Weight Distribution hitch s/u with air bags
Made a deal today to buy a Coachman Freedom Express and have never pulled a trailer since we installed air bags. Any advice appreciated. Do we set up the hitch as normal then add the required 10 PSI ...
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10psi prob won't make much of a difference one way or another.
However, it is best to have the psi in the bags PRIOR to adjusting your WDH. Why?
As you add air to your bags, the angle of the truck vs the TT changes. The higher the back goes, the less weight that is transferred.
For example - adjust the WDH with no air in bags. You get it perfect. Now add 10-20psi which raises the rear of the truck back to unloaded height in the back. You now have more angle between the TV/TT, and less weight will be transferred back to the front. On lighter weight TT, it's probably not that big of a deal. But heavier units, it can cause the front to rise more than you like.
When I added bags to mine, the front of my truck raised an additional 1/2" before I readjusted my WDH. In my case, I ended up adding an additional washer to my hitch head (this was prior to my Hensley Hitch).
Anytime the angle between the TV/TT changes, the weight distribution changes. That's why we raise the TV/TT up with the tongue jack during hitch up - makes it easier to snap up the chains into position.
However, it is best to have the psi in the bags PRIOR to adjusting your WDH. Why?
As you add air to your bags, the angle of the truck vs the TT changes. The higher the back goes, the less weight that is transferred.
For example - adjust the WDH with no air in bags. You get it perfect. Now add 10-20psi which raises the rear of the truck back to unloaded height in the back. You now have more angle between the TV/TT, and less weight will be transferred back to the front. On lighter weight TT, it's probably not that big of a deal. But heavier units, it can cause the front to rise more than you like.
When I added bags to mine, the front of my truck raised an additional 1/2" before I readjusted my WDH. In my case, I ended up adding an additional washer to my hitch head (this was prior to my Hensley Hitch).
Anytime the angle between the TV/TT changes, the weight distribution changes. That's why we raise the TV/TT up with the tongue jack during hitch up - makes it easier to snap up the chains into position.
