Weight Distribution Hitch Problem
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Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Garner, NC
Weight Distribution Hitch Problem
We have a 30' travel trailer I pull behind the F-250 whenever I can squeeze some time away from people's yards. The hitch weight is around 800 lbs.. I have a Reese 1000/1200 lb. weight distribution hitch with dual-cam sway control bars to connect the two. I can't for the life of me figure out how to level the truck with this hitch. It was set by the dealer for my '01 F-250 but now I have an '05. The rear bumper is 30" from the ground alone but only 28" from the ground with the TT. The TT sits just as level as can be but the truck still sags. Two inches isn't drastic but I can sure see the difference.
I've moved the adjustable ball mount bolts both up and down. The chains are only four links long when tightened and I don't have room to shorten that anymore. Am I missing something? Is there anything else I can do. This truck also has the "camper package" which gives it extra support in back so there really shouldn't be any sag at all with a 1200 lb. hitch. Thanks ya'll
I've moved the adjustable ball mount bolts both up and down. The chains are only four links long when tightened and I don't have room to shorten that anymore. Am I missing something? Is there anything else I can do. This truck also has the "camper package" which gives it extra support in back so there really shouldn't be any sag at all with a 1200 lb. hitch. Thanks ya'll
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Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Sunny SOCAL!
Your obviously familiar with towing.
I have an 06 f350 and tow a 27ft tt behind it with a WD hitch. Tounge weight of 1000lbs. I do notice that the rear of the truck does go down a little bit when I put the trailer on the hitch but I am not sure I would call it sag. I always stand back and eyeball it before taking off. As long as it looks level I'm good to go. Maybe the setup is just a little different then you are used to. Can you post a picture in your gallery of what it looks like?
I have an 06 f350 and tow a 27ft tt behind it with a WD hitch. Tounge weight of 1000lbs. I do notice that the rear of the truck does go down a little bit when I put the trailer on the hitch but I am not sure I would call it sag. I always stand back and eyeball it before taking off. As long as it looks level I'm good to go. Maybe the setup is just a little different then you are used to. Can you post a picture in your gallery of what it looks like?
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Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Garner, NC
Originally Posted by CAFordDude
Your obviously familiar with towing.
I have an 06 f350 and tow a 27ft tt behind it with a WD hitch. Tounge weight of 1000lbs. I do notice that the rear of the truck does go down a little bit when I put the trailer on the hitch but I am not sure I would call it sag. I always stand back and eyeball it before taking off. As long as it looks level I'm good to go. Maybe the setup is just a little different then you are used to. Can you post a picture in your gallery of what it looks like?
I have an 06 f350 and tow a 27ft tt behind it with a WD hitch. Tounge weight of 1000lbs. I do notice that the rear of the truck does go down a little bit when I put the trailer on the hitch but I am not sure I would call it sag. I always stand back and eyeball it before taking off. As long as it looks level I'm good to go. Maybe the setup is just a little different then you are used to. Can you post a picture in your gallery of what it looks like?
I too eyeball it and that's what really brought it to my attention. That's when I brought out the measuring tape. Thanks for the input.
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 425
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From: Park Ridge, Illinois
I run a 8K jayco TT with the same hitch set-up. Tongue weight approx 750 lbs. Equalizer bars on the 5th link from the free end of the chain. I know I'm level, but I think the bumper is down a little from the unloaded position. Of course the tail rides a little high when empty so the trailer nose would be up a little if the bumper rode at the empty level height.
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Somerset NJ
The instructions for setting up the Reese hitch are at http://reeseprod.com/support/support/pdfs/66006IN.pdf
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,968
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From: So Cal
What you really need to look for is a relatively even drop on the front and rear bumpers. For example... say your truck bumpers are 18 inches in front and 12 in back without a load. When you put on the trailer maybe the rear drops to 8 and the front might rise to say 20. YOu would adjust the WD hitch so that the drop on front and rear is about the same, so you really want to see a bumper height around say 16 and 10. To get really thorough, you should also be seeing some of the weight transfered to the trailer wheels so the trailer should also drop a bit.
You might also look into the hitch angle. Some hitches have an adjustable angle for the hitch which can change how the load gets distributed and how hard the transfer bars are compressed.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
You might also look into the hitch angle. Some hitches have an adjustable angle for the hitch which can change how the load gets distributed and how hard the transfer bars are compressed.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Wayland, MI
Jim Henderson hit the nail on the head. Look at the hitch between the shank(part the head bolts too) and the ball mount/head, there should be a gap at the top and very little at the bottom, you should be able to adjust this. Loosen the bolts, tip the top out further and retighten to spec. What this does is make the end of you bar closer to the ground, when you put them back it the saddle mounts it causes more weight to be distributed and will take out the sag in the middle. Idealy you want the trailer and the truck as level as possible, you may need to adjust the height of the ball also.
Good luck
Toyman
Good luck
Toyman
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