New Camper Question #2: Hitch position

Question

As I mentioned in New Camper Question #1, we had a (mostly) successful first trip with our new Rockwood Roo 23SS. It's an upgrade from our 21SS.

I really have no knowledge about the best position for an equalizer hitch. I have a Reese equalizer, and when we bought the 21SS I had the hitch dealer (different person than our camper dealer) install it and adjust it to match the 21SS. Now I'm not sure how to adjust it (or even if it needs to be adjusted) for the 23SS.

At first I just hooked up the 23SS and started pulling with no adjustments at all. But it seemed like the front of the trailer was dipping down too low, even when I put the equalizer bars 1-2 chain links higher than I usually did with the 21SS, but that seemed to create a lot more tension on the bars that wasn't there before. The 21SS was a lower profile, so I felt the hitch needed to come up vertically. There are 2 bolts and 5 holes, the two bolts were in holes 2 and 4, I moved them up to holes 1 and 3, which effectively raised the ball by about an inch. I still had the bars 1-2 chain links higher than I did with the 21SS, but the tension of the bars seemed to be more in line with what I would have expected.

The trailer towed OK, but it did feel a little like it was wagging more than normal ... but perhaps that's just the extra few feet of the 23SS vs the 21SS.

Any suggestions on how to make sure the hitch is at the optimum position?

bikendan · Answer

since it has chain links, you don't have an Equalizer hitch, that's a particular brand name of Weight Distributing Hitch, just like Reese Dual-Cam.

so, it would help if you posted the brand of weight distributing hitch that you have.
also if you posted pics of the hitch head's angle and maybe what the combo looks like when hooked up.

skipnchar · Answer

Equalizer is a brand name so I SUSPECT you are meaning Weight Distributing hitch made by Reece. There is a sticky in the towing section about the proper way to adjust your WD system. Remember though, it is BASED on the hitch being the correct size for your trailer so if you moved up to a larger/heavier trailer it may or may not be suitable for the new one without changing some of the parts.
Here's a link to the set up information article. Hitch set up

joe525 · Answer

Try this.Set the trailer &amp; truck on a level surface without being hookd up.Measure the front top of the wheelwell from the ground. (say 37")Set the trailer on the hitch and re-measure.(say 38")Hook the stabilizer bars wher you normally would. it should be no more than 1/2 the distance from weighted and un-weighted. (about 37-1/2")If not, readjust the links in your chain until it's closer to your starting height. At least that's how it was explained to me.Joe

chuck_s · Answer

The Roo 23SS used to come with the suspension riser kit as standard.  A two inch lift of the frame.  Lift your ball 2" and go from there.-- Chuck

tractorboy30 · Answer

joe525 wrote:Try this.Set the trailer &amp; truck on a level surface without being hookd up.Measure the front top of the wheelwell from the ground. (say 37")Set the trailer on the hitch and re-measure.(say 38")Hook the stabilizer bars wher you normally would. it should be no more than 1/2 the distance from weighted and un-weighted. (about 37-1/2")If not, readjust the links in your chain until it's closer to your starting height. At least that's how it was explained to me.Joethis is the way I was told to but to make sure u leave 5 or 6 links long as the less links means the less movement you have when trunning just my 2  cents       Frank

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New Camper Question #2: Hitch position

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