I've read most everything regarding setting up a WDH and think I have a pretty good handle on the concepts. However, on my setup I have the hitch ball angle tilted back a good bit(6 washers), I crank the bars (#1,000) so they are level with the ground and with the trailer tongue. In that position the front axle of the TV has exactly the same weight on it as it does when not hitched and the rear axle has about #950 more than when unhitched. The trailer axles weigh #6900.It seems that there should be around #450 more on the front axle when hitched than when unhitched. The TV front and rear axles have exactly the same weights on them when unhitched so it seems logical they should have the same weights when hitched. To accomplish that I would have to take another link or two on the chain which will result in the bars being angled up toward the trailer instead of parallel to the ground and tongue. I'm not sure that would transfer #450 more to the front of the TV but it would surely transfer something up there.I'm not over weight on anything for the trailer or for the TV and the TV and trailer sit perfectly level when hitched and fender measurements are the same hitched or unhitched. I tow with a Nissan Armada and it has an auto leveling air suspension system that makes setting up using fender measurements kind of difficult. I can stick an extra #1500 in the rear of the TV and it will sit perfectly level due the auto level system. I can remove that same #1500 and it will self adjust to be perfectly level again. I can't set things up with the auto level fuse removed because then the rear of the TV sits on the TV axle stops even without the trailer connected. Any thoughts

I think you're good as it sits. As long as you returned the original weight to the front axle it's okay to have a bit more weight on the rear. You just want to make sure you don't lighten the front axle from how it sits with no trailer.

Hi,Many with new trailer weight distribution hitches make a mistake when trying to get more weight on the front axle. While it might have been important with a 1970's El Dorado car, the modern trucks really can handle a bit of load on the rear axle, and not require nearly as much weight being transferred to the front axle.One F-250 driver reported the truck and trailer feeling like it is springing a lot, and by loosening the WD bars, it actually towed a lot easier. So like stated above, don't worry if it tows good. My suggestion is if it does not tow good, loosen it and try again.Your Nissan is a lightweight compared to the F-250 or Expedition, so make sure that the scale is OK with the front and rear axle weights, and they are not being exceeded once your passengers are with you.Good luck,Fred.

I've read most everything regarding setting up a WDH and think I have a pretty good handle on the concepts. However, on my setup I have the hitch ball angle tilted back a good bit(6 washers), I crank the bars (#1,000) so they are level with the ground and with the trailer tongue. In that position the front axle of the TV has exactly the same weight on it as it does when not hitched and the rear axle has about #950 more than when unhitched. The trailer axles weigh #6900. It seems that there should be around #450 more on the front axle when hitched than when unhitched. The TV front and rear axles have exactly the same weights on them when unhitched so it seems logical they should have the same weights when hitched. To accomplish that I would have to take another link or two on the chain which will result in the bars being angled up toward the trailer instead of parallel to the ground and tongue. I'm not sure that would transfer #450 more to the front of the TV but it would surely transfer something up there. I'm not over weight on anything for the trailer or for the TV and the TV and trailer sit perfectly level when hitched and fender measurements are the same hitched or unhitched. I tow with a Nissan Armada and it has an auto leveling air suspension system that makes setting up using fender measurements kind of difficult. I can stick an extra #1500 in the rear of the TV and it will sit perfectly level due the auto level system. I can remove that same #1500 and it will self adjust to be perfectly level again. I can't set things up with the auto level fuse removed because then the rear of the TV sits on the TV axle stops even without the trailer connected. Any thoughts If it tows well you should be good. Only add back to the front axle the weight taken off by the tongue, not more, if that! Check the specs for your tow vehicle and determine if you should add back all the tongue weight taken off by the trailer's tongue or only half or some other percent. Some truck manufacturers specify how much tongue weight should be added back to the front axle using a WD hitch. Go to the scales to set that weight amount not measuring fenders or bumper to ground.

