Questions about Reese straight line setup.

Teamjd wrote:
I Just picked up a new toy hauler. I have a few questions about which trunion bars to use. I've towed a lot, just not with WDH.
I will be using it 50/50 toys/no toys.

Travel weight without toys - 9940 lbs.
GVWR trailer - 11,500 lbs.
TW - no toys (weighed) is 1540lb.

It came with a Reese straight-line WDH 1200TW/12000lb bars.

The bars are under max GVWR, but over max on TW.
Is one rating more important than the other?, or do I have to be under both?

I can adjust the trunion bars to get the front axle weight adjusted to the no trailer weight and height, the rear height is 1" low from no trailer height. To do this, I have to use up most of the chain. (2 links left).
With toys, the TW is 1300 lbs.,so I get a few chain links back.

Am I pushing my luck running over the max trunion TW?
Would I be better off using 1500 or 1700 lb. TW bars?

Thanks

You need to upgrade to 1500 lb bars. When I upgraded my trailer I had to go with 1500 lb bars per the discussion with a Reese tech. The rating on the bar is the maximum tongue weight that the bars are made for so 1500 lb bars will do both of your scenarios as long as the 1540 is loaded as you travel with all of your stuff.

I am concerned when you say you have only 2 links left. If you don't have the minimum number of links which I believe is 5 when you turn you will damage the cam bars. You need to make sure you follow the instructions very well and tilt the head back to get more load on the bars if you don't have the minimum number of links. The installation instruction are very good and clear on this.

If you have question I would recommend calling Reese tech support. They are extremely good and helpful. I have used them a number of times.

Some owners manuals for trucks say that the front height should be returned only by half of what it raised. You might be needlessly over stressing the bars which we already know are a bit light.

Thanks for the quick reply.
Yes, 1540 TW was from the scale I bought and confirmed at the CATS.

I didn't know about the 5 links. It was set up by the dealer.
I'll be reading a bit tonight.
Hopefully the dealer will swap out the bars to 1500 lbs.
It's parked now. I'll be sure to follow the instructions from now on.

Teamjd wrote:
Thanks for the quick reply.
Yes, 1540 TW was from the scale I bought and confirmed at the CATS.

I didn't know about the 5 links. It was set up by the dealer.
I'll be reading a bit tonight.
Hopefully the dealer will swap out the bars to 1500 lbs.
It's parked now. I'll be sure to follow the instructions from now on.

The 5 links is for non dual cam where the chains are attached to the WD bars themselves. That is so they have enough links to move fore and aft when turning. On the Dual Cam (straight Line) they can be less. On mine I had them at 3 links.

Try downloading the install sheets from Reese. They are exacting on what should be where. Do not trust that the dealer did it right! My first trailer with that hitch, which has the dual cams, the dealer was way off on the install and both sides were not even close. Start from scratch and do it with a ready to camp trailer. The fine tuning is tedious but when it is right it will make you very happy while you are towing. I am now using the same hitch that I bought in 2004 on my third trailer. Other than changing bars for each trailer to accommodate different tongue weights it is original and has over 50,000 miles on it.
You will find that there will be two chain spots to hitch up with. In my case, four free links with nothing in Black tank and five free if the tank has more than half. When you get into a routine of packing the same things in the same place it makes it easy. At that point tanks will be the only variable. Be patient setting it up and you will be rewarded.

If you have a 3/4+ ton pickup, I wouldn't worry about the 1200 pound bars as I do not think you have to restore 100% front axle weight as I recommend with half tons and smaller TVs. Use those bars until they break!

Just a final update.
Both Resse and GD said not to use that setup because it is under rated.
Any resulting damage would not be covered by warranty.
Dealer replaced it with 1600 lb. Equalizer set up because Resse no longer makes anything Straightline over 1500 lb. TW., or class V 2-1/2" shanks.

Thanks for the advice and encouragement.