Forces on frame w/WDH on a grade

daystrom wrote:
I have an Equal-i-zer brand hitch with 1,200/12,000 lb bars.

My trailer's tongue is 1000 lbs loaded weighed using the bathroom scale method.

I have to back into my driveway when storing the trailer. My driveway has a slight incline from the street and then it levels out.

My question is what kind of forces are going on to the frame of the trailer and/or truck when the trailer is going up the incline while the truck is still somewhat level?

Yes, the force applied by the spring bars increases as the trailer goes up - and the force applied goes down as the trailer goes lower. How much depends on the spring bars and the angle. You called it a slight incline, so it may not be more than 1200 lbs.

My thinking is the spring bars are lifting the rear of the truck up until it levels out.

The spring bars are lifting even when level, otherwise there would be no point in using them. :)

I guess I'm just wondering if I have too much force on something while backing up with the potential of breaking something?

The Equal-i-zer doesn't have chains - right? If it did, you could just loosen a link or two when entering or leaving the driveway. But I wouldn't expect a problem - because the shock and bounce of driving down a level road will multiplying the 1000 lbs load the bars are putting on the frame. Driving slowly across a slight incline may put as much as 1500 lbs on the frame - but without the shock and bounce. Also remember that there are two spring bars, so 1500 lbs is still only 750 lbs per frame rail.

But I am speculating because I don't know the construction of your trailer frame, how the Equal-i-zer bars are attached to it, or what the tow-vehicle to trailer angle really is.