Look at my hitch set up please....

Tom,

We are talking about two totally different issues. I am referring to the relationship (fixed) between head tilt and chain links or in the case of a hitch like the Equalizer a spacer of tilt in the head relates directly to a hole in the 'L' brackets. That is what I was trying to convey to the OP in her hitch set-up. That relationship is totally independent on tongue weight or even zero tongue weight.

You are referring to tongue weight on the spring bars as the hitch and bars and chain take up tongue weight. In my suggestion to the OP, tongue weight has nothing to do with the tilt/chain link relationship.

Empirical: based on, concerned with, or verifiable by observation or experience rather than theory or pure logic.

I can dig out some old scale tickets, if that is what you need to see. Take a trip to the scales and acquire your own "Empirical" data. What is it that you want? That every chain link will change the front axle weight by "X" number of pounds? Give me all the variables involved and I will do the math.

Tom, again please provide the formula expressing chain links under tension as it relates to tilt of the hitch head. And then relate that to scale weights.

jmtandem wrote:

I am one of the biggest believers in knowing the scale weights. However, having said that I would appreciate TomG2 providing some empirical data or formulas that express tilt and spring bar chain links as it directly relates to scale weights. ...snip....

Anyone who understands how weight distributing hitches work will understand what happens when one changes "Tilt, chain position, spring bar ratings, etc." It is simple engineering. Weights and measurements are the way to evaluate the installation. Try changing the number of links under tension and weigh the results on axle weights if you don't believe me.

hohenwald48 wrote:
Yeah, you really need a power tongue jack. Easily worth a few hundred extra bucks. I can't imagine life without one.

I do have one thank God!

jmtandem wrote:

How would knowing the actual weights involved be used to determine the number of chain links and the hitch tilt needed to make the trailer, truck and spring bars level?

Is there some kind of formula involved?

I am one of the biggest believers in knowing the scale weights. However, having said that I would appreciate TomG2 providing some empirical data or formulas that express tilt and spring bar chain links as it directly relates to scale weights. There is a clear relationship between head tilt and chain links but I have never found a relationship between links, tilt and scale weights. In her picture, if the camera's angle is not causing some difficulties in understanding the hitch setup, the tilt is perhaps excessive provoking the need for more chain links than generally warranted and resulting in the spring bars being lowered too much. This can easily be adjusted by lessening the head tilt a small amount and reducing the chain links. The tension would be the same regardless but the spring bars would be higher and less subject to touching the ground and a little more parallel to the frame. Lastly, the OP needs to use the tongue jack to correctly tension the bars. Just because she is not strong enough to tension the bars without the tongue jack is not justification for an improper spring bar tensioned hitch.

Again, a pic of the trailer and truck hitched on level ground would really help. If the trailer is not level or nearly so, all parameters need to be reassessed.

There really isn't any room to move those chain brackets with the propane tanks being right there.

Yeah, you really need a power tongue jack. Easily worth a few hundred extra bucks. I can't imagine life without one.

I sent this pic to the dealer where I purchased it which is now under new ownership and they asked me to bring it in so they can make it right. I just want to be well educated when I go as to make sure things are done correctly this time.

Amazing, even the dealership realized it was not set up correctly. Hopefully, they get it right this time. From the new pics you provided the trailer does look level. That is good, now just get the hitch adjusted correctly and you should be good to go. I think I see from the pic sufficient room between the frame and the ground that the spring bars would not normally touch the ground properly
adjusted. Ask for a power tongue jack if you don't have one. It makes tensioning/releasing tension much easier and quicker.

The dealer where I bought my trailer hooked this up for me. So I would have trusted that they knew what they were doing. I had to purchase an 11" shank because I need to drop the ball down so much, due to the under slung coupler. I am learning so much. I sent this pic to the dealer where I purchased it which is now under new ownership and they asked me to bring it in so they can make it right. I just want to be well educated when I go as to make sure things are done correctly this time.