Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
Jayco RV Owners Forum
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 06-01-2011, 01:31 PM   #21
Senior Member
 
villain2000's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 208
Having that full fw tank had to be adding to your feeling of movement. With that water sloshing around youre bopund to feel that transfer to the tv. Guys that haul takners say that before the days of baffles in the tanks, some truckers would actually get seasick from the liquid moviung in the tank. You may be been feeling something similar to this.
__________________
Traded IN 19BH......;-( Miss It!

:cool: 2013 F150 STX Super Cab With Factory Tow Package, Inegrated Trailer Brake Control, 5.0 Liter with 3.55 Gears and Posi Traction :cool:
villain2000 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-01-2011, 02:46 PM   #22
Moderator Emeritus
 
Rustic Eagle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 9,424
Quote:
Originally Posted by eredinger View Post
snip.....Wow...with the FW tank full and the gear loaded it seems like the back end was so squishy and bounced with every bump. We never hit the bump stops though.......snip
Just to add to 'villain2000' comments..; If you plan to be towing with a full FW tank most of the time, then you should adjust your WDH with a full FW tank. Depending on the location of your FW tank under full conditions, it could very easily add/deduct critical weight from your loaded tongue weight objective (13% to 15% of loaded TT weight) if you adjust your WDH without a full tank.

Note: If you plan to tow the majority of the time with just a couple gallons in the FW tank for travel stops, adjust the WDH to these conditions. If you also feel that there may be some occasions where you will have a full FW tank, then take the TV/TT to a CAT scale to confirm the impact on your loaded tongue weight with a full tank (so you know what handling issues to expect).

Your loaded tongue weight is directly associated to the ease of handling your TV/TT combination under ideal, but more importantly less than ideal conditions.

Just a little more food for thought.

Bob
__________________

2016 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4.10
2018 Jay Flight 24RBS
2002 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4:10 (retired)
2005 Jayco Eagle 278FBS (retired)
1999 Jayco Eagle 246FB (retired)
Reese HP Dual Cam (Strait-Line)
Rustic Eagle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-01-2011, 03:00 PM   #23
Moderator Emeritus
 
Rustic Eagle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 9,424
Quote:
Originally Posted by 3Pillons View Post
Are you sure about that?? My Equal-i-zer manual says to be sure the ball is higher than the coupler. The weight of the trailer will naturally lower it once it's hooked up. Mine is set an inch above the trailer coupler and even with the WDH there is going to be some settling.
IMO both you and 'David472' are correct. The initial top-of-ball height can be 1/2" to 1" lower or higher than the distance from the inside top of the ball coupler of the trailer to the ground. The reason being that in most cases once the ball mount tilt and spring bars are adjusted, the ball mount height may have to be re-adjusted anyways (TV suspensions, spring bar ratings, etc., also play into it).

Bob
__________________

2016 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4.10
2018 Jay Flight 24RBS
2002 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4:10 (retired)
2005 Jayco Eagle 278FBS (retired)
1999 Jayco Eagle 246FB (retired)
Reese HP Dual Cam (Strait-Line)
Rustic Eagle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2011, 08:10 AM   #24
Senior Member
 
David472's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 1,393
Quote:
Originally Posted by 3Pillons View Post
Are you sure about that?? My Equal-i-zer manual says to be sure the ball is higher than the coupler. The weight of the trailer will naturally lower it once it's hooked up. Mine is set an inch above the trailer coupler and even with the WDH there is going to be some settling.
Well, probably up to 1 inch above or below is in the ball park. In another section of the Equalizer manual I have, it says when the TV ball is slightly below the level TT height, there will be more weight transfer when the WD bars are engaged, and less when the TV ball is higher. I just checked mine, and the unhitched TV ball height is slightly lower. For this reason, I suggested he consider the slightly lower unhitched TV condition.
__________________
2013 Jayco Eagle 31.5RLDS
2018 Silverado 2500 HD Duramax
David472 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-03-2011, 08:31 AM   #25
Senior Member
 
