Weight Distrubuting Hitch Setup

[Altoidfishfins]

Real new to this. Until purchasing a TT a few weeks ago never knew what a weight distributing hitch was.

Now I have to put one on.

Question - many instructions say to measure the vehicle front and back to ground level, then find the setting on the hitch which returns the vehicle as closely as possible to the original measurements with the TT connected. Hard to do on rough ground or in my case, a graveled back yard.

What if? One were to simply place a digital level on top of the vehicle (parallel front to back of course), note the angle at which it sits unloaded, then hook up the TT and make adjustments until the level reads the original angle (or as closely as possible)?

Any thoughts out there?

[Jayco23FB]

go to etrailer.com you will find tons of information on hitches and towing. It takes a little searching on the site but they have some excellent training and educational videos.

[APT]

Altoidfishfins wrote:

Question - many instructions say to measure the vehicle front and back to ground level, then find the setting on the hitch which returns the vehicle as closely as possible to the original measurements with the TT connected. Hard to do on rough ground or in my case, a graveled back yard.

What if? One were to simply place a digital level on top of the vehicle (parallel front to back of course), note the angle at which it sits unloaded, then hook up the TT and make adjustments until the level reads the original angle (or as closely as possible)?

Any thoughts out there?

Measuring the vehicle body height at the axles is an estimate of relative axle weight since the goal of WD is to return some or all the weight lost on the front axle when one just drops the tongue on the ball.

If your home does not provide a suitable flat (level is not important) surface for about 60 feet, set it up somewhere else. I go to a local park with paved parking lot, or a school, business after hours. Or find a scale to measure the weights

[mrekim]

Here's one way to set up a measuring system:

Put something on the ground next to the center of the tire that won't move - like a brick or something. Or, clear away the gravel so you have a consistent measuring point. If the brick is not perfectly flat put a chalk mark on it to ensure you measure from the same spot every time.

Put a piece of masking tape on the side of the car directly above the center of the tire.

Put the measuring tape down to the ground (to chalk mark if used) and then mark a line on the masking tape. I mark at an even number of inches. This gives you a nice clean line to work with as your starting point. Set the tape so you can repeat the measurement - for example centered on the hub and touching the tire and car body.

You can do this at all four tires on the tow vehicle. It's pretty quick and easy to do. Then you start your hitch setup and take measurements for different hitch settings.

You should be able to get repeat measurements to 1/16" this way.

Keep the measurements in a notebook. You'll be doing few passes and will want to keep the different passes organized.

[fla-gypsy]

Have you studied this sticky? There is a lot of good information in here.

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/17730894.cfm

[owenssailor]

You could set it close, hook up and tow it over to a nearby level paved parking lot. Take your chocks and torque wrench and tape with you. Do the setup there.

[Ron_Gratz]

What is the make and model of the tow vehicle? What brand is the weight distribution hitch? The manufacturers of these will provide specifications for adjusting the WDH.

If the ground is rough/uneven, you can measure from a fixed point, such as center of wheel cover, to top of wheel well opening to get the reference distances.

Ron

[old_guy]

take your level and put in the freezer floor to get the TT level enough to work on the hitch. if the frig is level the TT will be where you want it to be. also you can go to etrailer.com and they have tons of videos on how to install these hitches. find the one that is your hitch and watch it about 5 times then go out and set it up. If you are still not sure than I would take it to your dealer and have them do it for you. setting up is not rocket science but it is important that you do it right, or you can make it tow and ride like a water buffalo at a full gallop.