Finally had a chance to review your links from a computer...
BarneyS wrote:
I don't know what manuals you looked through but the Standard Round Bar (generic) installation manual has a picture at the bottom of p.5 that shows the minimum and states: Illustration 7, shows the correct and incorrect hook-up position of the spring bars. To allow movement when
turning, there should be at least 5 links between the lift bracket and the spring bar. The number of links should be the
same on both bars. Adjust head tilt to accomplish correct chain length..
Please indicate where in that manual it indicates that they should be parallel? Your quote specifies the number of links, but neither the text nor the sketches indicate anything to do with parallelism of the bars to anything.
Note what Eaz-Lift states on p.3 and gives illustrations.
Again, nowhere does it state that the bars should be parallel to the frame under load.. It does state,
Spring bar should be parallel with trailer frame, or a
slight angle up or down
You can't stop reading in the middle of the sentence.
In addition, the Drawtite Trunnion bar installation manual states on P.4:
There must be at least 5 links between the lift unit and the spring bar. This is necessary for proper operation of the spring bars during turns. If there are less than 5 links, the angle of the head assembly must be increased.
Again, no mention of parallelism, only number of tensioned links to allow for bar movement while turning.
The Reese Trunnion Bar installation manual states on P.3:
Raise trailer tongue and rear of car with jack. Lower yoke of snap up bracket until it is parallel with the ground, and slip the closest link over the hook (If there are less than 5 links between hook and u-bolt PLACE CLOSEST LINK ON HOOK, adjust ballmount angle rearward, and repeat
procedure).
Again, no mention of parallelism to the frame.
And finally, the Reese Round Bar installation manual states on p.3:
Lower yoke of snap up bracket until it is parallel with the ground, and slip the closest link over the hook (If there are less than 4 links between hook and u-bolt adjust ballmount angle rearward,
and repeat procedure - see Fig. 3 & 4 below).
Please read your quote more carefully: Lower the yoke of the snap-up bracket until
it (they are referring to the yoke of the snap-up bracket, not the spring bar) Also, note the illustration directly below that line where it shows the bracket in the parallel position, and the spring angled down away from the frame rail as 'right'.
Lastly, I fully understand that the trunnion style bars move just like the round ones do and the only reason I mentioned the trunnion style bars was to clear up the common misconception that ALL WD bars should be parallel to the frame.
Hope this clears it up a bit.
Barney
And this is where I take issue with your statement: NONE of the spring bars for ANY hitch setup I've seen are *supposed* to be parallel to anything. If they turn out to be (more or less) parallel to the trailer frame, ground, or any other arbitrary surface, then it's just a happy coincidence and nothing more. As long as there are 5 links or more under tension, and the tongue weight is being properly redistributed, who gives a flying fig whether or not the bars are parallel to anything? Parallelism does not, in any way, shape, or form, affect their function.
Also, lets just say, for the sake of discussion, that your statement is correct. Lets say that you have your trailer set up such that the spring bars are more or less parallel to the frame rails. Then you go camping for a week, and your front-kitchen camper now has an empty fresh water tank up front, full holding tanks behind the axle, and a now-empty cooler that once contained several hundred pounds of 'brown-pops.' With the lighter tongue weight, you would agree that it may be necessary to drop on link on the chains so as to reduce the weight distribution effect on the tow vehicle, correct? Doing so would result in spring bars that are now pointed (more or less) downwards... Should the head angle then be readjusted so as to make the bars parallel again? I don't see that sort of recommendation from any of the manufacturers anywhere... Any setting with 5-links or more under tension is OK as best I can tell from the links you listed.