3Pillons's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Winder GA
Posts: 133
Well now I'm about totally confused. That's why I'm here. Wouldn't having the the ball lower than the coupler cause the WDH to pick up the rear end of the TV higher than it is when sitting unloaded?? Wouldn't that cause an entirely different set of handling issues??
__________________
Bryan, Pam and Cameron
Winder GA
2003 Jayflight 27BHS, 2004 Ford Expedition
3Pillons is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-03-2011, 02:38 PM   #26
Moderator Emeritus
 
Rustic Eagle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 9,424
Quote:
Originally Posted by 3Pillons View Post
snip.......Wouldn't having the the ball lower than the coupler cause the WDH to pick up the rear end of the TV higher than it is when sitting unloaded??......snip
It's possible, but it's also possible with the ball height higher than the coupler. It's all a matter of leverage, if you apply enough leverage (above what's required for proper weight distribution) with the spring bars you could possibly raise the rear of the TV so that the drive wheels will spin free of the road surface.

Having installed/adjusted numerous WDH's over the years on lot of different TV/TT combinations....., I have found that different TV suspensions, TT A-frames (tube versus channel), TV receivers (amount of flex), type of WDH, WDH spring bar rating, etc., all have an impact on the end result after engaging a pair of WDH spring bars. IMO these variables are the reason the initial 1/2" to 1" setup above/below the inside top of the coupler may not be critical in many cases.

Depending on how well the prior mentioned variables work together will play a roll in whether one has to raise/lower the ball mount to level the TT. This is why a final ball mount adjustment (raise/lower, not all cases) may be required after the weight distribution adjustments.

How the TV receiver reacts to the upward/downward forces being applied at the WDH ball mount via the spring bars......, well, that's for another thread

Hope this helps.

Bob
__________________

2016 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4.10
2018 Jay Flight 24RBS
2002 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4:10 (retired)
2005 Jayco Eagle 278FBS (retired)
1999 Jayco Eagle 246FB (retired)
Reese HP Dual Cam (Strait-Line)
Rustic Eagle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-10-2011, 08:01 AM   #27
Senior Member
 
3Pillons's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Winder GA
Posts: 133
With the Equal-i-zer hitch, the ball height is only that, the ball height. You adjust the amount of weight distribution by adding / deleting spacer washers in the head assembly to change the angle of the head. Or you can adjust the hangers on the TT frame up or down to achieve more / less weight transfer. The ball height is important in ensuring that the trailer and the TV will be level when hooked up. My manual said it was important to have the ball higher than the coupler to ensure proper alignment once hooked up. It even had a chart to use based on the type of TV being used and the stiffness of it's suspension.

This is my first trailer, so I'm certainly no expert. Don't want to pick a fight, but if the trailer is actually causing the rear of the TV to lift up once hooked up, then there is no way that there is any weight on the tongue at all. Common sense says it is the actually taking weight off of the tongue, too much weight. If you drop the TT onto the TV it should sag, you used the WDH to bring it back close to where it was when unloaded. Any higher than that would be too much weight transfer.
__________________
Bryan, Pam and Cameron
Winder GA
2003 Jayflight 27BHS, 2004 Ford Expedition
3Pillons is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-10-2011, 09:58 AM   #28
Senior Member
 
David472's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 1,393
3Pillons,
That's interesting. It seems your manual is different than mine. Also, I have less experience on this topic than others on the forum here. There are quite a few factors that go into hitch adjustment decisions, as Rustic Eagle has said. If a person wants to really dial in the WDH settings, then a trip to the weigh scale is the final word on if the two axles of the TV are bearing the proper amount of load each. I think what we've been discussing here is some things to consider when deciding if the hitch is close to being correct. Your points certainly have merit, because lifting the TV rear end may put too much weight on the front axle. This would have a negative effect on steering.

