Help with adding Dual Cam

[fsds123]

I bought a used trailer that came with a draw-tite weight dist hitch. Am trying to add Reese Dual cam sway control to it. I have the hitch at the highest level on the shank, and the ball is at the same height as the trailer when not hooked up. Doing some preliminary measurements to mount the cams, I notice there is no pressure on the bars with 5 links. I can even lift the bars up another inch or so off the cams. Is it just a matter of getting a taller shank, and angling the hitch down some more with extra washers? Or is this hitch just not going to work with dual cams?

Moderator edit to re-size pictures to forum recommended limit of 640px maximum width.

[dodge_guy]

Hondavalk wrote:
When I installed my DC a few years ago the easiest position for my snap up brackets was 1" off center. I called Cequent asking if that would matter and they told me that 1" was not acceptable.

Mine are close to 2" and have been that way for 11 years and well over 25k miles!

[Hondavalk]

When I installed my DC a few years ago the easiest position for my snap up brackets was 1" off center. I called Cequent asking if that would matter and they told me that 1" was not acceptable.

[Wishin]

If you have bent parts, definitely replace them. It does really seem that the hitch (from the vehicle) is running up at an angle keeping the ball mount from tilting enough back to angle the bars down. Is the tow vehicle and the trailer all on a flat surface? Ideally you are on level ground but for certain the surface under the vehicle and trailer needs to be pretty close to a straight line. If the surface causes the front of the vehicle to be downhill, that could be part of the problem as well.

I also agree you need to double check the mounting position of the DC brackets. That won't fix the loose bar issue. Getting the head tilted back to put pressure on the bars is the fix for that. Ideally the chains are straight up and down, but perfect is not critical. The more off of vertical they are, the more force they put on the DC brackets however as they have to counteract the force of the crooked chains. Yours are far from straight, I'd move them to get the chains straight once you fix the tilt issue.

Good luck.

[TUCQUALA]

In case you don't have, here is the manual for the later (black) DualCam:

http://www.hitchpro.net/application/support/instructions/n26002.pdf

Good info, esp when using the round bar style. Different distance for bracket than the trunnion style.

[dodge_guy]

With the DC , it doesn't matter if the chains are straight up and down or angled. They don't move like a standard WD hitch. Mine are angled slightly to clear my LP tanks.

[myredracer]

Also, before you go drilling holes in the A-frame, read Reese's instructions. They specify a distance from the centerline of the coupler to the cam arm bracket. It looks like you have too many exposed threads and need to move the brackets rearward. Typically with the trailer level, you would set the ball on the TV an inch higher to compensate for squat. The chains need to be vertical or close to it. When you get to that point, it's important to get the cam arms centered exactly on the ends of spring bars and can take a while.

If you haven't ready the sticky on setting up a dual cam WDH yet, now would be the time to do so. https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/17730894.cfm

When you do get the Reese dual cam installed and adjusted correctly, it is awesome. Took me one season to get it tweaked right and ended up getting a ball with a 1" rise to optimize it. Don't expect it to work the way you'd expect overnight.

[fsds123]

Turns out I'm an idiot and didn't loosen the bottom set screw. Am going to get a new head though, the ball mount is bent pretty bad.

[Drew_K]

I see that you're in Houston. Go to Master Hitch, and bring along the WDH bars. No need to bring the trailer. My experience with them is that they're honest and will try to help you out without just trying to sell you something.

[Hondavalk]

Maybe these will help

http://reeseproducts.com/support/installation/N66073.pdf

http://reeseproducts.com/support/installation/N26002.pdf

[camp-n-family]

I agree that the ball mount looks bent, the ball is not even with the sway bar ball for example, but it also looks like the tv receiver is angled upwards. Not sure if it's damaged or bent or just the way it mounts but I think that's where the problem lies. Only fix for that is to replace the receiver with one that's level, or get an angled draw bar. You'll never get enough washers to do what you need.

[TUCQUALA]

Have that style Drawtite, and agree that there is damage to the head where the ball mounts. BUT, that won't be the cause of the problem. The whole drawbar is heading uphill!! You will never get enough washers into it to get the tilt right. In its previously life, the drawbar has hit the ground, but that drawbar is solid 2" steel, with a strengthening rib, and doubtful it is bent. If it actually is, maybe where it enters the receiver. Need to see a picture with it out of receiver and with the head removed to see any bending or any other damage.

If it's not bent, don't know how to fix, other than maybe having the vertical part cut off and rewelded at a useable angle. Also, a 1" or 2" riser ball would give you more room for adjustments to the bars.

One big question, is the tow vehicle actually level (??!!) or is the nose down towards the street??

[jerem0621]

camp-n-family wrote:
I see either a problem with the truck receiver or the draw bar. The hitch looks angled upwards in the pics. You have a lot of washers already but all they are doing is levelling the hitch back out, instead of angling it back like you need. Not sure how to fix that other than getting the draw bar bent so the hitch head sits level without washer again, then you can add washers to tilt it back further. I have seen Andy from CanAm rv do this with custom set ups.

I think the hitch is damaged. Pretty extensively. Compare my Pro Series Round Bar hitch head with the max number of washers.



I think the ball mount is damaged... this would mean the hitch head needs to be replaced.

OP... please confirm what we are seeing... My eyes are seeing the ball mount bent in relation to the rest of the hitch head.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[camp-n-family]

I see either a problem with the truck receiver or the draw bar. The hitch looks angled upwards in the pics. You have a lot of washers already but all they are doing is levelling the hitch back out, instead of angling it back like you need. Not sure how to fix that other than getting the draw bar bent so the hitch head sits level without washer again, then you can add washers to tilt it back further. I have seen Andy from CanAm rv do this with custom set ups.

[downtheroad]

Also, snap up brackets need to be moved forward. ...better if chains hang horizontal