questions about TT hitch
Often cited here is to have 10-15% of TT weight placed on tow vehicle for stability. Where does that number come from? would more than 15% or more be better? Where can I find the math on t...
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Lube the hitch ball, it will last longer. I had some disk bearing grease sitting around, and used that. The 1 pound can not only lubed all my front end bearings for years, also a bit on the hitch ball for another 10 years or so, until I moved, and tossed the can.
AS for transferring weight to the front end, you don't really need to with a pickup, as long as the rear axle can handle the load. The idea is to 'try'. You might transfer about 100 pounds off the rear axle, before you get to the point that the hitch bars are so tight, they will act like rubber brands and handling will degrade a LOT when they are to tight.
With a mid-70's car, it was almost a requirement to transfer weight to the front axle to prevent overloading the rear axle. Same with something like a minivan. Yet a pickup has a strong enough rear axle to handle the load.
10% to 15% is just for planning reasons. Many boats tow very well with only 5% of the weight on the hitch. I once picked up the hitch of a 5,000 pound trailer by myself, I was only 11 years old, and it was not more than about 75 pounds.
Good luck!
Fred.
AS for transferring weight to the front end, you don't really need to with a pickup, as long as the rear axle can handle the load. The idea is to 'try'. You might transfer about 100 pounds off the rear axle, before you get to the point that the hitch bars are so tight, they will act like rubber brands and handling will degrade a LOT when they are to tight.
With a mid-70's car, it was almost a requirement to transfer weight to the front axle to prevent overloading the rear axle. Same with something like a minivan. Yet a pickup has a strong enough rear axle to handle the load.
10% to 15% is just for planning reasons. Many boats tow very well with only 5% of the weight on the hitch. I once picked up the hitch of a 5,000 pound trailer by myself, I was only 11 years old, and it was not more than about 75 pounds.
Good luck!
Fred.
