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Old 02-20-2013, 04:00 PM   #1
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Hitch Head Angle Question

I'd like to tweak my WDH just a little more. I'm sitting fairly good now [thanks to DougToms and others]. My trailer has a very heavy tongue at 1400lbs. 2 questions. #1. Does angling the hitch head up mean towards the TV and down mean towards the TT? 2. What is the hitch head angle's relationship with the trunnion arms? I don't know if I should angle up or down. Right now I'm almost vertical. The weather's been crappy here or I would have experimented with this already. I was just wondering what others do with a heavy tongue trailer. I'm probably missing something blindly easy, but I'd thought I'd ask anyway. Towing with a 2012 F-250 with a 2.5in Reese Titan shank and 1500lb trunnion arms. Thanks for any input.
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Old 02-20-2013, 04:27 PM   #2
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Tilting the ball mount toward the "TT" will induce more force on the spring bars (when engaged) thus distributing more weight to the TV's front suspension. Both the ball mount tilt angle and the number of chain links "under tension" will influence the degree of weight distribution. Most standard WDH's require at least 5 chain links under tension to allow for proper spring bar movement and TT A-frame clearance during TV turns.

When adjusting any WDH watch for component interferences and clearances.

If you have the REESE 1,700lb rated WDH with the HP Dual Cam (I have the 1,500lb rated version), then the spring bars don't move during TV turns.

Bob
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Old 02-20-2013, 04:33 PM   #3
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#1 = yes

The hitch angle will raise or lower the front of your trailer.
I believe the point of attachment for the bars at the TT will raise or lower accordingly.

If your too heavy on the tongue, you'll have to start loading it differently, taking weight and moving it towards the rear of the TT.

If the tongue weight is getting too high for the TV GVWR, then you'll have to lower tongue weight or remove some cargo weight from TV or both.

Hope this makes sense.

Ideally, your bars should be pretty level, but I don't think it's a big deal to be slightly off level.

I error on the side of my TV being about 0.5" - 1.0" lower in the front versus rear. I never run my TT high in the front.

Hope this helps.
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Old 02-21-2013, 04:01 PM   #4
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Hey guys, thanks for the info. I think first I'll try and tilt the hitch head back for a little more tension on the trunnion arms. Couple of interesting things: Fords new towing specs on 2011 3/4 ton trucks and newer with WD are to alleviate 50% of front end rise. ex; if front end rises 3in, you only need to bring it down 1.5in. Sounds a little odd to me. Also the label on my class 5 hitch states "max weight distribution with a 2in draw bar w/ adapter; tongue 1250, towing 12,500. With a 2.5in draw bar; tongue 1750, towing 17,500." Since I have a 2.5 in draw bar, I'm well within tongue weight limits and my GCWR is 23,500, also well within limits. I may just leave my WDH alone and do what I should have done from the get go, make the 110 mile round trip to the nearest CAT scale. [after this newest ice storm passes]. Terry
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Old 02-21-2013, 05:27 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TCNASHVILLE View Post
snip...... Fords new towing specs on 2011 3/4 ton trucks and newer with WD are to alleviate 50% of front end rise. ex; if front end rises 3in, you only need to bring it down 1.5in. Sounds a little odd to me .....snip
Terry,

Yeah, I caught that a couple of years ago. The 50% front rise can be assumed as also saying the WDH should return 50% of the weight removed (helps at the CAT scale). Oh course one can return the front suspension to the original height or return the same amount of weight with the WDH.

I agree, not sure why the larger "window".

Bob

ON EDIT: I assume you have the Cat Scale "how-to": http://www.jaycoowners.com/showthrea...igh-Your-tt-tv
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Old 02-21-2013, 05:29 PM   #6
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Yep, I agree. Sounds out of sync with the WDH set-up procedures.
Heck, I think my inital measurement without WDH was a 1.5" rise.
I set my up to a 1/8" rise.

CAT scale should be definitie as to what you are accomplishing.

If you have the time, see what your front axle weight is with reducing only 50% rise :-)

We're getting ice tonight here in Cincy.

Later,
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Old 02-21-2013, 06:19 PM   #7
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Yeah Doug, I'm curious to that as well. According to the sticker, front GAWR is 5940 and rear is 6100. GVWR is 10,000. I was wondering why combined GAWR is 12,040 and GVWR is only 10,000. Am I missing something? Brains, maybe. Thanks to you to Bob as I found my nearest CAT scale through your link.
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Old 02-21-2013, 06:41 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TCNASHVILLE View Post
snip...... I was wondering why combined GAWR is 12,040 and GVWR is only 10,000. Am I missing something?.... snip
The TV's GAWR's are individual "component" weight limits, and the actual individual weights can very greatly depending on how the TV is loaded. The TV GVWR trumps the combined F/R GAWR's because the GVWR takes into consideration the TV Frame, Drive Train, Axles, etc., as a TV assembly.

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Old 02-21-2013, 08:12 PM   #9
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Terry, I have the same truck. I also have the Titan 2.5 inch draw bar, although my dual cam is the 12,000# version. With my TT hitched, my front end is at unloaded ride height, and the rear is about 1/2" to 1" of sag. I also installed air bags in the rear of the truck. The air bags helped tremendously. The truck and trailer are as close to level as you can get and makes for a wonderful towing experience. My hitch head is tilted toward the rear slightly to get a little more tension on the bars, I'm about 1,000# on the tongue.

As a side note about the adapters...When I first got the truck, I didn't have the 2.5" draw bar. I used the adapter and hated it! The hitch moved up and down, side to side about 3/4" and made a heck of a lot of noise when towing.

