Distribution Hitch Preload

The proper way to do it is to weight your vehicle and trailer at the CAT scale and adjust the spring bars so that you return most of the weight, removed from the front wheels by the trailer, back to the front wheels. In my case, the front wheels without the trailer are 100Lbs heavier that they are with the trailer and WDH connected. I call that close enough.
Regarding tension. Yes, it takes a lot of force to engage the spring bars. In fact, most people don't try to engage the spring bars unless they raise the tongue of the trailer with the tongue jack.
You might look around on this site and RV.net I have seen some "sticky threads" that explain it in great detail.

ajriding wrote:
I am wondering how much tension (preload) I can put on the weight distribution hitch "springs". Mine use chains attached to the spring or trunion bar and tension is applied by pulling up on the chains.
How much can the hitch typically take?
I have along lever tool to set the chains in place and can put the tension on, but at what point do I risk breaking something (springs, hitch cradle etc)?
To get the truck to sit at normal height takes a lot of spring tension. I typically have the tongue jack raising everything when I do the WD bars, but still is a lot of force.
I understand the hitch, so don't need instruction on how it works, just not sure how much it can handle.
Also, when I go through road dips the tension greatly increases, so needs to be considered?

Mine is similar to the Curt