Forum Discussion

cowtownup's avatar
cowtownup
Explorer
Jul 04, 2016

WD Hitch (3rd chain link or 4th chain link)

I've got a question regarding my WD hitch. The previous owner who has a similar TV as mine told me he ran the WD hitch on the 4th chain link. However, when I got ready for my first trip, I took the time to stop by some scales and weigh everything. By using the 3rd link on the chain of the WD hitch I was able to take 160 lbs off the rear axle and move 100 to the front axle of the TV and the other 60 to the TT axles.

I guess what I'm asking is how tight is to tight on the WD bars? Should I run 3rd link or 4th link on the chain?

TV = Chevy Silverado 1500 GVWR 7000 lbs (axles rated at 3950 lbs)
TT = Jayco 26BH

***I realize I'm a few pounds over on the GVWR of the TV but I plan to pack differently next trip to alleviate that...



WD Hitch OFF

Front Axle TV 3,260
Rear Axle TV 4,080
TT Axles 4,940
Total combined 12,280


WD ON (3rd LINK)

Front Axle TV 3,540
Rear Axle TV 3,600
TT Axles 5,140
Total Combines 12,280

WD ON (4th LINK)

Front Axle TV 3,440
Rear Axle TV 3,760
TT Axles 5,000
Total Combines 12,280




Truck full of fuel with everybody in it and firewood, cooler, 2 bikes and toolbox full of tools….
Front axle = 3,580
Rear axle = 3,020
Total = 6,600
  • cowtownup's avatar
    cowtownup
    Explorer
    Jul 04, 2016
    Looks like I only have one more adjustment for moving the ball mount rearward.... Correct me if I am wrong but I would rotate the adjustment washer clockwise one position.

  • Need-A-Vacation's avatar
    Need-A-Vacation
    Explorer
    Jul 04, 2016
    ChooChooMan74 wrote:
    cowtownup wrote:
    I have the Straight Line Round Bar system. I looked up the instructions and you are correct, I need to adjust ballmount angle rearward to increase number of links.

    Thanks for the advice...

    Bingo!! I was just going to mention it. Try that and reweight. And don't forget, you have to readjust the cams. Drive straight with them loose, they should center...then tighten them where they are.


    Another excellent point, forgot to mention that!!!

    YW Cow!!!

    Any other questions, just ask. If you have a harbor freight nearby, I have been fairly impressed with the 3/4" breaker bar from them. Makes it easier to readjust the hitch if/when needed.... I just use a 3/4"-1/2" adapter and impact sockets. And a pipe if needed as well!!! Lol

    Good luck!!!
  • ChooChooMan74's avatar
    ChooChooMan74
    Explorer
    Jul 04, 2016
    cowtownup wrote:
    I have the Straight Line Round Bar system. I looked up the instructions and you are correct, I need to adjust ballmount angle rearward to increase number of links.

    Thanks for the advice...

    Bingo!! I was just going to mention it. Try that and reweight. And don't forget, you have to readjust the cams. Drive straight with them loose, they should center...then tighten them where they are.
  • cowtownup's avatar
    cowtownup
    Explorer
    Jul 04, 2016
    I have the Straight Line Round Bar system. I looked up the instructions and you are correct, I need to adjust ballmount angle rearward to increase number of links.

    Thanks for the advice...
  • Need-A-Vacation's avatar
    Need-A-Vacation
    Explorer
    Jul 04, 2016
    Cow,

    Do you have a round bar system like Mitch, or the trunion bar system? Regardless of which one, Reese highly recommends to have no less than 5 links under tension (between bar and snap up bracket). You need to readjust the hitch head for more tilt, and have 5 links under tension. If it is a trunion bar system, you need to make sure the bar "head" does not contact the trailer frame, which can happen if there is not enough chain links under tension.

    As mentioned, you should have the wdh adjusted so the front axle is as close to the tv fa only weight as possible.
  • MitchF150's avatar
    MitchF150
    Explorer III
    Jul 04, 2016
    Example of where the number of links does not always tell the tale...

    OP has a completely different WD setup from mine..

    Here is mine with 5 links under tension and 3 links hanging..



    Not exactly the same WD hitch system.. :) Yet, mine works fine for my combo, so no bashing on what I'm using! ;)

    Mitch
  • cowtownup's avatar
    cowtownup
    Explorer
    Jul 04, 2016
    Another thing that I guess I should ask is do the bars weaken over time. This WD hitch (per the previous owner) has been on this TT since bought new in 2010.

    Just so we dont get confused on top vs bottom..

    3rd LINK


    4th LINK
  • TomG2's avatar
    TomG2
    Explorer
    Jul 04, 2016
    Maybe some guys links are bigger than other guys?

    Comparing link count between individuals is guessing at best. What if your chain came with two less links than mine? Should we still have the same number "hanging"? Scales and measurements are the way to go.
  • stevemorris's avatar
    stevemorris
    Explorer
    Jul 04, 2016
    I'm on my third link too, not counting 1/2 link through the bar

    bars are parallel to the a frame

    angle the head down more?
  • lawrosa's avatar
    lawrosa
    Explorer
    Jul 04, 2016
    See towing planner here..

    http://towingplanner.com/ActualWeights/TravelTrailerCatScales/?w1sa=3540&w1da=3600&w1ta=5140&w2sa=3260&w2da=4080&w2ta=4940&w3sa=3580&w3da=3020&a=2

    You would want the 3rd link because it restores your front axle close to original weight of truck alone. Thats your goal.

    You have a 740 lbs TW @ 13% which is good..

    Whats distirbing to me is you state the 3rd link? What do you mean by this? Any WD hitch needs a minimum of 5 links remaining.

    And starting from the top of the chain the 4th link should give more WD then the 3rd link from the top..

    Again starting from the bottom of the chain you need 5 links min remaining...

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