WD troubling me

[Jayco29fbs]

Hello all. I've recently purchased a 2006 29 FBS ( Tow vehicle 2012 Ram 1500 Hemi ) and I did the research on here about installation of WD. My issue is I'm unable to achieve 5/6 chain links. I'm presently at 8 chain links. I've attempted to tilt the ball/hitch backwards and forwards with no luck at hitting that 5/6 link setting. The torsion bars are also pionted upwards and not parallel with trailer frame. These are the measurements I have as it stands now.

Truck Unhitched Front 36in
Rear 37 1/2in
Truck Ball/Hitch 21 1/4in

Trailer Unhitched Front 20 1/4in
Rear 20 1/4in
Trailer coupler 22in


With torsion bars snapped in:

Truck Hitched Front 36in
Rear 36in

Trailer Hitched Front 19 1/2in
Rear 20 1/2in

Are these measurements good and if they are how do I correct the bars so they are parallel to the trailer frame?
Also is it recommended to use 2 friction sway bars with this size trailer?

Thank you and Happy camping.

Claude

[McMonk]

Seen issues like this posted before - curious if your torsion bars are heavy enough for the application?

No experience with using dual sway bars...sorry!

[Rustic Eagle]

Claude,

Welcome to the Jayco forums

Just a couple of questions that may help us with your issue:

* I assume that you have a standard WDH (not a Reese Dual Cam) ?
* What brand/model WDH do you have (Reese, etc.) ?
* What are the spring bars rated at (800lbs, 1,000lbs, etc.) ?
* Do you have "round" or "trunnion" style spring bars ?
* Can you post a side view pic of your WDH with the TV/TT hitched ?

Based on your posted information thus far, I can offer the following:

You stated that you are "presently at 8 chain links" and that the spring "bars are also pointed upwards"........, this implies to me that you are counting the chain links that are hanging loose from the snap-up bracket, not under tension.

Note: With a standard WDH you want to achieve at least 5 chain links under tension (not hanging loose). Less than 5 chain links under tension may cause the WDH to bind in tight TV turns.

Your correct that ideally you want the round or trunnion style spring bars parallel to the TT frame when engaged. The round spring bars can have a "slight" downward angle, but the trunnion style spring bars can have a more aggressive downward angle and be just fine.

The 2006 29FBS has a dry tongue weight of 740lbs, UVW 6,725lbs, and a GVWR 8,750lbs. Also, the 29FBS has an overall length of 32'-5".

Note: When sizing and adjusting a WDH it's best to work with "loaded" TV/TT weights. Our loading habits very.....; so assuming that your loaded TT weight is 7,600lbs you would want a loaded TT tongue weight of 13% to 15% of the TT weight = 988lbs to 1,140lbs. Based on just this assumption the WDH should be sized/rated at 1,000lbs minimum, but 1,200lbs would be ideal.

Your TV's front/rear suspension measurements with TV unhitched and TV/TT hitched with spring bars engaged look fine.., but I do question whether the WDH is adjusted correctly in achieving these dimensions.

Yes, most WDH manufactures recommend using two friction sway control bars on TT's longer than 25ft.

Reese Trunnion Spring Bar style WDH install/adjustment: http://www.reeseprod.com/content/dow...ion/N66022.pdf

Reese Round Spring Bar style WDH install/adjusment: http://www.reeseprod.com/content/dow...ion/N66067.pdf

Hope the above info helps a little, and look forward to your feedback.

Bob

[Jayco29fbs]

Hello Bob and thank you.
They're standard round bars ( 800lbs -1,200lbs ) made by Husky. I have a total of 9 chain links . Presently 8 are under tension and 1 loose. (Note both TV and TT are loaded) If I change to 7 or 9 under tension it changes my measurements completely. I will post pics tonight for you to look at and hopefully better understand my issue. Sorry if I'm not explaining things correctly. Like they say a picture is worth a thousand words. Your help is very much appreciated.

Claude

[Rustic Eagle]

Claude,

I agree, a picture in this case will help a lot.

I'm a little puzzled with having 8 links under tension, proper weight distribution, and still the bars angled up-ward....., unless it's a slight angle (which would be ok). I do realize that with round or trunnion bar WDH's it isn't uncommon to have more than 5 links under tension.., the location (top or bottom mount) of the TT ball coupler on the TT frame, and TT frame size can influence the results.

Question; What is the present "tilt" location of your ball mount on the draw bar (tilted toward TV, toward TT, etc.)?