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Old 02-22-2013, 08:30 PM   #10
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Dave, here is a picture of the label on my class 5 hitch.Click image for larger version

Name:	016.jpg
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ID:	6592 I was wondering if you had the same on your truck. I was researching 2012 Ford towing specs and found that max tongue weight for my truck [crewcab, diesel] is 1400lbs, which is where I'm at with my TT, I think. Confusing part is what the hitch label says with a 2.5 in draw bar. CAT scale will take away all the guess work. Which air bags did you go with? Both Firestone and Airlift tout better sway control than any WDH on the market. I have to wait before I install air bags until I can figure out what my actual tongue weight is so I'm not overloaded. I don't like using the adapter either but I have to because I pull a 20ft pontoon boat with a 2in ball. Terry
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Old 02-22-2013, 09:08 PM   #11
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Terry,
Can you install a 2" ball on a 2.5" draw bar?
Isn't the draw bar the part that goes into the receiver?


I've always read good things about the firestone airbags on the 4Runner forum.


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Old 02-22-2013, 09:10 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TCNASHVILLE View Post
snip......I was researching 2012 Ford towing specs and found that max tongue weight for my truck [crewcab, diesel] is 1400lbs, which is where I'm at with my TT, I think. Confusing part is what the hitch label says with a 2.5 in draw bar.....snip
Terry,

The weight ratings noted on the OEM receiver apply only to the receiver, not necessarily the TV..., that's why the statement on the receiver label; "See owners manual for specific rating".

Bob
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Old 02-22-2013, 09:26 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TCNASHVILLE View Post
snip..... Both Firestone and Airlift tout better sway control than any WDH on the market....snip
Terry,

That's an interesting claim by both manufactures, but I guess they can say it because a standard WDH doesn't perform any sway control function, it just distributes weight.

I agree that air bags can provided added stability do to increased cargo weight and reduce rear TV squat, but I'm open to learn how they provide sway control for the trailer in tow.

I wonder if they mean that an airbag will aid in maintaining rear TV stability (minimize degree of squat) when under added load similar to the way a WDH lifts the rear of TV during it's weight distribution process? Just trying to understand where they may be coming from.

Apologize for drifting off topic, but my curiosity got the best of me

Bob
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Old 02-22-2013, 10:18 PM   #14
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Agree Bob. I didn't get that either.
As you note, the way they worded it could be very misleading unless we find otherwise.
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Old 02-23-2013, 07:16 PM   #15
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Doug, the 2.5 in Reese Titan draw bar or shank is what the hitch head bolts onto. My hitch head has a 2&5/16 ball mounted to it already. I couldn't put a 2in ball on it because the shaft of the 2in ball is smaller than the 2&5/16. I guess I could get a smaller hitch head to bolt on a 2in ball. I already have a smaller 2in Reese drawbar with a 2in drop that has the ball already mounted, so when I pull the pontoon boat I just slip in the adapter and away we go. Bob, I have searched my owners manual for a specific tongue weight rating and can't find anything. Got curious, thats why I looked it up on Fords web. Just relaying web info on the airbags. If you go to Airlifts website, it says "virtually eliminates sway". Don't know how they do it either. From everything I've heard though, they make for a better towing experience. Terry
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Old 02-23-2013, 07:21 PM   #16
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OK, the Airlift website shows a TV/ TT combo and specifically says "Goodbye squat, trailer sway and bottoming out" Just wanted to be sure! lol! Click on Loadlifter 5000.
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Old 02-23-2013, 09:17 PM   #17
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Terry,

I believe that Air Lift manufactures some great products..., so I guess at the end of the day any product that enhances the stability of a TV's suspension can't be all bad!

Bob
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Old 02-23-2013, 10:07 PM   #18
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Bob, I agree but I hope people won't misconstrue the reality of the situation. Yes, you can pump the airbags up to level out the TV/TT, but overloaded at the tongue and or GVWR is still overloaded even with the airbags. Just a thought, Terry
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Old 02-23-2013, 11:06 PM   #19
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snip..... but overloaded at the tongue and or GVWR is still overloaded even with the airbags....snip
Well stated.
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Old 02-24-2013, 09:55 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TCNASHVILLE View Post
Dave, here is a picture of the label on my class 5 hitch.Attachment 6592 I was wondering if you had the same on your truck. I was researching 2012 Ford towing specs and found that max tongue weight for my truck [crewcab, diesel] is 1400lbs, which is where I'm at with my TT, I think. Confusing part is what the hitch label says with a 2.5 in draw bar. CAT scale will take away all the guess work. Which air bags did you go with? Both Firestone and Airlift tout better sway control than any WDH on the market. I have to wait before I install air bags until I can figure out what my actual tongue weight is so I'm not overloaded. I don't like using the adapter either but I have to because I pull a 20ft pontoon boat with a 2in ball. Terry
Terry, The label is the same on mine. I went with the Firestone air bags. As far as sway control, I love my Dual-cam hitch. I doubt the air bags have anything to do with actual trailer sway. It does make the truck more stable and solid at highway speeds though. The air bags act like an anti-roll bar in the rear suspension, as long as you have them plumbed separately. If you have them plumbed into a "t" fitting to air them up, as you take a curve, the air has the ability to flow from one bag to the other, reducing their effectiveness.

I also found a 2 1/2 inch ball mount that I have a 2 inch ball on for my buddies boat trailer. I still have to use the adapter for my utility trailer because it takes a 1 7/8 inch ball.

Dave
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