Thought I posted this somewhere but can't find it. Oh well. I have about a 1.5 to 2" angle on the chains when I hook up my TT to my TV. Someone said that I'm not getting the full weight distribution experience and it could compromise my setup. I want to move the system but my propane bottles and tray are right in the way. Not to mention my anti-sway. It'll be close but doable. Just asking if the angle means a lot. Haven't hooked up since putting on the new shoes but I'm heading to Tenn. later this month and need to be sure I'm safely towing.Thanks in advance.God Bless!Phil Montana

Could you post a picture..that would really help getting some good advice?

Thought I posted this somewhere but can't find it. Oh well. I have about a 1.5 to 2" angle on the chains when I hook up my TT to my TV. Someone said that I'm not getting the full weight distribution experience and it could compromise my setup. I want to move the system but my propane bottles and tray are right in the way. Not to mention my anti-sway. It'll be close but doable. Just asking if the angle means a lot. Haven't hooked up since putting on the new shoes but I'm heading to Tenn. later this month and need to be sure I'm safely towingIf you are talking about the chains for the weight distribution not being straight up and down, I would concur that getting them vertical or as near to that as possible would yield the best performance.

2013zoeyzinger wrote:Thought I posted this somewhere but can't find it. Oh well. I have about a 1.5 to 2" angle on the chains when I hook up my TT to my TV. Someone said that I'm not getting the full weight distribution experience and it could compromise my setup. I want to move the system but my propane bottles and tray are right in the way. Not to mention my anti-sway. It'll be close but doable. Just asking if the angle means a lot. Haven't hooked up since putting on the new shoes but I'm heading to Tenn. later this month and need to be sure I'm safely towing.Thanks in advance.God Bless!Phil MontanaWhat WD hitch do you have? Can only relate what I know about the Reese StraitLine (my hitch). It was installed by our dealer when we took delivery of our TT. The snap up brackets for chain attachment were positioned on the trailer A frame so the chains are perpendicular to the ground when attached to the cams and snap up brackets. This configuration also results in the trunnion bars being roughly parallel to the ground when the bars are attached to the hitch head and the back end of the bars are resting on the cams.FWIW: On our trailer, the snap up brackets are positioned between the LP tanks and battery tray, so yes, it's a little cramped. I have found I have to remove the ABS tank cover to insert the retainer pins in the snap up brackets to lock them in place.

It is best to have them straight up and down,:) because when you turn they change and that gives them a chance to move both ways.

Sorry. Run a warehouse and I can get busy in a flash... If I can get it set up I'll post a pic and I will get the name of the WD as soon as possible. Got some wiring to replace ( another thread ) and I will get the vertical going. I'll let ya's know!Thanks for the FAST responses!! I'm really liking the Good Sam forums!Phil

Position of chains and mounts on my TT | Good Sam Community

15 Replies

2013zoeyzinger
Explorer
Dec 25, 2013
Thank you rgolding! happy trails everyone. The new TomTom GPS all set up for the departure in the morning ( 26th ).

Phil
rgolding
Explorer
Dec 25, 2013
Safe travels.
2013zoeyzinger
Explorer
Dec 24, 2013
Wd setup corrected. Sway control redone. New tires and 10.8 mpg. towing a 6500+ TT, priceless ( for me in my opinion ). Tennessee here we come ( with a day stop in Va. )!

God Bless and Merry Christmas to all!

Phil
2013zoeyzinger
Explorer
Dec 17, 2013
Ok. Wow! Thanks Barney. Never had moderator feedback in any club I was in. Felt like just another member # before this club. Knew I liked Good Sam for a reason. I will do just what you said Monday when I have the whole day to properly check things out. Very excited about my Tenn. trip!

Thanks again. God Bless.

Phil
BarneyS
Explorer III
Dec 17, 2013
If you have the bars drawn up to where they need to be for proper WD then the angle of the chains is not going to change that very much. The reason for the chains needing to be vertical is so that they can swing back and forth as the WD bars move back and forth and not crash into the snap-up brackets. This is also part of the reason for the minimum 5 links between bars and snap-up (under tension) recommendation. Any less than that may not leave enough room for the chains to swing back and forth.

The reason for the vertical is so the movement is equal in both directions. It they do hit the snap-ups, it can move them on the A frame and/or damage them or the chain itself. It takes quite a sharp turn to cause them to move that far though.

If you have not had time to move the snap-ups to get the chains vertical, then I would just be careful with sharp turns. Might be a good idea to stop in a large parking lot somewhere soon after you leave and do some test turns with the wife or someone else watching what happens. That way you would know if the chains are coming close and about what turn angle it takes. If they do not come close to hitting and do not drag the snap-ups on the A frame, then I would not worry about it and just leave it as is.
Barney
2013zoeyzinger
Explorer
Dec 17, 2013
Ugh! New plug attached. Chains still in old position. Will hook up Monday ( start of vacation ) and get things right after a test drive for the plug ( and to see if chains really need to be moved ). Good thing I have an on call best friend ( thanks Darrin Smith!! ).

I'll let you all know!

God Bless.

Phil:S
2013zoeyzinger
Explorer
Dec 13, 2013
Due to the ' storm ' we are supposed to get here on L.I. N.Y. I'm going to have to wait to get going on the repairs. I really do not want to come down to the line on this. I need a BIG garage!!! :B

I'll check back in soon.

God bless every ones day!

Phil
thomasmnile
Explorer
Dec 12, 2013
2013zoeyzinger wrote:
Mine as well. Only minimal room forward though as I have a new electric jack due to spinal surgery. No more cranking for me.

Phil

Electric jack. Probably best improvement you can make on your TT. Our WhiteHawk came with one and I'm glad it did, cuz most of my lumbar spine has been "welded". :)

Please post how things worked out with your hitch.
2013zoeyzinger
Explorer
Dec 12, 2013
Mine as well. Only minimal room forward though as I have a new electric jack due to spinal surgery. No more cranking for me.

Phil
memgrove
Explorer
Dec 12, 2013
Our Lp tank bracket is held on with a couple of self tapping screws and would easily be moved forward or back for clearance, maybe yours is too?