Weight Distribution bar - using a pipe ... ?
We have lost the pipe to lift up the weight distribution bar ... what do you use ?
Forum Discussion
- If there is a safer way to do something then I will do it that way! just because someone feels "my way" is the right way does not make it safer!
Use the tongue jack and be safe! - Old technology, tried and true. people have been hurt lowering their stabilizer jacks down on their foot too.
bumpy kend40 wrote:
I don't see it as right or wrong. But which way is safer.rdhetrick wrote:
Sorry, but I don't buy that raising the jack is the "only correct" way to do it.
If that were true, then why would the manufactures bother making a pivoting bracket with a nub for the pipe? If they intended everyone to use raise the jack and flip the lever by hand, then they would have simply installed a hook on the frame for you to slip the chain link onto.
There's nothing wrong with using the pipe.
My WD hitch came with a pipe for the purpose of lifting the shackles.......so how is it not the right way???
I have a over the bed rail quad rack for the bed of my truck. It comes with 10.5' ramps. You can drive the quads up there. Or winch them up there.
I used to drive them up. I now winch them up, as it is much safer.
As I said before, we humans used to do lots of things that were unsafe by todays standards.
The hitch design in this discussion is probably the oldest one still being made today. Many people have been hurt when hooking it up. Many of us have learned from those incidents about safer ways to do it.
Before I had a power jack, I used the pipe. But I wouldn't let my wife do it. She now hitches up all the time, using the power jack method. I am comfortable with her doing it this way.
The advantage that the internet, and this forum gives us, is the free flow of information. Good and bad. You gotta decide for yourself which is good, and which is bad. But at least you are now informed.
If you are comfortable with the risk... Then continue doing it the old way. I or nobody else will change your mind, and it is YOUR risk and YOUR right.rdhetrick wrote:
Sorry, but I don't buy that raising the jack is the "only correct" way to do it.
If that were true, then why would the manufactures bother making a pivoting bracket with a nub for the pipe? If they intended everyone to use raise the jack and flip the lever by hand, then they would have simply installed a hook on the frame for you to slip the chain link onto.
There's nothing wrong with using the pipe.
My WD hitch came with a pipe for the purpose of lifting the shackles.......so how is it not the right way???Bumpyroad wrote:
martipr wrote:
You say tomato, I say tomato. Do what works for you. Although I can't imagine getting the pipe out, going back and forth from side to side, then putting the pipe away instead of just flipping a switch. I guess in 75 years I have learned to use the least labor intensive method possible.
well my jack is manual, no button pushing. and one second per side tightens up the bars. I have learned to use the least labor intensive method possible. don't know why you have to go back and forth? I don't.
bumpy
I don't go back and forth. I was referring to this by fairfaxjim on page 10: "I start with one more link on one side, then do same on other side, then go back to first side and set at normal, then do same on opposite. The lighter setting helps support the load enough to get the other side on at first."martipr wrote:
You say tomato, I say tomato. Do what works for you. Although I can't imagine getting the pipe out, going back and forth from side to side, then putting the pipe away instead of just flipping a switch. I guess in 75 years I have learned to use the least labor intensive method possible.
well my jack is manual, no button pushing. and one second per side tightens up the bars. I have learned to use the least labor intensive method possible. don't know why you have to go back and forth? I don't.
bumpy- You say tomato, I say tomato. Do what works for you. Although I can't imagine getting the pipe out, going back and forth from side to side, then putting the pipe away instead of just flipping a switch. I guess in 75 years I have learned to use the least labor intensive method possible.
robsouth wrote:
Why do you need a pipe to install the weight distribution bars? I just put the tongue on the ball and clip it. Use the tongue jack to lift the tongue and back of truck, slip bars in place by hand and lower the tongue jack. No lifting involved.
That's the way I have always done it as well.Wishin wrote:
Wow, who knew the a pipe discussion could last this long. ...
Who knew a 12" piece of pipe would become the adult equivalent of the empty box at Christmas?
I remove & install my bars routinely when going off/on road. No time to mess with jacking, sometimes sitting in the middle of the road. I simply snap them off and make sure the TV and trailer are in a straight line when putting them back on. If for some reason the terrain makes them too tight at the regular setting, I start with one more link on one side, then do same on other side, then go back to first side and set at normal, then do same on opposite. The lighter setting helps support the load enough to get the other side on at first.
As for using/not using the pipe, I see no reason to not use it if you have one. Can't see putting fingers into chains and clips, for any reason. I lost my pipe on one trip and used the hole in the handle end of a 12" Crescent wrench on the tab.coolbreeze01 wrote:
Bumpyroad wrote:
I was shown how to use the pipe to raise mine. takes about 1 second. don't know why I would mess around with tongue jack,etc. I was warned to stand off to the side in case the pipe comes shooting out. :)
bumpy
Some get it and some don't :h Funny........
that is very true, hilarious :s
bumpy