I hope the OP has found a solution to his concerns about vehicle handling while towing.
__________________
2013 Jayco Eagle 31.5RLDS
2018 Silverado 2500 HD Duramax
David472 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-10-2011, 06:04 PM   #29
Senior Member
 
3Pillons's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Winder GA
Posts: 133
Quote:
Originally Posted by David472 View Post
3Pillons,
I hope the OP has found a solution to his concerns about vehicle handling while towing.
I Second that. My hitch is a 2003 so any number of things could have changed since then. I feel confident with my set-up and hope that everyone else feels the same with theirs.
__________________
Bryan, Pam and Cameron
Winder GA
2003 Jayflight 27BHS, 2004 Ford Expedition
3Pillons is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-11-2011, 09:27 AM   #30
Senior Member
 
newrvguy68's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Lethbridge
Posts: 124
I'm glad that...

...someone else was able to sum up the sensations they are feeling while towing a trailer and being new to the whole thing. I feel that same way and am also new to towing a TT. Sounds like there are a lot of opinions on adjustments to the towing set up as well.

p.s. I'm still trying to figure out if what I have for a WDH includes sway bars, since I don't quite understand the difference with a sway bar and the two heavy bars and chain adjustments I have on mine. My head might explode!
__________________

2012 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Z-71, 6.0L, Crew Cab w/3.73's
2011 Jayco Jayflight Swift 26BH
38 Nights Camping in 2017
newrvguy68 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-11-2011, 10:01 AM   #31
Site Team
 
Crabman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Virginia`s Eastern Shore
Posts: 17,091
Quote:
Originally Posted by newrvguy68 View Post
...someone else was able to sum up the sensations they are feeling while towing a trailer and being new to the whole thing. I feel that same way and am also new to towing a TT. Sounds like there are a lot of opinions on adjustments to the towing set up as well.

p.s. I'm still trying to figure out if what I have for a WDH includes sway bars, since I don't quite understand the difference with a sway bar and the two heavy bars and chain adjustments I have on mine. My head might explode!

A picture of your setup would help us let ya know what ya got.
Some WD systems integrate sway control into the system using the spring bars such as the Reese Dual Cam or the Equalizer. With a sway bar, it hooks up to a small ball pivot on the side of the A frame of the trailer on one end and hooks up to another on the hitch. Some use two sway bars, one on each side of the frame.

This is a sway bar:

__________________
2017 Coachmen Catalina 283RKS
2018 Ford F250 Super Duty 6.2l CCSB
2010 Jayflight 28BHS (sold)
Crabman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-11-2011, 10:08 AM   #32
Site Team
 
Crabman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Virginia`s Eastern Shore
Posts: 17,091
This is a Reese Dual cam with integrated sway control, no sway bars needed:

__________________
2017 Coachmen Catalina 283RKS
2018 Ford F250 Super Duty 6.2l CCSB
2010 Jayflight 28BHS (sold)
Crabman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-11-2011, 10:10 AM   #33
Site Team
 
Crabman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Virginia`s Eastern Shore
Posts: 17,091
This is a regular WD hitch with NO sway control: Does that clear things up a bit? I know all this can be confusing and overwhelming at first, but it gets easier. We`ve all been there.

__________________
2017 Coachmen Catalina 283RKS
2018 Ford F250 Super Duty 6.2l CCSB
2010 Jayflight 28BHS (sold)
Crabman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-13-2011, 06:45 PM   #34
Member
 
eredinger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Northern California
Posts: 35
Thanks to all who have posted in this thread. I'll be heading out this weekend for another trip, but will take a few days before to try and reel this issue in. I'll post what I find.

Thanks again!
__________________
2007 Dodge Big Horn Crew 5.7ltr
2011 Jayco 17z
eredinger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-17-2011, 10:27 AM   #35
Member
 
eredinger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Northern California
Posts: 35
So I have taken some measurements and made a change to my set up. When I measured the TT while hooked up to the truck and on level ground, I found that the trailer was 3 inches lower in the front than the rear. This includes the WDH being hooked up. So it wasn't level and my guess is when the connection flexed (hit a bump in the road) this is would cause the TT weight to transfer forward and down on the rear of the TV and then cause the bouncing or porpoise feeling. So the next step was to raise the ball height 2" and measure again. After raising the ball height and hooking up the WDH, the trailer now sits about a 1/2 higher in the front. I'm going to guess once I add the weight from gear and water it will level out.

I'm leaving today of a quick weekend trip , so I will update how it went when I return.

