Another towing quesiton

[rusty01]

Still working on setting up my hitch properly. When I first set up my ball I had it too high as the trailer was slightly up in the front when hooked to the truck. I changed the ball height and now the camper is perfectly level with the truck. This is before the wd bars are installed. I know the bars are supposed to take out the sag in the rear end and I am just wondering if it is OK to run it this way. When I install the bars will it cause the trailer's front end to go up? Should I drop the ball height a bit further? New to this whole adjustable ball thing. I'm guessing once bars are installed that the camper and truck are to be as level to each other as possible.

[Coolmaker]

your WD hitch should have setup instructions that come with it. ;)

[rusty01]

Well yeah but it says to get it as close as possible. If I move it down one hole it will sag quite a bit. Might just take it to the RV place and have someone look at it just to be safe.

[music]

You're saying that both the truck and camper are setting level without the WD bars? Assuming the truck is dropping in the rear, as it should with a camper that size, then the camper should also be dropping in the front w/o the WD bars. The goal is for the truck to be "near" level, and the camper to be level, to maybe very slightly "nose down"... *with* the WD bars engaged. The rear of the truck will settle down a lower than the front with a heavy tongue, but it shouldn't unload the front.

 

The hitch instructions should describe how to do it... mine did. The idea is to "get it all level" w/o the bars, but not with the camper putting it's full weight on the ball. The camper is still resting on the jack, and just barely setting on the ball. That's the starting point for adjusting the head tilt and bar tension.

[00Silverado4x4]

Well yeah but it says to get it as close as possible. If I move it down one hole it will sag quite a bit. Might just take it to the RV place and have someone look at it just to be safe.

 

Definitely a good idea.

You do not want the front of your trailer "up" by any means. The bars are to reduce sag not eliminate, you still need tongue weight to keep from swaying. My trailer puts just a little sag (1" max) on my rear end and I'm perfectly happy with that.

[brisk]

I would lower it one more hole on the hitch. Watch this video to see how to set it up http://www.etrailer.com/tv-weight_distribution_and_sway_control_install_ford_van.aspx

[rusty01]

I got it! Moved the hitch down one hole. The truck sags with the rear springs "set in" but not nearly as bad I thought it would. Once the bars are in place the rear is about 1/2" lower then the front of the truck. Trailer is slightly tilted down in the front. Pulls suprisingly well, as long as I remember to tighten down the sway bar, lol!

[music]

Good to hear, and it looks/sounds about right to me. Now... try to have some fun, and don't become one those guys over on rv.net that spend more time arguing about trucks/towing than they do camping

 

p.s. If you decide you want a little more weight in the front, you may be able to to tilt the ball head back a little. It looks good as-is, but I can't feel the steering wheel... of course.

[rusty01]

Steering feels OK. Not too light (a bit lighter then unloaded of course). Only issue is downshifting and power. Looking at getting a tune here real quick! Also ordered a set of Sensatrac shocks for the rear (it bounces around quite a bit with TT in tow). I hear about the arguing over there at rv.net, lol! I know I may be close to or at my GVRW. As long as I feel safe and make it to the campground (yeah, so I'm not gonna be the first camper there, lol) I'll be a happy camper!