Help with hitch / tongue weight

mkirsch wrote:
You load up the truck FIRST, then measure the front ride height. Hitch up the trailer and dial in the WD bars to bring the truck back to where it was loaded but NOT hitched!

I fully agree. Your statement is consistent with the following WDH-adjustment for Equal-I-zer and Reese hitches and also for Ford and Chevrolet/GMC vehicles (except for specific load restoration values).

For example, Progress Mfg was the first WDH manufacturer to adopt the Front Axle Load Restoration (FALR) approach for adjustment of the Equal-I-zer WDH.
The Equal-I-zer Instructions state:

Step 1 - Set up Location:
Before installing the hitch, the tow vehicle and trailer should be loaded just as they will be while traveling. This includes full propane and fresh water tanks, and any other cargo the tow vehicle (passengers & gear) or trailer will carry, including ATVs for toy haulers. Tow vehicle “auto-level” systems should also be disabled or turned off temporarily. Park the trailer and tow vehicle on level ground and in line with each other. Chock and uncouple the trailer. Pull tow vehicle ahead about 5 feet to allow working area and set the parking brake.
Take the initial setup measurements for the tow vehicle by measuring from the ground to the top of the wheel wells directly above both the front and back axles of the tow vehicle. See figure 18. Record these on line A of the Weight Distribution Adjustments tables in Step 6.

Subsequent instructions state that, when the TT is hitched, the WD should be adjusted to eliminate 50-100% of the front-end rise due to tongue weight only.

Recently-revised instructions for Reese WDHs state:

INITIAL HOOK UP NOTE: Car and trailer should be loaded and ready for travel before final leveling.
1. Pick reference points on front wheel well. Measure and record distance to pavement.
Front wheel well to pavement ___________________

For proper adjustment of the WFH, Reese goes on to state:

Re-measure front wheel well reference point. The front wheel well height should be equal to the original measurement.

For both Equal-I-zer and Reese, the current WDH adjustment specifications are based on the front end load/height changes due to tongue weight only. The WDH adjustment does not compensate for TV cargo weight.

The current Ford F-150 Owners Manual states:
"

When hooking-up a trailer using a weight-distributing hitch, always use the following procedure:
1. Park the loaded vehicle, without the trailer, on a level surface.
2. Measure the height to the top of your vehicle’s front wheel opening
on the fender. This is H1.
3. Securely attach the loaded trailer to your vehicle without the weight-distributing bars connected.
4. Measure the height to the top of your vehicle’s front wheel opening
on the fender a second time. This is H2.
5. Install and adjust the tension in the weight-distributing bars so that the height of your vehicle’s front wheel opening on the fender is
approximately halfway between H1 and H2.
6. Check that the trailer is level or slightly nose down toward your
vehicle. If not, adjust the ball height accordingly and repeat Steps 2–6.

"

The Silverado Owners Manual states:
"

When using a weight-distributing hitch, measure distance (1) before coupling the trailer to the hitch ball. Measure the height again after the trailer is coupled and adjust the spring bars so the distance (1) is as close as possible to halfway between the two measurements.

"

Note: None of these major WDH and TV manufacturers say you should measure the reference heights with an empty TV and then load the TV and adjust the WDH to return the front of the TV to its empty height.
It boils down to whether you want to follow the above instructions or follow opinions of etrailer salespersons and verbiage from a Cequent sales catalog which conflicts with installation instructions for Cequent products.

Ron