New Tow Vehicle and level

Fiori1010 · 10-10-2021, 01:06 PM

This past spring I upgraded the tow vehicle to a 2021 Ram 1500 Hemi W/Etorque with the 3.92 gearing. I have a 2019 X23B. I spent this past summer trying to fine tune my Curt TS Centerline WDH and I cant seem to get it 100% level. I’m I just being to picky or should I invest in some airbags to bring the combo to 100% level. Different WDH? It rides great and I am very satisfied with it, but in my head I would like it to be level.

TaftCoach · 10-10-2021, 03:20 PM

By the looks of the picture you’re crashing head on into the road. Lol

I’d first check with Curt and if they can’t get you level, I’d be thinking about a system upgrade.

dxrobertson · 10-10-2021, 04:02 PM

Looks level "enough" to me. But maybe another pic of the hitch mech would help.

The pink flamingos arent giving any attention at all, looks ok to them too.

Fiori1010 · 10-10-2021, 04:14 PM

Haha..I can’t keep up with my kids school fund raising events, that was the morning we were leaving and my youngest daughter tells me “dad we have flamingos on the grass”. I’m from Long Island, so I was like WTH lol. I rotated the picture for a better visual.

TaftCoach · 10-10-2021, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiori1010

Haha..I can’t keep up with my kids school fund raising events, that was the morning we were leaving and my youngest daughter tells me “dad we have flamingos on the grass”. I’m from Long Island, so I was like WTH lol. I rotated the picture for a better visual.

I change my earlier opinion. If it handles fine, it looks good to me.

dxrobertson · 10-10-2021, 04:32 PM

Still looks good enough. Maybe try ratcheting up the chains 1 more link (or whatever on Curt) to see if it pulls it up to more level.

**JFlightRisk** · 10-10-2021, 05:17 PM

100% level isn't necessary. If the spring bars are parallel to the TT tongue, the hitch ball has a slight rearward tilt (roughly 15*), and the TV fender well measurements (before and after hitching up) are within the tolerances in the Curt manual, you're fine. I'm sure if your steering was too light when you tow, you'd notice that right away.

Rustic Eagle · 10-10-2021, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiori1010

snip........spent this past summer trying to fine tune my Curt TS Centerline WDH and I cant seem to get it 100% level......snip

What is the weight rating(s) of your Curt WDH?

Keep in mind that a WDH's primary design function is to return the weight "back" to the TV's front axle that was removed due to the effect of the TT's tongue weight being placed on the TV's hitch ball.

It's very common that once a WDH is properly adjusted the rear of the TV will have a 1" to 2" squat. Leveling of the TT can be addressed via raising/lowering the WDH ball mount (level is ideal, 'little' noise down fine).

I would recommend a '3-pass' CAT Scale weigh-in...., the CAT results will confirm all your weights, confirm a 13% to 15% loaded tongue weight, confirm proper WDH size rating, and proper WDH adjustment (target weight distribution).

CAT Scale how-to:

https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...v-tt-3871.html

Just food for thought.

Bob

gunafulltime · 10-10-2021, 05:58 PM

X2 What Rustic Eagle said - the scales get you to the bottom line and the facts about where the weight is. It makes all the difference. I've had the wdh all dialed in according to the manufacturer's instructions only to discover that one or more of the axles (TV front and rear and TT) were either either carrying too much or too little of the load.

Dial-in the wdh then go to the scales to refine your settings. It can be surprising what you learn from the weigh-in.

mrmom · 10-11-2021, 05:24 AM

Is it just the picture, or is the trailer a higher in the front? If it is I would think this is the place to start. You should always have your trailer either level or slightly nose down when towing to reduce sway. Try lowering the hitch on the shank & then start over with your adjustments.

16WhiteColly · 10-11-2021, 05:53 AM

If that Dodge does not have rear coil spring suspension, a good upgrade would be to add the Air Bag kit. Would help reduce the squat that you have. I added them on my Colorado and they totally reduced sway. If your WD bars are parallel to the frame now, then you are probably not going to be able to transfer enough weight to the front, and if not, you may experience some sway with that amount of squat.

TWP723 · 10-11-2021, 05:56 AM

Put it this way, air bags won't hurt. However, I do agree with getting your weights on paper.

Fiori1010 · 10-11-2021, 06:12 AM

My Curt TS hitch is rated for 800-1200 pounds, the 2019 X23B has a GVWR of 5500lbs. I cropped the original photo to zoom in on the hitch as best as I could. Currently wintering the trailer for the season. It does look like the bars near the L brackets could be a little more parallel to the frame? Maybe I can add a washer to the hitch head to increase the angle.

TWP723 · 10-11-2021, 06:27 AM

It does look like the bars can be raised. At least at that angle.

Rustic Eagle · 10-11-2021, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiori1010

My Curt TS hitch is rated for 800-1200 pounds....... snip

Appreciate the follow-up......

The 800lb to 1,200lb Curt WDH rating when adjusted correctly should work just fine with the X23B.

Bob

Otisthecamper · 10-20-2021, 05:32 PM

I leased the same Ram truck as you have this year to pull my Whitehawk 23MRB. I have an equalizer hitch. It took a lot of adjusting and several test drives to finally get it right. My previous truck was a GMC Sierra and the suspension was much better but the Ram has a lot more pulling power. I don't care for the Ram's coil spring rear suspension. It isn't as stable as the GMC and rocks side to side.I bought a pair of Timbren rear suspension enhancements and all they did was make the ride extremely rough. Unfortunately, for me I could not return them because I had installed them and drove 10 miles. I spoke to a customer service rep at etrailer and he was very helpful in giving information about adjusting the WDH. He recommended air shocks if the adjustment didn't work.

timbob · 10-20-2021, 07:55 PM

I installed a 1000lb air bag kit in my 2015 Ram 1500 to assist my Equalizer 1400lb WDH. My trailer is bigger at 6500lbs and 1000lbs tongue weight. I was still sitting too close to the axle stoppers and had a lot of tension on the bars. I could have added a couple more washers but decided on the air bags. I did not feel comfy with amount of bend on bars. I run 35-45psi depending on packing weight. Setup was recommended by an RV dealer hitch set up guy. He said the RAM 1500 rear coils are just too soft for my size trailer compared to leaf springs of competitors and needs help. I am happy with my set up and know a few others who have done the same and are happy. My trailer/ truck sits similar to yours. But truck is a bit more leveled but still down a bit at the rear as expected. And the air bags were cheap, about $170can 6 yrs ago. They fit inside coil springs with a simple tire Schrader that i mounted at rear hitch. An option to consider if your truck level bothers you, but you'll need to repeat hitch set up with airbags inflated.

Insist on live music · 11-08-2021, 07:01 PM

Jayco is tilted little high. I had similar problem. Dealer adjusted hitch 3-times and never felt right even with weight distibution & sway bar. Upon taking entire rig to specialist - they adjusted hitch - recommended suspension "pillows" (sit on top of leaf spring ~ 50lbs PSI) and recommeded increased tire pressure - finally felt right! (now, to be "upfront" my tow vehicle is 2006 Tundra . . . 15 yrs old with full tow package)

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