Forum Discussion

Whangler's avatar
Whangler
Explorer II
Oct 13, 2017

Weight Distribution Setup Question

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
  • Terryallan's avatar
    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..
  • Turtle_n_Peeps's avatar
    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.
  • Whangler's avatar
    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?
  • downtheroad's avatar
    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...?
  • Terryallan's avatar
    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

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