Another Hitch Set Up Question

[hohenwald48]

I've read most everything regarding setting up a WDH and think I have a pretty good handle on the concepts. However, on my setup I have the hitch ball angle tilted back a good bit(6 washers), I crank the bars (#1,000) so they are level with the ground and with the trailer tongue. In that position the front axle of the TV has exactly the same weight on it as it does when not hitched and the rear axle has about #950 more than when unhitched. The trailer axles weigh #6900.

It seems that there should be around #450 more on the front axle when hitched than when unhitched. The TV front and rear axles have exactly the same weights on them when unhitched so it seems logical they should have the same weights when hitched. To accomplish that I would have to take another link or two on the chain which will result in the bars being angled up toward the trailer instead of parallel to the ground and tongue. I'm not sure that would transfer #450 more to the front of the TV but it would surely transfer something up there.

I'm not over weight on anything for the trailer or for the TV and the TV and trailer sit perfectly level when hitched and fender measurements are the same hitched or unhitched. I tow with a Nissan Armada and it has an auto leveling air suspension system that makes setting up using fender measurements kind of difficult. I can stick an extra #1500 in the rear of the TV and it will sit perfectly level due the auto level system. I can remove that same #1500 and it will self adjust to be perfectly level again. I can't set things up with the auto level fuse removed because then the rear of the TV sits on the TV axle stops even without the trailer connected.

Any thoughts

[hohenwald48]

Well, of course the Armada is "light weight" compared to an F-250. It's even lighter weight when compared to an F-450. However, it is comparable to an F-150 or Expedition EL and with a #9,100 tow rating and a #15,100 GCWR it exceeds the requirements I'm placing on it with my particular #6,900 trailer by a comfortable margin.

I just thought it seemed reasonable that the tongue weight should be distributed between the front and rear axle at the same ratio as the empty TV weight. It does tow pretty good but seems to wiggle a little when 18 wheelers go by. I suppose that could be a function of the fact that the Armada has a pretty short wheelbase compared to a pick-up.

I'll check the Nissan web site and see what they say but haven't seen anything yet.

Thanks for everyone's input.

[jmtandem]

I've read most everything regarding setting up a WDH and think I have a pretty good handle on the concepts. However, on my setup I have the hitch ball angle tilted back a good bit(6 washers), I crank the bars (#1,000) so they are level with the ground and with the trailer tongue. In that position the front axle of the TV has exactly the same weight on it as it does when not hitched and the rear axle has about #950 more than when unhitched. The trailer axles weigh #6900.

It seems that there should be around #450 more on the front axle when hitched than when unhitched. The TV front and rear axles have exactly the same weights on them when unhitched so it seems logical they should have the same weights when hitched. To accomplish that I would have to take another link or two on the chain which will result in the bars being angled up toward the trailer instead of parallel to the ground and tongue. I'm not sure that would transfer #450 more to the front of the TV but it would surely transfer something up there.

I'm not over weight on anything for the trailer or for the TV and the TV and trailer sit perfectly level when hitched and fender measurements are the same hitched or unhitched. I tow with a Nissan Armada and it has an auto leveling air suspension system that makes setting up using fender measurements kind of difficult. I can stick an extra #1500 in the rear of the TV and it will sit perfectly level due the auto level system. I can remove that same #1500 and it will self adjust to be perfectly level again. I can't set things up with the auto level fuse removed because then the rear of the TV sits on the TV axle stops even without the trailer connected.

Any thoughts

If it tows well you should be good. Only add back to the front axle the weight taken off by the tongue, not more, if that! Check the specs for your tow vehicle and determine if you should add back all the tongue weight taken off by the trailer's tongue or only half or some other percent. Some truck manufacturers specify how much tongue weight should be added back to the front axle using a WD hitch. Go to the scales to set that weight amount not measuring fenders or bumper to ground.

[Golden_HVAC]

Hi,

Many with new trailer weight distribution hitches make a mistake when trying to get more weight on the front axle. While it might have been important with a 1970's El Dorado car, the modern trucks really can handle a bit of load on the rear axle, and not require nearly as much weight being transferred to the front axle.

One F-250 driver reported the truck and trailer feeling like it is springing a lot, and by loosening the WD bars, it actually towed a lot easier.

So like stated above, don't worry if it tows good. My suggestion is if it does not tow good, loosen it and try again.

Your Nissan is a lightweight compared to the F-250 or Expedition, so make sure that the scale is OK with the front and rear axle weights, and they are not being exceeded once your passengers are with you.

Good luck,

Fred.

[opnspaces]

I think you're good as it sits. As long as you returned the original weight to the front axle it's okay to have a bit more weight on the rear. You just want to make sure you don't lighten the front axle from how it sits with no trailer.