questioning hitch setup

[Iraqvet05]

I installed a new 10k Equalizer when we bought our 28BHBE in November of 2018. Our trips have mostly been local but we went to windy South Dakota last year and to Nebraska earlier this month.

My hitch set up and the steering response on my F-250 seems questionable. It feels like semis passing us suck me toward them and there is some oversteer with the truck. The trailer is slightly nose down and it takes some effort to put the bars on but as I recall, the F-250 didn't squat much so using a tape measure at the front fender wells didn't seem like a good way to measure front axle load. I don't pack the front of the TT to heavy given the floorplan and the bed of my truck is usually loaded light (a bike, some chairs and maybe a cooler).

I plan to hit a CAT scale at a nearby Flying J in a few weeks to see what my axle weights look like. I've never been to a scale but it looks fairly simple. I weight loaded with the bars on the hitch then re-weigh with the bars off. I plan to post my weights once this has been performed and solicit advice but is there anything to try before then? Also, are all CAT scales equipped with 3 separate scales?

[Old and soft]

My f250 felt the same way when I brought my 264bh home. I have towed heavier, but first time something that large. Tightened up the built in sway another 1/2 turn than the dealer had it. Problem gone.

[64osby]

Also, are all CAT scales equipped with 3 separate scales?

Yes. Steer, Drive, Trailer.

Going to the scales lets you dial the hitch in to get the steer axle where it needs to be and lets you know the tongue weight. From there you can adjust how you pack to reduce or increase tongue weight.

[Marcm157]

I have almost the same setup as you. When I upgraded from my F150 to my F250 I also upgraded to a 14K Equalix. My tongue weight is approx 1200 - 1250 pounds as we load pretty heavy. Upgrading to the heavier bars and dialing in my hitch to throw a bit more weight forward made a ton of difference.

[JFlightRisk]

I recheck the torque on the bar socket bolts every spring, and usually end up with a little tighter sway control. The metal to metal friction surfaces will wear them a little loose over time.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by Iraqvet05

snip......I plan to hit a CAT scale at a nearby Flying J in a few weeks to see what my axle weights look like. I've never been to a scale but it looks fairly simple......snip

CAT Scale how-to:

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

Bob

[bearcat77]

When we had a 27BHS, the dealer installed a 10K Equalizer. I didn’t like the amount of movement I had in the trailer, so I made them exchange it with a 12K. The 12K made a big difference. We were just over 1000lb on the tongue loaded and scaled. I bet you are too. Equalizer will tell you that you must upgrade to next size if you cross over the 1000lb mark.

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by bearcat77

When we had a 27BHS, the dealer installed a 10K Equalizer. I didn’t like the amount of movement I had in the trailer, so I made them exchange it with a 12K. The 12K made a big difference. We were just over 1000lb on the tongue loaded and scaled. I bet you are too. Equalizer will tell you that you must upgrade to next size if you cross over the 1000lb mark.

+1

I think this might be where you're at. I had the Fastway E2 1000/10000 on my 28BHBE and never felt very confident with it, even when it was dialed in per the tape measure.

I replaced it with a Blue Ox Sway Pro, higher rated (1500/15000 IIRC) and it was quite a bit better.

Your GVWR on the trailer is 9600 lbs right? That means if you're at 15% tongue weight, that's a potential tongue weight of over 1400 lbs.

You may just be asking too much out of the 1000/10000 rated hitch.

You'll know more once you hit the scale.