Forces on frame w/WDH on a grade
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 tra...
Forum Discussion
Daystorm,
Your camper looks like it has a super slide and as such the trailer may be made stronger on the A frame. Don't know what A frame or even more so, header setup you have. The A frame may not necessarily be the weak link.
We had a good discussion a while back on this hitch angle question and the forces. We sort of nick named one set of forces in the hitch as "back flex" when the truck is on the level and the camper up hill from it or the camper on the level and the truck going up hill.
Then there was "truck lift" We nicked name that what happens to the back of the truck when back flex occurs. The spring bars load up, truck lift occurs and then the bars settle back closer to the normal loads.
However this was all going forward. Going back words like in your case, the truck receiver "might" be the weak link. Going forward and over high up RR crossing and back down, creates back flex and truck lift but the receiver is pulling all the time going forward.
When in reverse and the TT going up hill, the receiver is under different loading being pushed by the truck. You have 1,200# WD bars on a receiver rated for how much? 1,000# or is it larger? The older F150's where on lower ratings. Don't know what the new ones are.
When backing up, the receiver is driven down and going up hill creates another dynamic with back flex and until truck lift occurs.
Point: Keep an eye on the receiver for a permanent bend downwards or cracks. If your receiver has lots of rating above the WD bars, this helps reduce the concern.
Actually taking the WD bars off totally and backing up on a marginal rated receiver may be even worse.
Hope this helps
John
Your camper looks like it has a super slide and as such the trailer may be made stronger on the A frame. Don't know what A frame or even more so, header setup you have. The A frame may not necessarily be the weak link.
We had a good discussion a while back on this hitch angle question and the forces. We sort of nick named one set of forces in the hitch as "back flex" when the truck is on the level and the camper up hill from it or the camper on the level and the truck going up hill.
Then there was "truck lift" We nicked name that what happens to the back of the truck when back flex occurs. The spring bars load up, truck lift occurs and then the bars settle back closer to the normal loads.
However this was all going forward. Going back words like in your case, the truck receiver "might" be the weak link. Going forward and over high up RR crossing and back down, creates back flex and truck lift but the receiver is pulling all the time going forward.
When in reverse and the TT going up hill, the receiver is under different loading being pushed by the truck. You have 1,200# WD bars on a receiver rated for how much? 1,000# or is it larger? The older F150's where on lower ratings. Don't know what the new ones are.
When backing up, the receiver is driven down and going up hill creates another dynamic with back flex and until truck lift occurs.
Point: Keep an eye on the receiver for a permanent bend downwards or cracks. If your receiver has lots of rating above the WD bars, this helps reduce the concern.
Actually taking the WD bars off totally and backing up on a marginal rated receiver may be even worse.
Hope this helps
John
