspension to the load and the vehicle didn't sag past level then his old WD hitch setup would be slack with the new suspension setup. With his setup he built the spring rate into the suspension instead of using the WD hitch.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 742
From: Isanti, MN
@Tom
I think what he is saying is he that setup his spring rate and ride height of the suspension so that with the trailer hooked up the vehicle and trailer are level.
If he tailored his suspension to the load and the vehicle didn't sag past level then his old WD hitch setup would be slack with the new suspension setup. With his setup he built the spring rate into the suspension instead of using the WD hitch.
I think what he is saying is he that setup his spring rate and ride height of the suspension so that with the trailer hooked up the vehicle and trailer are level.
If he tailored his suspension to the load and the vehicle didn't sag past level then his old WD hitch setup would be slack with the new suspension setup. With his setup he built the spring rate into the suspension instead of using the WD hitch.
If the WD hitch is slack it's not adjusted right. Mine is adjusted by selecting the proper link on the chain that attaches to the bars. If there is no tension on the bars you're doing it wrong.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 871
Likes: 0
From: Kenner LA
Our f-650 was down for the day and was towed to the shop. Grabbed my truck and hauled 15,000 lbs back to the shop. Smoked all 4 brake pads, 2 front rotors, and 1 rear caliper(no trailer brake controller on my truck). Won't be doing that again. LOL
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,259
Likes: 346
From: Northern California
Looks like it was on the bump stops In that pic.