Add that there are a few more goals to all of these adjustments (dials, knobs, etc)
One is to have the trailer tongue level at it's highest pointing and I prefer pointed slightly down
Have seen folks run in circles dialing in with what worked for others...but there really is no one size fits all in adjustments...just whatever it takes to get to the above goal
Another is that the tongue weight needs to be as high in the standard 10%-15% recommendation. Most OEMs use a 10% of a 'dryt' trailer weight...recommend a min of 12%, but that is usually limited by the TV's GVWR and mainly it's rear GAWR
And back to Barney's comments...spot on IMHO...and of course decide if you believe in the OEM's spec/ratings or not. If not, then this is an academic discussion...if yes...gather the info needed to dail the setup in to your TV's specifications. That will require a trip(s) to the scales...
BarneyS wrote:
No, the goal of the WD is NOT to make the truck settle evenly. That used to be the thinking but times have changed.
The goal is to get the weight back on the front axle of the truck that was taken off. If you remove 200lbs off the front when hooking up the trailer then you should adjust the WD bars to put that 200lbs back on the front axle. The back of the truck is still going to sag some. That is not the concern, and is just the way trucks work. The goal is to return the lost weight back to the front axle. Some manufacturers say to only return half the lost weight but I don't believe in that. That would still give you poorly aimed headlights and allow you to see the squirrels in the trees.
We have two very helpful threads stuck to the top of this forum. One is called Weight Distribution (WD)Hitch - how it works, and the other that I think you should read is Travel Trailer Hitch Set-Up Procedure.
I think reading both of those threads will help you a whole lot in understanding your hitch and how to set it up properly.
By the way, crank up that tongue jack as far as you need to go to get the bars on safely. That is one reason so many of us have power tongue jacks! :B I also agree with those saying you probably need stronger bars.
Good reading and good luck.:)
Barney