Well, of course the Armada is "light weight" compared to an F-250. It's even lighter weight when compared to an F-450. However, it is comparable to an F-150 or Expedition EL and with a #9,100 tow rating and a #15,100 GCWR it exceeds the requirements I'm placing on it with my particular #6,900 trailer by a comfortable margin. I just thought it seemed reasonable that the tongue weight should be distributed between the front and rear axle at the same ratio as the empty TV weight. It does tow pretty good but seems to wiggle a little when 18 wheelers go by. I suppose that could be a function of the fact that the Armada has a pretty short wheelbase compared to a pick-up. I'll check the Nissan web site and see what they say but haven't seen anything yet.Thanks for everyone's input.

As a test, you can shorten the chains (and the bars will not be parallel), get the weights and see how it compares. If the numbers come out better, and you feel batter, then make the adjustments to the set-up.Now, I may get shot full of holes on what I'm about to say here, I guess I have a bulls-eye on my back, but here goes.Your bars do not need to be perfectly parallel. (oh deer -- shoot me!) If they are tilted some, it won't hurt anything. Now, a really bad, out of parallel might be something else. But a small out of parallel won't hurt. I think the reason it is so strongly recommended to to keep those bars parallel is because that guarantees the bars will not hit the trailer frame when making a turn. When making a turn, the actual distance between the end of the bar and the frame becomes less. As long as the bars completely clear the trailer frame, they are good. So if you bars are not parallel, you do need to make sure they completely clear under the trailer A-frame. My Equal-i-zer bars are slightly out of parallel, and it doesn't hurt anything towing.Also, with your current arrangement, I suggest you just go ahead and take the rig for a test spin. If it handles good right now, then you're all set. As long as you have good steering control, I think you may be already set. Go for a drive and have fun!

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temccarthy1
Explorer
Nov 15, 2015
hohenwald48 wrote:
Well, of course the Armada is "light weight" compared to an F-250. It's even lighter weight when compared to an F-450. However, it is comparable to an F-150 or Expedition EL and with a #9,100 tow rating and a #15,100 GCWR it exceeds the requirements I'm placing on it with my particular #6,900 trailer by a comfortable margin.

I just thought it seemed reasonable that the tongue weight should be distributed between the front and rear axle at the same ratio as the empty TV weight. It does tow pretty good but seems to wiggle a little when 18 wheelers go by. I suppose that could be a function of the fact that the Armada has a pretty short wheelbase compared to a pick-up.

I'll check the Nissan web site and see what they say but haven't seen anything yet.

Thanks for everyone's input.

No matter how your load is distributed, you will get a wiggle when the big rigs pass you due to the air pressure pushing on the side of your rig! That is normal. I am just ready for it when I see a Rig overtaking me in the passing lane. Not to worry!
hohenwald48
Explorer
Nov 15, 2015
jmtandem wrote:
I just thought it seemed reasonable that the tongue weight should be distributed between the front and rear axle at the same ratio as the empty TV weight.

Maybe Nissan is different. However, I don't think you will find your statement supported by any tow vehicle manufacturer.

You're probably right. I just thought it seemed logical.

If you adjust your WDH based on the fender to ground measurement method isn't that what you're doing by adjusting the bars to lower the front and rear of the TV by an equal amount?

Hitched I have #2920 front axle and #4040 rear axle. Unhitched I have #2980 front axle and #3020 rear axle. Weights vary a little based on gas tank and "junk in the trunk". I have a little over 6,000 miles over the past couple of months with this set up.

I may be over thinking the whole thing.
jmtandem
Explorer II
Nov 15, 2015
I just thought it seemed reasonable that the tongue weight should be distributed between the front and rear axle at the same ratio as the empty TV weight.

Maybe Nissan is different. However, I don't think you will find your statement supported by any tow vehicle manufacturer.
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Nov 15, 2015
As a test, you can shorten the chains (and the bars will not be parallel), get the weights and see how it compares. If the numbers come out better, and you feel batter, then make the adjustments to the set-up.

Now, I may get shot full of holes on what I'm about to say here, I guess I have a bulls-eye on my back, but here goes.

