I got a new Silverado 2500 LB, CC, 6.0 to tow my Arctic Fox 25r with. My Equal-izer hitch needed some adjustment as it was previously used with my Toyota Tundra on this trailer.I followed the Equal-izer setup instructions and got every thing right except the trailer doesn't quite sit level. I turned the shank over to get maximum ball rise. With the truck unhitched, the top of the ball is exactly the same height as the coupler when the trailer is unhitched on level ground.When I hitch it up and snap the spring bars on, everything is perfect.... except the front of the trailer is a bit too low. No amount of WD adjustment will bring the ball back up to unloaded height and level the trailer. When the unhitched trailer is level, I get the following ground-up measurements along the horizontal trim: Front: 28-1/4" Rear: 28-1/4" When hitched up with wd, it measures:Front: 27" Rear: 28-3/4". Equal-izer instructions say to raise the ball if this happens. Fair enough. However, I'd have to get a taller shank to make the trailer sit level when hitched.Visually, it's pretty difficult to discern the front being 1-3/4" lower than the rear of the trailer box. But, I'd need to put some wood blocks under the tongue jack and raise it up to get it level on those nights I spend in walmarts, rest areas, and truck stops.Do you think it's problematic to tow with a 1-3/4" difference between front and rear of trailer box? Should I just bite the bullet and get a taller shank?Thanks

Don't think 1 3/4 inches will bother the TT. But it appears the rear of the truck is dropping 1 3/4 inches as well. What you need to know is how much does the front of the truck rise. If the front of the truck is not rising / unloading. You should be OK.You need to get some truck front, and rear measurement numbers before, and after hooking up

Good advice from Terryallan above.If you can't adjust it out, you might need to get a bigger shank with more adjustment holes....But, a little nose down is not all that bad. Nose up is not good....how does it tow...?

Terryallan wrote:Don't think 1 3/4 inches will bother the TT. But it appears the rear of the truck is dropping 1 3/4 inches as well. What you need to know is how much does the front of the truck rise. If the front of the truck is not rising / unloading. You should be OK.You need to get some truck front, and rear measurement numbers before, and after hooking upEqual-izer instructions don't ask for rear truck measurement numbers, just front unhitched, hitched, and hitched with wd connected.Hitched, without wd the front rises about 3/4" from unhitched. With WD it comes back down within 1/3" of uncoupled. That's right in there with what the instruction manual says. GM HD trucks have a noticeable rake from rear to front. I suspect that may reflect longer suspension travel. I also suspect it may have progressive rear spring tension. Though the rear of the truck drops some, it doesn't appear to squat at all.I haven't driven it yet but will soon. What would a slight trailer nose down do to handling assuming the truck sits nice and level?

What would a slight trailer nose down do to handling assuming the truck sits nice and level? Make it brake and handle better and also get better fuel mileage.When you brake a truck hard all the energy goes up front and the nose of the truck dives. This lifts the back of the truck and the nose of the trailer. In short this will even everything out under hard braking which is what you wants.I have the same problem but it is way more severe. I forget the figures but it was like a foot difference from front to back. I could buy a new shank but I can only raise the hitch about 3" or so before it will hit my tail gate when it is dropped. With a front bed in the TT that is bad news because I don't like sleeping head down. I don't quite know what to do about my deal. More than likely I will just raise it 3" and call it good.

Whangler wrote:Terryallan wrote:Don't think 1 3/4 inches will bother the TT. But it appears the rear of the truck is dropping 1 3/4 inches as well. What you need to know is how much does the front of the truck rise. If the front of the truck is not rising / unloading. You should be OK.You need to get some truck front, and rear measurement numbers before, and after hooking upEqual-izer instructions don't ask for rear truck measurement numbers, just front unhitched, hitched, and hitched with wd connected.Hitched, without wd the front rises about 3/4" from unhitched. With WD it comes back down within 1/3" of uncoupled. That's right in there with what the instruction manual says. GM HD trucks have a noticeable rake from rear to front. I suspect that may reflect longer suspension travel. I also suspect it may have progressive rear spring tension. Though the rear of the truck drops some, it doesn't appear to squat at all.I haven't driven it yet but will soon. What would a slight trailer nose down do to handling assuming the truck sits nice and level?No more than your TT is down in front. And your Truck as close as it is. You have no problems with those truck measurements. Good to go. You will never get the TT perfectly level behind the truck..