Thanks again to all for the help and have a great weekend!
Attached Thumbnails
IMG_1212.jpg   IMG_1213.jpg   IMG_1214.jpg   IMG_1215.jpg  
__________________
2007 Dodge Big Horn Crew 5.7ltr
2011 Jayco 17z
eredinger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-17-2011, 01:19 PM   #36
Senior Member
 
Terry's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Germantown, TN
Posts: 4,923
Well hopefully that got it! Your hitch setup is nearly identical to my 26BH. Interesting I never noticed how inset the receiver is on that Dodge. My Chevy's receiver is at the bumper edge. Not sure what if any difference that makes, but found it curious.



__________________
Terry
2009 Jayco 26BH
2004 Chevy Silverado 1500
2009 JayFlight Manual Library

Want to add a signature to your posts? --> Click Here
Terry is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-18-2011, 07:22 PM   #37
Moderator Emeritus
 
Rustic Eagle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 9,424
Quote:
Originally Posted by eredinger View Post
snip......I'm leaving today of a quick weekend trip , so I will update how it went when I return......snip
Eredinger,

Here are two of your thumbnail pics lightened up for clarity:





Bob
__________________

2016 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4.10
2018 Jay Flight 24RBS
2002 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4:10 (retired)
2005 Jayco Eagle 278FBS (retired)
1999 Jayco Eagle 246FB (retired)
Reese HP Dual Cam (Strait-Line)
Rustic Eagle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2011, 03:29 PM   #38
Member
 
eredinger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Northern California
Posts: 35
So after a crazy drive home with the 26BH I have come to a conclusion.

I believe the 26BH is to large/heavy with my gear for my TV. When I look at the 1548 lb max payload and do the math, I have around 595 dry hitch weight, 2 deepcycle battries 80 lbs, the 4 people 425, WDH 80 lbs, the 13-15% additional hitch weight from the gear loaded in the TT 175bs, generator and gear in the back of the truck 200lbs, Im roughly at 1,555 lbs. That puts me 7lbs over my payload of the TV. This does not include filling up the 2-45 gallon water tanks (720 lbs and additional 108 hitch weight) which I might never do.

My main consern is the safty of my family and it seems to me even if I change the P rated tires to LT, the TV is still at or beyon it limits and that would be a waist of $$$.
I know some others are using a 1/2 ton TV to pull the 26BH, but how can you not go over your max payload?

Do the numbers seem right? I'm looking at 3/4 trucks now.

Any advice is welcome!
__________________
2007 Dodge Big Horn Crew 5.7ltr
2011 Jayco 17z
eredinger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2011, 05:48 PM   #39
Site Team
 
Crabman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Virginia`s Eastern Shore
Posts: 17,091
This is the problem we all face with half tons, once the payload is exceeded large impressive tow ratings become moot, and many salesman go by the tow ratings of the vehicle when saying it can be pulled. I know I`m marginal also if not over. My only suggestion would be to load as lightly as possible, leave the genny home if practical, carry small amounts of water, upgrade tires and shocks, consider airbags or Timbrens, or as you are considering go to a 2500. Also weigh your rig to see just where you stand on weights.
__________________
2017 Coachmen Catalina 283RKS
2018 Ford F250 Super Duty 6.2l CCSB
2010 Jayflight 28BHS (sold)
Crabman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2011, 06:12 PM   #40
Senior Member
 
Denise's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Mostly the US
Posts: 10,002
Last month we towed to a c/g just an hour away. I was shocked at how mushy the ride was and how the rear of the truck bounced up and down. We actually had some sway.

Don and I thought we really screwed up packing. As it turned out, we had forgotten to add air to the tires (we keep them lower when not towing). We find that increasing the air in back tires to 50psi and 45psi in the front eliminates the mush and pretty no more bounce. Hope this helps somehow
__________________
Denise, DH, grandkids, and two rescue pups
-2016 Jay Flight 29QBS Elite
-2016 Ford F-250 XLT 4x2, 6.2L EFI V8, 4.30 Elec Lock, Heavy duty Alt
Denise is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Jayco, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:58 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2002-2016 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.