Forum Discussion

way2roll's avatar
way2roll
Navigator II
Oct 12, 2020

Headlights aiming up when towing?

The FW and truck in my signature are well within specs for towing. When I hook up the FW the bed of the truck drops to just about level which seems about perfect. That said I noticed the other night while driving and towing the FW, folks were flashing their high beams at me. My high beams weren't on. Happened enough that I knew it was no coincidence. Then it occurred to me, could my headlights be aimed more upward when the FW is hooked up? I imagine they are dialed in when the truck is without any weight, when you add 3k lbs it lowers the rear, even if only a few inches and thus aiming the front up. Is this enough to make people think I have my high beams on?
Tow Vehicles
  • MFL's avatar
    MFL
    Nomad II
    Oct 12, 2020
    Yes, a few inches down in the rear will make a noticeable difference. Are you blinding oncoming traffic?? Probably not, just people being too quick to flash their lights to announce your beam is a little high. Same people blow their horn the second the light turns green. Same people honk/flip you for pulling into traffic, making them slow to the speed limit. They can see your FW clearance lights, know you are towing heavy.

    Jerry
  • Fisherman's avatar
    Fisherman
    Explorer
    Oct 12, 2020
    I would say it's pretty obvious. At night, park your empty truck 25 feet from a clean wall on level ground and mark the center of the high beam on the wall. Measure it. Do the same with the trailer hooked up and do the same. I'll bet you'll notice a serious difference.
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator
    Oct 12, 2020
    Yup!
    That's a heck of a nice setup for first time towing (at night)! Have fun!

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