Change weight by adding washer to WD hitch?
If I add a washer to my WD hitch and use the same link on chain, will it improve my weight numbers? ie. help load steer axle. Is 60# off the steer axle worth worrying about? Just trying to dial it in...
Forum Discussion
The "parallel to the frame" is primarily for the round bar chain type hitches. The reason for this is that the bars move forward and backwards during turns and sharp maneuvers. This forward and backward movement can cause the bars to crash into the the frame or the chain mounts and also cause un-even movement of the chains back and forth.
This also ties in with the requirement for a minimum number of links under tension. If there are not enough (usually 5 minimum) then the chains can drag the snap-up bracket along the frame and/or cause the bar to crash into the snap-up and frame.
There needs to be enough links under tension to allow this back and forth movement. If you only have a couple of links under tension, there is no room for them to move.
That above "parallel to the frame" is for round bar hitchs only. The "Trunnion" style of hitch bar is supposed to point downwards back towards the trailer. That is the way the trunnion that fastens the bar to the hitch head is designed.
As far as telling when the bar is "parallel to the frame" goes, just use your imagination. I am quite sure you will be able to tell close enough! This is not rocket science.
Barney
This also ties in with the requirement for a minimum number of links under tension. If there are not enough (usually 5 minimum) then the chains can drag the snap-up bracket along the frame and/or cause the bar to crash into the snap-up and frame.
There needs to be enough links under tension to allow this back and forth movement. If you only have a couple of links under tension, there is no room for them to move.
That above "parallel to the frame" is for round bar hitchs only. The "Trunnion" style of hitch bar is supposed to point downwards back towards the trailer. That is the way the trunnion that fastens the bar to the hitch head is designed.
As far as telling when the bar is "parallel to the frame" goes, just use your imagination. I am quite sure you will be able to tell close enough! This is not rocket science.
Barney
