Setting up an under frame mount coupler with WD setup

BarneyS wrote:
I am not so sure you really do understand the typical setup as you stated because of your last statement. What do you mean by " negative tilt"? The hitch head should tilt back towards the trailer and should not move at all when the bars are drawn up. It needs to be in a fixed postion. That position is determined by the amount of weight distribution needed when the bars are at the proper angle and the number of chain links needed under tension to achieve proper weight distribution.

Barney

The negative tilt I am talking about is what happened when the dealer set it up. They positioned the head by placing it on the truck, and the adjusting the tilt until it was level. Then due to the slop between the 2" shank and the 2" receiver tube when the bars were put under tension the shank went from resting in the bottom of the receiver tube to now pressing on the top of the receiver tube. That movement cause the head to go from level to being tilted toward the truck. I know this is wrong, but was just verifying that it is wrong. If you look at the photo I posted of it hitched to the truck you can see this "negative" tilt. I told the dealer it was wrong but I think at this point after putting together two WD setup on the same combination they had had enough, and said it is fine. I just said I would fix it later then after we got it home.

Frozen001 wrote:
I totally understand the typical setup, but with his trailer having the coupler on the bottom of the frame and I am wondering if being on the last or second to last link is a problem since I thin that is were it is going to fall. Also just to be sure, the ball had should not have "negative tilt" correct, the farthest forward should be level under tension correct?

Many on here have bottom mount couplers and have no problems setting up their WD hitch. There is no reason not to use the last link in the chain as it is just as strong as any other link.

I am not so sure you really do understand the typical setup as you stated because of your last statement. What do you mean by " negative tilt"? The hitch head should tilt back towards the trailer and should not move at all when the bars are drawn up. It needs to be in a fixed postion. That position is determined by the amount of weight distribution needed when the bars are at the proper angle and the number of chain links needed under tension to achieve proper weight distribution.

I suggest you take a long look at this thread which will help you. About 2/3 of the way down the page there is a picture and post about member Turk2500's trailer who has the same type low mount coupler that you have. Take a look at his setup, but also study that whole post including the provided links. I think that thread will give you a lot of information to help you get your fathers trailer set up properly
Barney

Last link is just as strong as the first link. Chain length makes no difference

I also have a windjammer with the under mount coupler. On my propride hitch I use the last hole in the link bar

On his hitch you want the head tilt and chain length adjusted so the spring bars are about parallel to the frame when the front end is at unloaded height and a slight downward tilt on the head. You may need to add or remove washers adjusting tilt and then add or remove chain links or restore front axle weight.

With the under mount coupler you will need longer chains than a similar setup on a top mount coupler to get the bars parallel.

Linc

I totally understand the typical setup, but with his trailer having the coupler on the bottom of the frame and I am wondering if being on the last or second to last link is a problem since I thin that is were it is going to fall. Also just to be sure, the ball had should not have "negative tilt" correct, the farthest forward should be level under tension correct?

You can go to Reese's web site they have instructions on how to set it up. Once you do that go to a cat scale and weigh the setup to make sure you are at least close.

There are some very good videos here.
etrailer.com