Weight Distribution Setup Question | Good Sam Community

Terryallan
Explorer II
Oct 13, 2017
Don't think 1 3/4 inches will bother the TT. But it appears the rear of the truck is dropping 1 3/4 inches as well. What you need to know is how much does the front of the truck rise. If the front of the truck is not rising / unloading. You should be OK.

You need to get some truck front, and rear measurement numbers before, and after hooking up
downtheroad
Explorer
Oct 13, 2017
Good advice from Terryallan above.
If you can't adjust it out, you might need to get a bigger shank with more adjustment holes....

But, a little nose down is not all that bad. Nose up is not good....how does it tow...?
Whangler
Explorer II
Oct 13, 2017
Terryallan wrote:
Don't think 1 3/4 inches will bother the TT. But it appears the rear of the truck is dropping 1 3/4 inches as well. What you need to know is how much does the front of the truck rise. If the front of the truck is not rising / unloading. You should be OK.

You need to get some truck front, and rear measurement numbers before, and after hooking up

Equal-izer instructions don't ask for rear truck measurement numbers, just front unhitched, hitched, and hitched with wd connected.
Hitched, without wd the front rises about 3/4" from unhitched. With WD it comes back down within 1/3" of uncoupled. That's right in there with what the instruction manual says.

GM HD trucks have a noticeable rake from rear to front. I suspect that may reflect longer suspension travel. I also suspect it may have progressive rear spring tension. Though the rear of the truck drops some, it doesn't appear to squat at all.

I haven't driven it yet but will soon. What would a slight trailer nose down do to handling assuming the truck sits nice and level?
Turtle_n_Peeps
Explorer
Oct 13, 2017
What would a slight trailer nose down do to handling assuming the truck sits nice and level?

Make it brake and handle better and also get better fuel mileage.

When you brake a truck hard all the energy goes up front and the nose of the truck dives. This lifts the back of the truck and the nose of the trailer.

In short this will even everything out under hard braking which is what you wants.

I have the same problem but it is way more severe. I forget the figures but it was like a foot difference from front to back. I could buy a new shank but I can only raise the hitch about 3" or so before it will hit my tail gate when it is dropped. With a front bed in the TT that is bad news because I don't like sleeping head down. I don't quite know what to do about my deal. More than likely I will just raise it 3" and call it good.
Terryallan
Explorer II
Oct 13, 2017
Whangler wrote:
Terryallan wrote:
Don't think 1 3/4 inches will bother the TT. But it appears the rear of the truck is dropping 1 3/4 inches as well. What you need to know is how much does the front of the truck rise. If the front of the truck is not rising / unloading. You should be OK.

You need to get some truck front, and rear measurement numbers before, and after hooking up

Equal-izer instructions don't ask for rear truck measurement numbers, just front unhitched, hitched, and hitched with wd connected.
Hitched, without wd the front rises about 3/4" from unhitched. With WD it comes back down within 1/3" of uncoupled. That's right in there with what the instruction manual says.

GM HD trucks have a noticeable rake from rear to front. I suspect that may reflect longer suspension travel. I also suspect it may have progressive rear spring tension. Though the rear of the truck drops some, it doesn't appear to squat at all.

I haven't driven it yet but will soon. What would a slight trailer nose down do to handling assuming the truck sits nice and level?

No more than your TT is down in front. And your Truck as close as it is. You have no problems with those truck measurements. Good to go. You will never get the TT perfectly level behind the truck..
Earl_E
Explorer
Oct 13, 2017
You shouldn't have a problem. That's a minimal difference. The instructions are correct...the only way to truly level the trailer is with the shank. The other adjustments are all about transferring weight. One thing to think about that may not be a problem for you. We often stop for the night without unhitching. All we do is put down the back stabilizers. I like to keep it simple and easy. Same goes for lunches and potty breaks. So I got tired of being downhill all the time and finally bought another shank. Just a thought.
skinnyme
Explorer
Oct 13, 2017
You can buy a ball that is 1" taller. The actual dimension is 11/16"
mat60
Explorer
Mar 13, 2018
Buy a new shank and cut off what you don't need so it doesn't hit the tail gate.
rbpru
Explorer II
Mar 13, 2018
Remember the WD hitch does not remove all the tongue weight, so there should be some drop in the tail end of the TV and the front of the TT.

I believe most TTs are a little nose down. Mine is, but I will let others comment on that.

My ball was set 1 inch above the hitch when both were level.
Ron3rd
Explorer III
Mar 13, 2018
Slightly nose down is ideal IMO