Front end feels light after dlr adjustment

Catmike2 · 06-23-2016, 06:14 PM

Recent dealer tweak of our weight distribution hitch makes the front end steer light. Suggestions please.

Paintinfool3 · 06-23-2016, 06:20 PM

what kind of wdh

Catmike2 · 06-23-2016, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paintinfool3

what kind of wdh

It's an Andersen WD Hitch........ We towed real well but after a few trips lots of noise when turning/parking. I'll chain up at three links vs the two we now us after dlr "fix". Towing to Maine on Sunday. Ty.

Paintinfool3 · 06-23-2016, 07:38 PM

round bar with chains or trunnion bars

Catmike2 · 06-23-2016, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paintinfool3

round bar with chains or trunnion bars

Ty.... Round bar with chains......

Paintinfool3 · 06-23-2016, 07:50 PM

I would raise the back of the truck more and take up another chain link as you hook up ... on mine I count from the bar but some people count down from the end of chain .. when I am just pulling a short distance I run 9 links from bar ... if I am pulling a long distance I go 8 links and it puts more weight to the front... I don't know how your bars sit in relation to the trailer frame but they should run pretty much parallel and end of bars shouldn't be touching trailer frame when hooked up ... also a little grease on bars where they go in the hitch mount helps quieten that side up a lot ... I hear a lot of noisy hitches and it is not uncommon ... sort of the nature of pressure applied in different directions to the chain when turning and backing

trashman · 06-23-2016, 08:12 PM

Can you post a picture of your WD hitch setup.

Catmike2 · 06-23-2016, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paintinfool3

I would raise the back of the truck more and take up another chain link as you hook up ... on mine I count from the bar but some people count down from the end of chain .. when I am just pulling a short distance I run 9 links from bar ... if I am pulling a long distance I go 8 links and it puts more weight to the front... I don't know how your bars sit in relation to the trailer frame but they should run pretty much parallel and end of bars shouldn't be touching trailer frame when hooked up ... also a little grease on bars where they go in the hitch mount helps quieten that side up a lot ... I hear a lot of noisy hitches and it is not uncommon ... sort of the nature of pressure applied in different directions to the chain when turning and backing

Ty Paintin..... The wife says we counting down from the end of the chain....we'll follow your recommendations.....

Catmike2 · 06-23-2016, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trashman

Can you post a picture of your WD hitch setup.

Trashman, This photo is before the dlr tweak.......

Catmike2 · 06-23-2016, 08:37 PM

Another Before.... I'm sorry I don't have one of the current setup.... It doesn't look much different.... This is at three links... "Current" is at two links. The Ball (unseen here) is cantered toward the truck.......

BigJohnD · 06-23-2016, 09:45 PM

From that picture, looks like the hitch head needs to be tilted back / down a little more and go from there with the links.

Catmike2 · 06-23-2016, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigJohnD

From that picture, looks like the hitch head needs to be tilted back / down a little more and go from there with the links.

Ty John...... As mentioned it's a old photo....

goducks · 06-23-2016, 11:57 PM

That's not an Andersen WD. But besides that point you need to setup the front of the F150. Ford recommends returning the front of the truck to 1/2 or less of the measurement of hitched and unhitched.
If the front fender well from the ground measures 34" with no TT hitched and then after setting the coupler on the ball and no spring bars it measures 36", you need to adjust the WD until the front measures 35"-34" and no less than 34".

Paintinfool3 · 06-24-2016, 03:21 AM

what go ducks said is true ... weight should be returned to front axle after hookup so it is roughly the same height as before... in this one I was adjusting mine and the head was tilted too far forward but I had the height right

Seann45 · 06-24-2016, 06:29 AM

I think you need to go more links not less... the tighter the bars the more weight that is transferred to the front axle.
As a side note when I had a system like that and found what was right for me I painted the link I used so I did not have to count links or even remember..

RedHorse1 · 06-24-2016, 06:48 AM

Before you start tweaking the hitch I'd suggest visiting the scales. Once you know how it's set up you can make adjustments based on the numbers.
The CAT Scale is your friend.

Rustic Eagle · 06-24-2016, 07:59 AM

I agree, the CAT scale is the best way to "dial-in" the WDH adjustment, and will also confirm that the WDH is rated correctly (an underrated WDH can make it difficult to maintain proper weight transfer). The TV fender-well measuring procedure will normally get one in the "adjustment" ballpark.

CAT Scale 'how-to': http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f3...v-tt-3871.html

Referencing the number of chain links "under tension" is commonly stated, and also minimizes a potential adjustment oversight in the event of different chain lengths.

Bob

Catmike2 · 06-25-2016, 10:54 AM

Thank you fellow RV'ers. Great suggestions and knowledge here. We'll hook up tonight and adjust .... We Head out in the AM for Maine.....

Rustic Eagle · 06-25-2016, 03:14 PM

Catmike2,

Safe travels......., check your TV/TT tire (and spare) psi's before hitting the highway.

Bob

eldermike · 06-25-2016, 06:37 PM

It's hard to tell from the pictures but to my eye the front of the camper is higher than it should be and the rear of the truck is lower than ideal. Those bars look to be a bit to small to raise an F150.

Suggestion: You complained about noise and most likely that's what they tried to correct. What you should do is ask them to set you up slightly lower in camper front while keeping truck as close to level as possible. That hitch might not get that done, not sure really.

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