Your bars do not need to be perfectly parallel. (oh deer -- shoot me!) If they are tilted some, it won't hurt anything. Now, a really bad, out of parallel might be something else. But a small out of parallel won't hurt. I think the reason it is so strongly recommended to to keep those bars parallel is because that guarantees the bars will not hit the trailer frame when making a turn. When making a turn, the actual distance between the end of the bar and the frame becomes less. As long as the bars completely clear the trailer frame, they are good. So if you bars are not parallel, you do need to make sure they completely clear under the trailer A-frame.

My Equal-i-zer bars are slightly out of parallel, and it doesn't hurt anything towing.

Also, with your current arrangement, I suggest you just go ahead and take the rig for a test spin. If it handles good right now, then you're all set. As long as you have good steering control, I think you may be already set. Go for a drive and have fun!
hohenwald48
Explorer
Nov 15, 2015
Well, of course the Armada is "light weight" compared to an F-250. It's even lighter weight when compared to an F-450. However, it is comparable to an F-150 or Expedition EL and with a #9,100 tow rating and a #15,100 GCWR it exceeds the requirements I'm placing on it with my particular #6,900 trailer by a comfortable margin.

I just thought it seemed reasonable that the tongue weight should be distributed between the front and rear axle at the same ratio as the empty TV weight. It does tow pretty good but seems to wiggle a little when 18 wheelers go by. I suppose that could be a function of the fact that the Armada has a pretty short wheelbase compared to a pick-up.

I'll check the Nissan web site and see what they say but haven't seen anything yet.

Thanks for everyone's input.
jmtandem
Explorer II
Nov 15, 2015
I've read most everything regarding setting up a WDH and think I have a pretty good handle on the concepts. However, on my setup I have the hitch ball angle tilted back a good bit(6 washers), I crank the bars (#1,000) so they are level with the ground and with the trailer tongue. In that position the front axle of the TV has exactly the same weight on it as it does when not hitched and the rear axle has about #950 more than when unhitched. The trailer axles weigh #6900.

It seems that there should be around #450 more on the front axle when hitched than when unhitched. The TV front and rear axles have exactly the same weights on them when unhitched so it seems logical they should have the same weights when hitched. To accomplish that I would have to take another link or two on the chain which will result in the bars being angled up toward the trailer instead of parallel to the ground and tongue. I'm not sure that would transfer #450 more to the front of the TV but it would surely transfer something up there.

I'm not over weight on anything for the trailer or for the TV and the TV and trailer sit perfectly level when hitched and fender measurements are the same hitched or unhitched. I tow with a Nissan Armada and it has an auto leveling air suspension system that makes setting up using fender measurements kind of difficult. I can stick an extra #1500 in the rear of the TV and it will sit perfectly level due the auto level system. I can remove that same #1500 and it will self adjust to be perfectly level again. I can't set things up with the auto level fuse removed because then the rear of the TV sits on the TV axle stops even without the trailer connected.

Any thoughts

If it tows well you should be good. Only add back to the front axle the weight taken off by the tongue, not more, if that! Check the specs for your tow vehicle and determine if you should add back all the tongue weight taken off by the trailer's tongue or only half or some other percent. Some truck manufacturers specify how much tongue weight should be added back to the front axle using a WD hitch. Go to the scales to set that weight amount not measuring fenders or bumper to ground.
Golden_HVAC
Explorer
Nov 15, 2015
Hi,

Many with new trailer weight distribution hitches make a mistake when trying to get more weight on the front axle. While it might have been important with a 1970's El Dorado car, the modern trucks really can handle a bit of load on the rear axle, and not require nearly as much weight being transferred to the front axle.

One F-250 driver reported the truck and trailer feeling like it is springing a lot, and by loosening the WD bars, it actually towed a lot easier.

So like stated above, don't worry if it tows good. My suggestion is if it does not tow good, loosen it and try again.

Your Nissan is a lightweight compared to the F-250 or Expedition, so make sure that the scale is OK with the front and rear axle weights, and they are not being exceeded once your passengers are with you.

Good luck,

Fred.
opnspaces
Navigator II
Nov 15, 2015
I think you're good as it sits. As long as you returned the original weight to the front axle it's okay to have a bit more weight on the rear. You just want to make sure you don't lighten the front axle from how it sits with no trailer.

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