Greetings,Hopefully, someone on here can help me. I need to install a weight distribution hitch in order to safely tow my travel trailer; however, my driveway is not long enough, so my tow vehicle is not level. My question is does the tow vehicle have to be level to install the hitch? I'm not sure how to get around this issue, assuming it's vital to setting up the hitch properly. Thanks!ChrisPortland, OR

There is no difference in level and flat ground for setting up the hitch. Once you figure out the settings for the bars... when on flat ground, no.

Install almost anywhere. Adjust on level ground. TV and TT should both be level when finished.

Caboostanley wrote:Greetings,Hopefully, someone on here can help me. I need to install a weight distribution hitch in order to safely tow my travel trailer; however, my driveway is not long enough, so my tow vehicle is not level. My question is does the tow vehicle have to be level to install the hitch? I'm not sure how to get around this issue, assuming it's vital to setting up the hitch properly. Thanks!ChrisPortland, ORYes, you'll need to have both units level in order to properly set up the hitch. P.S. I have no idea what the previous poster is trying to say.

^Hes saying once you know the setting then it doesn’t matter where you hook it up at. OP, go set it up in a flat area. You can tow your trailer somewhere close by without being all strapped up belt n suspenders (wdh).

If you are on a flat surface that is reasonably level you can make the adjustments. Get it close and then take your tools with you and find a parking lot to do the final work. Don’t use a level, instead use a tape measure and make your trailer parallel to the pavement.

Weight Distribution Hitch | Good Sam Community

Ivylog
Explorer III
Jun 05, 2021
There is no difference in level and flat ground for setting up the hitch. Once you figure out the settings for the bars... when on flat ground, no.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Jun 05, 2021
Install almost anywhere. Adjust on level ground. TV and TT should both be level when finished.
lwbfl
Explorer
Jun 05, 2021
Caboostanley wrote:
Greetings,

Hopefully, someone on here can help me. I need to install a weight distribution hitch in order to safely tow my travel trailer; however, my driveway is not long enough, so my tow vehicle is not level. My question is does the tow vehicle have to be level to install the hitch? I'm not sure how to get around this issue, assuming it's vital to setting up the hitch properly.

Thanks!

Chris
Portland, OR

Yes, you'll need to have both units level in order to properly set up the hitch. P.S. I have no idea what the previous poster is trying to say.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Jun 05, 2021
^Hes saying once you know the setting then it doesn’t matter where you hook it up at.
OP, go set it up in a flat area. You can tow your trailer somewhere close by without being all strapped up belt n suspenders (wdh).
Lynnmor
Explorer
Jun 05, 2021
If you are on a flat surface that is reasonably level you can make the adjustments. Get it close and then take your tools with you and find a parking lot to do the final work. Don’t use a level, instead use a tape measure and make your trailer parallel to the pavement.
Tyler0215
Explorer
Jun 05, 2021
Find a nearby parking lot (I used a nearby church lot) and take your tools with you.
goducks10
Explorer
Jun 06, 2021
FWIW level isn't parallel. You want the TT to be parallel to the ground.
Find a flat spot to do the initial setup then use those parameters anywhere you hitch up.
lwbfl
Explorer
Jun 06, 2021
Grit dog wrote:
^Hes saying once you know the setting then it doesn’t matter where you hook it up at.
OP, go set it up in a flat area. You can tow your trailer somewhere close by without being all strapped up belt n suspenders (wdh).

When I posted that I was the third comment. So the one I didn't understand was "no difference in flat or level when setting up". Although true, it had no bearing on the OP's question.
aftermath
Explorer III
Jun 07, 2021
Lynnmor wrote:
If you are on a flat surface that is reasonably level you can make the adjustments. Get it close and then take your tools with you and find a parking lot to do the final work. Don’t use a level, instead use a tape measure and make your trailer parallel to the pavement.

This is it. The street in front of my house is not "level" but it is straight. Think about that for a minute. I set up my hitch doing exactly what Lynnmor described. I have checked it many times on "nearly level" ground and it is just fine.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Jun 07, 2021
lwbfl wrote:
Grit dog wrote:
^Hes saying once you know the setting then it doesn’t matter where you hook it up at.
OP, go set it up in a flat area. You can tow your trailer somewhere close by without being all strapped up belt n suspenders (wdh).

When I posted that I was the third comment. So the one I didn't understand was "no difference in flat or level when setting up". Although true, it had no bearing on the OP's question.

No worries, it was a bit cornfussing!
aftermath makes a good point. Level area doesn't really matter, just flat, as in no slope breaks in the surface. Within reason of course...