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bowler1's avatar
bowler1
Explorer
Aug 14, 2016

Helper Springs and WDH Adjustment???

Hi,
I have a Tundra and am pushing the upper end of the max payload. I decided to get some helper springs which I am getting installed this week. I think this should help matters.

So here is a question...how much readjustment do you think I will need to do to my WDH? I have an Equalizer hitch.

My guess I is that the rear end will not sag as far and that I will need to move the ball hitch down an inch or two.

I also imagine that I will not have to transfer as much weight to the front wheels and can back off a notch or two with the spring bars.

Eventually I will need to re-adjust it by the book once I can find a nice flat spot to do it, but for starters I think I will probably just move the ball height by the amount of sag that the helper springs reduce, and then take a notch of two of weight distribution off the spring bars.

What do you think?

Matt

7 Replies

  • 93Cobra2771's avatar
    93Cobra2771
    Explorer
    Aug 17, 2016
    I would measure front fender height loaded/hooked/bars engaged as is.

    Then, do same once you have helper springs installed.

    If there is more than an one half inch of difference between the two measurements, you will likely need to add a washer or two of hitch angle to give your spring bars a bit more height.

    Cliff notes: less sag in the back with the helper springs will actually decrease the amount of weight being transferred by the spring bars (due to amount of angle difference between TV & TT). Sometimes it isn't enough to worry about. Sometimes yo might need to add a bit of angle to the hitch head (via a washer or two) to get things back where they need to be.

    Your tongue height will not affect the spring bar adjustment. In fact, tongue height is the last thing to adjust after spring bars are where you want them.
  • Diesel_Camper's avatar
    Diesel_Camper
    Explorer
    Aug 16, 2016
    I think the best thing to do when you get it back in it's final form is to hook it all up and re-measure everything. Adjust as needed based on actual observations.
  • 3oaks's avatar
    3oaks
    Explorer
    Aug 14, 2016
    Just what the others have said. ;)

    I went through the same scenario just a month ago. Although I wasn't near the upper end of my payload limit of my F150, I added a pair of SuperSprings for Etrailer.

    All that was necessary for me to do was lower the hitch head on the shank in order to level the our TT.
  • KD4UPL's avatar
    KD4UPL
    Explorer II
    Aug 14, 2016
    Your tongue weight won't change so your spring bars shouldn't change.
  • BarneyS's avatar
    BarneyS
    Explorer III
    Aug 14, 2016
    You may have to move the ball down a bit to get the trailer level but I would leave the WD bars setting alone. If it is right for your trailer now, changing the the ball height will not affect the the WD. You still have the same leverage of the weight off the front axle which is restored by the WD bars. That has not changed.
    Barney
  • ifd22's avatar
    ifd22
    Explorer
    Aug 14, 2016
    With my airbags I inflated to the pressure I wanted to tow with, then I started over with my hitch. I ended up dropping the hitch down two holes to make the trailer level, but I left the tension the same. With the helper springs your still going to want to transfer the same amount of weight to the steer axle.

    The first time I towed with the bags the ride and handling were horrible, I also tried to remove some tension from my hitch, but that just unloaded the front end.

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