How much of rise on front of truck acceptable when hitched?
When hitched with the load bars, the front fender of my F150 rises a half inch verses unhitched. Is this acceptable?
Forum Discussion
https://www.rvlifemag.com/taking-the-mystery-out-of-torsion-bars/
https://www.rvlifemag.com/understanding-ball-mount-angle/
https://www.rvlifemag.com/how-to-set-up-a-weight-distributing-hitch-system/
Bars well-chosen and then set at home, take to a CAT SCALE (phone app available) and get the real numbers. There’s an adjustment range from heavy to light with your combined rig. The scale helps you dial it in today, and to diagnose problems in the future.
Three Pass Scale Method (Ron Gratz, back in 2010)
All passengers aboard every time. Full fresh water & propane. Both vehicles loaded for a camping trip.
1). First weigh with hitch tensioned.
2). Second weigh with bars fully slack
3) Third weigh is TV only.
STEER AXLE in #1 & #3 the same (you’re done).
Make adjustments to get close as can be without going over.
A 5’er/GN loads the Steer Axle the same way: no change.
Handling is different of course. But we want steering & braking to be close to the loaded/solo value.
You think you have it close, then test brake control adjustment. SHOULD STOP FASTER FROM 30MPH WHEN HITCHED.
A). Tire pressure take from #1 (or corrected) as against Load & Pressure Table (but not lower than TV manufacturers range). Too much air is BAD idea, worsens braking & steering.
B). Note FF/RR weight bias of TV in #3. Closest to 50/50 before hitching means better outcome. Too much forward = you bought the wrong TV (high rear spring rate not your friend unless utilized in main).
— A 1,000-lb TW is the province of cars. Pickup not needed. The 1/3-Distribution goal means “maybe” 500-lbs static on ball at rest. 10-15% TW which #2 tells you.
The numbers tossed around are placeholders. Towing involves road-going dynamics where the force on the ball can go sky-high, or go super low. The WDH applies these forces across the entirety of the combination vehicle.
Done right, it tracks on rails. Stay with it until this is the outcome. (Anti-sway is a separate subject, but it’ll still need the above).
Andy & his father codified what the rest of us learned more than fifty years ago. That dealership has set up more than 14,000 tow rigs. He’s a consultant on towing to both Airstream and SAE.
.
https://www.rvlifemag.com/understanding-ball-mount-angle/
https://www.rvlifemag.com/how-to-set-up-a-weight-distributing-hitch-system/
Bars well-chosen and then set at home, take to a CAT SCALE (phone app available) and get the real numbers. There’s an adjustment range from heavy to light with your combined rig. The scale helps you dial it in today, and to diagnose problems in the future.
Three Pass Scale Method (Ron Gratz, back in 2010)
All passengers aboard every time. Full fresh water & propane. Both vehicles loaded for a camping trip.
1). First weigh with hitch tensioned.
2). Second weigh with bars fully slack
3) Third weigh is TV only.
STEER AXLE in #1 & #3 the same (you’re done).
Make adjustments to get close as can be without going over.
A 5’er/GN loads the Steer Axle the same way: no change.
Handling is different of course. But we want steering & braking to be close to the loaded/solo value.
You think you have it close, then test brake control adjustment. SHOULD STOP FASTER FROM 30MPH WHEN HITCHED.
A). Tire pressure take from #1 (or corrected) as against Load & Pressure Table (but not lower than TV manufacturers range). Too much air is BAD idea, worsens braking & steering.
B). Note FF/RR weight bias of TV in #3. Closest to 50/50 before hitching means better outcome. Too much forward = you bought the wrong TV (high rear spring rate not your friend unless utilized in main).
— A 1,000-lb TW is the province of cars. Pickup not needed. The 1/3-Distribution goal means “maybe” 500-lbs static on ball at rest. 10-15% TW which #2 tells you.
The numbers tossed around are placeholders. Towing involves road-going dynamics where the force on the ball can go sky-high, or go super low. The WDH applies these forces across the entirety of the combination vehicle.
Done right, it tracks on rails. Stay with it until this is the outcome. (Anti-sway is a separate subject, but it’ll still need the above).
Andy & his father codified what the rest of us learned more than fifty years ago. That dealership has set up more than 14,000 tow rigs. He’s a consultant on towing to both Airstream and SAE.
.
