Headlights aiming up when towing?

[way2roll]

The FW and truck in my signature are well within specs for towing. When I hook up the FW the bed of the truck drops to just about level which seems about perfect. That said I noticed the other night while driving and towing the FW, folks were flashing their high beams at me. My high beams weren't on. Happened enough that I knew it was no coincidence. Then it occurred to me, could my headlights be aimed more upward when the FW is hooked up? I imagine they are dialed in when the truck is without any weight, when you add 3k lbs it lowers the rear, even if only a few inches and thus aiming the front up. Is this enough to make people think I have my high beams on?

[otrfun]

mkirsch wrote:

otrfun wrote:
With all the leading edge technology that goes into these trucks these days you'd think the Big 3 could use some of it to provide a way to electrically adjust the headlights up and down from inside the truck. They provide this feature on all late model Tundras (all trim levels). I so miss being able to adjust the headlights up and down (like we did with our Tundra)--especially when towing near max payload/tongue weight. Even with airbags (with near max payload) we still have to turn our headlight adjustment screws (under the hood) 2-3 turns to get our headlights to aim properly (i.e., same as empty) on our '16 Ram 3500.

See the multi-page thread of people complaining about the cost of trucks... You think they'd add this feature for FREE? Hardly . . .

Agree, the price of trucks are high enough.

However, Toyota has offered a way to adjust the headlights on their Tundras from inside the cab, even on their cheapest, entry-level trucks since 2007. No doubt Toyota cares about their bottom line as much as the Big 3. Rather doubt they'd include this much needed, *safety* feature as standard equipment unless the cost was minimal at best.

[mkirsch]

otrfun wrote:
With all the leading edge technology that goes into these trucks these days you'd think the Big 3 could use some of it to provide a way to electrically adjust the headlights up and down from inside the truck. They provide this feature on all late model Tundras (all trim levels). I so miss being able to adjust the headlights up and down (like we did with our Tundra)--especially when towing near max payload/tongue weight. Even with airbags (with near max payload) we still have to turn our headlight adjustment screws (under the hood) 2-3 turns to get our headlights to aim properly (i.e., same as empty) on our '16 Ram 3500.

See the multi-page thread of people complaining about the cost of trucks... You think they'd add this feature for FREE? Hardly.

That said, my last two trucks have not had adjustable headlights. I would get flashed 2-3 times a night in my 2003. Tried to adjust it, but nothing to adjust. Took it to the dealer. They couldn't help. Took it to the mechanic down the street. He couldn't find any adjustment either. Frankly there was nothing wrong with the lights on that truck so I said "eff 'em" and drove it for 12-1/2 years like that. Think you're getting flashed now, here are my brights you %$#@!

[allen8106]

I just put Firestone airbags on my GMC 3500 for the very same reason. Looking forward to trying them out.

[Grit_dog]

Lynnmor wrote:
The 2020 headlights easily blind oncoming traffic. I think the design is defective, I hate it when they come towards me even when not loaded.

Old eyes are more easily blinded at night. Is more the case.
I can’t think of any properly aimed Oe vehicles that have obnoxious bright lights.
They have to meet standards.

[otrfun]

With all the leading edge technology that goes into these trucks these days you'd think the Big 3 could use some of it to provide a way to electrically adjust the headlights up and down from inside the truck. They provide this feature on all late model Tundras (all trim levels). I so miss being able to adjust the headlights up and down (like we did with our Tundra)--especially when towing near max payload/tongue weight. Even with airbags (with near max payload) we still have to turn our headlight adjustment screws (under the hood) 2-3 turns to get our headlights to aim properly (i.e., same as empty) on our '16 Ram 3500.

[Me_Again]

wnjj wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
My truck sets level as it should. I get flashed on occasion.

You pretty much should never get flashed. Maybe consider slightly lowering your headlight aim, particularly as your truck ages and may settle a bit lower.

Ron, has the rear air ride suspension. It is always at the same height, will not settle with age, unless the system fails. He does use the alt height setting and maybe should adjust for that.

I run my fog lights all the time as they fill in the area above the cut off line a little. On the RAMs you push the button and it remembers on restarts. Wished they would have done that for the exhaust brake also.

[wnjj]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
My truck sets level as it should. I get flashed on occasion.

You pretty much should never get flashed. Maybe consider slightly lowering your headlight aim, particularly as your truck ages and may settle a bit lower.

[wnjj]

Lynnmor wrote:
The 2020 headlights easily blind oncoming traffic. I think the design is defective, I hate it when they come towards me even when not loaded.

It’s been going on longer than 2020. Modern headlights are super bright and rely on a sharp cutoff (above which there is little light). When they are even slightly high the results are blinding for the oncoming driver.

Twist the adjusters down when loaded.

[Lynnmor]

The 2020 headlights easily blind oncoming traffic. I think the design is defective, I hate it when they come towards me even when not loaded.

[JRscooby]

If you seldom tow at night, first check the aim is good MT. Then carry a roll of masking tape. If you see it will get dark on you, cover the top half inch of the headlights.

[way2roll]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Confirms what I was thinking. I may check the adjustment against a wall. I rarely ever tow at night unless it's completely unavoidable. Some posters mentioned bags, and I won't be doing that. There is no need. The truck hardly squats to level and has more than ample payload for my FW. I think this is simply a problem for most trucks when towing. Makes sense that lowering the rear a few inches can change the angle of headlight beam significantly. You think they would have a compensating mechanism for that by now. Tow/haul mode also re-aims the headlights down a degree or something.

Side note, where we live there is a thing called the "carolina squat" where people lower the rear of their truck as much as they can and front as high as they can - on purpose! Not only does it render the purpose of the truck useless, I am not sure how they see to drive and when they come at you at night it's literally impossible to see anything.

[Cummins12V98]

My truck sets level as it should. I get flashed on occasion.

[Cummins12V98]

Me Again wrote:
Like most Ford owners it is time to bag it! Ford seems to have provided a soft suspension to improve ride. So air bags are a popular add on item. The closer that wants to sell you an extended warranty, paint and interior sealers should include air bags for Fords.

The previous generation. This one is much less likely to sag.

[wopachop]

Could try going a little bit tighter on the weight distribution hitch. Watch some videos and it will explain how to set them up.

Might be your headlights were set a little bit high from the factory. Thats another quick google search away on the spec and what the adjustment screw looks like. Normally the up and down adjustment is right above the headlight. Look for a 8 or 10mm.