Also, most round bar WDH ball mounts don't have as much range of tilt as the trunnion style WDH ball mounts..., which can make adjustments a little challenging on some TV/TT combinations with the round bar ball mount.

I've been camping so I may not be able to reply right away.., but I try to get a WIFI signal in town when I can. I'm sure once you post a couple of pic's some other knowledgeable JOF members will chime in as well.

Bob

[Jayco29fbs]

Bob
Don't worry about posting over the weekend I too will be camping this weekend. The ball coupler on the TT is below the frame and the ball mount is slightly tilted towards the TV. ( If I tilt is backwards or towards TT it will increases the amount of chain links to 9 in order to keep my measurements )
I will post pictures ASAP for you. As I continue to educate myself on JOF threads on different subjects I'm starting to lean toward purchasing the Reese Dual Cam set. Seems many members strongly agree its the way to go.
I don't mind changing WD systems. Kept WD from previous trailer and if its not going to do the job, I'll replace it.
Again thank you for your feed back.

Claude

[Rustic Eagle]

Claude,

Have a great weekend...., and I will watch for your pic posting, I'm still curious

Bob

[Jayco29fbs]

Hello Bob

Here some pics that may help you in determining my problem with my WD set up. Hope your camping weekend was a good one. Would you suggest just going with the Resse Dual cam system?

Thanks
Claude

[Rustic Eagle]

Claude,

Actually I'm still camping...., arrived early (to beat the heat) this morning at the Huron National Forest for some more boondocking.

Your pics help a lot. I have to agree with you that the only way to get the bars close to level is to go to 9 links under tension and tilt the ball accordingly (maintaining correct weight distribution). If you can make a sharp TV turn without the tail(s) of the spring bars hitting the TT frame with 8 links under tension, I guess it's "ok"...., but with round bar WDH's parallel to the TT frame is ideal.

With the Jayco tall TT frame and bottom mount ball coupler can make adjusting some round bar WDH's a challenge. Looks like an older Husky WDH and the round bars seem to sit a little lower do to the way the bars attach in the ball mount.

Originally Posted by Jayco29fbs

snip.......Would you suggest just going with the Reese Dual cam system? Thanks Claude

Well, since you asked........, if I was towing a 32ft long TT with the potential loaded weights of the 29FBS, then "YES" the Reese Straight Line WDH (includes the Reese HP Dual Cam) with at least 1,200lb rated "TRUNNION" style spring bar would be my "minimum" WDH recommendation. A trunnion style spring bar WDH would work better with your Jayco A-frame set-up.

http://www.reeseprod.com/content/pro...665&part=66074

Bob

[Jayco29fbs]

Bob
Thank you for your information. I've placed my order for the Reese Dual Cam Kit 66074. Will be in tomorrow and I have time this weekend to install them.
I'll keep you posted.

Claude

[Rustic Eagle]

Claude,

When installing the Reese HP Dual Cam, the mounting location of the HP Dual Cam "frame plate" is important, confirm that they are properly located before drilling any holes.

Once you have the HP Dual Cam WDH mounted, it may take a little extra adjustment time to "dial-in" the WDH, but I'm sure you will be pleased with the towing results.

Look forward to seeing your new Reese WDH pics

Bob

[Jayco29fbs]

Morning Bob
I finally got time to install my Reese Dual Cam and WD kit over the weekend. With some minor adjusting I am pleased with the way the TV/TT now seat. I went for a roadtest with it and found a difference right away. The real test will be in 2 weeks when we go camping. When I have the TT/TV hitched up again I'll post some pics.

Thank you
Claude

[Rustic Eagle]

Claude,

Great to hear that the new Reese DC WDH is working out for you thus far, and that you tackled the install/adjustment on your own.

Bob

[Jayco29fbs]

Hello Bob

Must say I'm very pleased with the new WD set up and with some tweaking it was a great relief not having to clamp both hands on the wheel.
Here are the pictures you asked for. Looking for to our vacation to Finger Lakes at the end of August. Thank you for your help. Happy Camping.

Claude

[Rustic Eagle]

Claude,

Your pics of your WDH/DC look great, and assuming that your weight distribution to the TV's front suspension is correct, you should be good to go.

The only suggestion I might make is to route your E-brake cable such that it is routed on the same side of the WDH as the brake-away module......, or at least such that it doesn't have the potential of getting "caught-up" on anything. If it makes routing easier you can shorten the cable as well (of course allowing for required TV turns, etc.).

I'm sure you will experince enhanced TV handling of the TT when towing under less than desirable road/weather conditions.

Bob