cargo weight distribution

danimal53 wrote:

So I know the TT cargo weight should be distributed roughly 60/40, 60% of weight in front of the axle, 40% behind, for safer towing and balance.

You don't use a ratio split like 60/40 to size or adjust anything. You need to size your WDH based on actual tongue weight.

danimal53 wrote:

I have an E2 WD hitch that the dealer sold and installed.

Never expect a dealer to install the right WDH or adjust it correctly. They can really mess these things up and even send folks away in an unsafe situation. Learn yourself how WDHs get sized and adjusted and that way you will know it's done right and also understand better how these work. Excellent info. in the towing forum. Adjusting the angle of the hitch head and setting it up for the right number of chain links is as simple as measuring before and after front fender heights.

danimal53 wrote:

They gave me 10,000lb bars, which I now realize is way too much (TT is only 3700lb max) and is maybe raising the coupler too much.

danimal53 wrote:

So I know the TT cargo weight should be distributed roughly 60/40, 60% of weight in front of the axle, 40% behind, for safer towing and balance.

You don't use a ratio split like 60/40 to size or adjust anything. A WDH gets sized based on actual tongue weight, or sometimes on calculated/estimated tongue weight.

danimal53 wrote:

I have an E2 WD hitch that the dealer sold and installed.

Never expect a dealer to install the right WDH or adjust it correctly. They can really mess these things up and even send folks away in an unsafe situation. Learn yourself how WDHs get sized and adjusted and that way you will know it's done right and also understand better how these work. Excellent info. in the towing forum. Adjusting the angle of the hitch head and setting it up for the right number of chain links is as simple as measuring before and after front fender heights.

danimal53 wrote:

They gave me 10,000lb bars, which I now realize is way too much (TT is only 3700lb max) and is maybe raising the coupler too much.

Having too heavy a rating on spring bars can damage the TT frame in some cases. It can also make for a stiffer and more uncomfortable ride. 3700 lbs is the dry weight or GVWR? Without detail, if the dry weight is 3700 lbs, I'd guess the actual weight of your TT fully loaded and ready for a camping trip would be in the order of 5,000 - 5,500 lbs. (should not exceed the GVWR). Tongue wt. is normally in the 10-15% range with 12-13% being about average. Should never ever be less than 10%. If you were to use 13% at 5500 lbs, your bars should be rated based on a tongue wt. of .13 x 500 = 715 lbs. It looks like 800 lb bars would be the correct size. You could go to a scale to get your actual tongue wt. but I think the result would suggest 800 lb bars anyway.

If the 3700 lbs is GVWR, then the tongue wt. is going to be more like 481 lbs and the bars would likely want to be rated at 600 lbs. If so, the 1,000 lb. bars are grossly oversized.

I would go back to the dealer and insist on a 800/8,000 lb rated E2 WDH or 600/6000 as applicable.

The TT should sit level or slightly nose down when the WDH is sized and set up correctly. Tire pressure is another important factor. The best thing you can do is go to the towing forum and read up on all the info. on installing and setting up a WDH and anything else that is a factor.

Hope this isn't too harsh. :D But do go back to the dealer and be harsh with them. :M