Help setting hitch head angle

[HaulinBass02]

So we went to pickup out new/used Trail-lite 30BH today. I already thought I might need a longer drop hitch shank and it was confirmed today. Need to get about a 7" drop, basically I need to go down about 2 more holes on the shank that I don't have....
Regardless, we were still able to get hitched up and when I went to put the WD bars on I could barely get them in the 2nd link. The bars were also at a downward angle quite a bit.
The coupler is a bottom mount, meaning it is inverted and welded to the bottom of the frame rather than the top. So this already creates a weird offset for the WD system anyway. Do I tilt the hitch head forward towards the suburban to help the bars align more parallel to the frame and get more links on the bracket? What would be the best way to do this?

[jmtandem]

On a similar note, how much of a difference does it make if the chains aren't perpendicular to the frame? The snap up brackets look like they need to be moved forward to get the chains more vertical but I may wait until I get the dual cam and reset everything

If it was my hitch, when setting it up I would try for as vertical as possible.

[beemerphile1]

Stickies from the towing section of this forum;

Weight Distribution (WD) Hitch --- How it Works

Travel Trailer Hitch Set-up Procedure

[HaulinBass02]

On a similar note, how much of a difference does it make if the chains aren't perpendicular to the frame? The snap up brackets look like they need to be moved forward to get the chains more vertical but I may wait until I get the dual cam and reset everything.

[jmtandem]

Wow, I didn't realize hitch head angle had so much to factor in how the rig rides.....I'm going to order the shank this week and try to get setup as we have a shake down cruise scheduled for mid-September and time will creep up on me.
Need-a-vacation, to answer your question, I have a round trunnion bar setup.
On another note, I was reading through some stuff that Reese put out as far as their dual can system goes and they mention tilting the head forward to adjust for inverted heads like mine. Didn't mention the physics behind head angle or anything. I have a bit of research to do as the dual can system will eventually be put on this trailer, had it in the past and absolutely loved it.

Some spring bars are correctly tensioned when NOT parallel
to the trailer frame. Typically when the dual cam system is correctly set up the bars are not parallel with the frame. The
dual cam is an excellent hitch. Just take your time setting it up.

[HaulinBass02]

Wow, I didn't realize hitch head angle had so much to factor in how the rig rides.....I'm going to order the shank this week and try to get setup as we have a shake down cruise scheduled for mid-September and time will creep up on me.
Need-a-vacation, to answer your question, I have a round trunnion bar setup.
On another note, I was reading through some stuff that Reese put out as far as their dual can system goes and they mention tilting the head forward to adjust for inverted heads like mine. Didn't mention the physics behind head angle or anything. I have a bit of research to do as the dual can system will eventually be put on this trailer, had it in the past and absolutely loved it.

[jmtandem]

Do I tilt the hitch head forward towards the suburban to help the bars align more parallel to the frame and get more links on the bracket? What would be the best way to do this?

Hitch head angle (tilted backwards) is perhaps the least understood aspect of a weight distribution hitch. The hitch is tilted back to allow for a direction in weight transfer so you will have additional traction in sharp turns and additional stability at higher speeds. In a turn torsion bars transfer weight to the opposite front wheel and remove weight from the rear wheel on the same side. A vertical hitch head compromises that transfer. Hitch head tilt is far more than just getting the bars vertical and links correct. You might want to google this issue to fully understand how the hitch head transfers weight in a turn and why the tilt is so important. Or you can find an excellent discussion on this in Airstream Life magazine Summer 2010 issue.

[coolbreeze01]

Search hitch head degree angle. Lots of info available.

[trail-explorer]

HaulinBass02 wrote:
Do I tilt the hitch head forward towards the suburban to help the bars align more parallel to the frame and get more links on the bracket? What would be the best way to do this?

That will work until you get the correct drop shank.
Once you get the new drop shank and lower the hitch head, the head will probably end up being mostly level to get the bars at a good tension.

[Need-A-Vacation]

Congrats on the new rig!!!

Since the total number of chain links on the wd bars can vary a little, it is usually better to state how many links are "under tension" (between the wd bar and snap up bracket).

Once you get the correct shank for your tv and tt, you can begin to set up the wdh.

What type of wdh do you have, a round bar or trunnion bar system?

With the tt unhooked, measure the front fender height of your tv on each side from the ground. Now once the trailer is hooked up, adjust the head angle to return the front fender to the same height, or as close to it as possible. But make sure you keep enough chain links under tension so no part of the bars will hit the trailer frame in a tight turn. Usually 5 links is enough but having a bottom mount coupler you may be able to go to 4 links under tensions. Just make sure nothing will hit the trailer frame!!!

If needed, follow my signature link for the how to set up a wdh.

Good luck and enjoy the new rig!!!

ps: You can update your signature now!!!