help me connect this WD hitch system

uchi · August 25, 2012

hey guys, i picked up a buddies WD hitch setup tonight, ive got new u bolts for it but aside from that im a little lost. he didnt remember how it went on properly but i think im missing something with this.

here is the complete unit

and here is what im wondering about, these guys im guessing slide over the frame with the bolt in part going to the inside of the frame, but then we get to the hook for the chain. theres a sleeve of sorts that goes over the hook but from the looks of it its missing something to lock the chain in and keep it from coming off. im not sure of the brand so i cant even look up instructions on google for it, im gonna search but i just got home and we leave in less than a week so i want to make sure everything is sorted long before then. any help you guys can offer would be great at this point, and any pics of your units installed as well if you have them.

brainpause · August 25, 2012

When the hitch is installed, and is functional, the bars/chains will pull down very hard on the hooks, making it virtually impossible for the chain to jump off the hooks.

I don't see a "snap-up" tool that helps leverage the chain up, thereby distributing weight to the front of the tow vehicle.

brainpause · August 25, 2012

A simple pipe may work for the previously mentioned snap-up tool.

Check this page and its video. I think it will be very similar to what you have.

http://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Weight_Distribution.aspx

Larry

uchi · August 25, 2012

i was thinking of a thick bolt and just putting a nut on either end. i wouldnt be worried about the chain coming off but the entire snap up unit swivels and from what i can see the chain may not stay on it. basically the way the bracket is laying in the pick, if i rotate it 90 degrees counter clock wise, is that how its supposed to sit on the arms of the trailer?

uchi · August 25, 2012

i think this is what im after right here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnV9T0WEjAA&feature=relmfu

theres a little metal clip on the unit that i wasnt sure what it was for, but now it makes perfect sense, itll hold everything together, not to search out the sway control stuff through youtube and hopfully get that installed correctly. thanks for the help guys

uchi · August 25, 2012

alright fellas i just went out there again and played with it some more, ive got it figured out with the sway system as well. once you se a video of it it just makes sense. thanks to those who helped

brainpause · August 26, 2012

Glad you got it figured out. Let us know if your thoughts and ideas work.

uchi · August 29, 2012

brought the trailer home today, hooking up the sway control was a nightmare on one side, the box with all the electronic crap in it is in the way, i thought it was a battery at first but its got the 7 prong connector and the wires for the break away brakes in it, anyways, all that crap was in the way so that made things fun. the other side took about 10 minutes to set up. the way this setup seems to work, im 5 chain links up from the bottom, that seems to be about as tight as i can get and get it tightened up comfortably and at 5 links the torsion bars seem to sit nice and parralel to the arms of the trailer. havent had a chance to drive it yet to make sure its all working but she went together, everything botled together the way it should have, and the truck quite literallydidnt squat at all. maybe a half inch if that when i put the trailers weight on it. quite impressed with the setup.

is there anything i should look for when i drive it? will it make any unusual sounds i should be aware of?

brainpause · August 29, 2012

Weight distribution bars sitting parallel to the trailer frame is irrelevant. It is pretty, but irrelevant.

The BEST way to know if you have the right link selected is to weigh your steer axle with no trailer, and then again with your trailer. Your truck's steer axle with trailer should weigh the same (or slightly more) than without the trailer. However, since not everyone has a truck stop with a Cat scale nearby like me, there is another method.

Maybe the more PRACTICAL method is to have the truck on level ground. 1) Measure top center of front and rear wheel wells from the ground. 2) Hook up trailer/truck combo on level ground. 3) Measure again, ground to top center of wheel wells. 4) When you have it dialed in, both front and rear will "compress" very near the same amount.

For instance, if your rear for a down 1", and front only 1/2", you need to get another link (tighter) and remeasure. Some would say within 1/4" is good enough. I played with mine until I got the compression darn near the same. I finally scaled it, and ny steer axle us about 180# more with the trailer. With an 11000# lashup, is say that was good.

I hope this makes sense. The more dialed-in you get it, the better your towing experience will be.

Larry

uchi · August 30, 2012

yup that makes sense, i went to 6 links and ill see how it tows and then if need be ill tighten it up little. might even do it before i leave as at 6 links it seems to sit a hair lower than with it at 5 links. we're just baout to head out, best of luck to me, thanks