Hitching/weight distribution

[bighoss1982]

Hey there fellow campers, I have an important question, So I have a 2023 Chevy Silverado 1500 RST and my rig is a 2022 Jayce 25RB, where I bought my camper at they set up the hitching I bought a curt 17601 trutrack 2P, anyway it was leveled when we brought it home, we just went on our first trip this past weekend, and my truck was literally on the bump stops, so I started removing some weight from the bed and from the front storage and it gave me an inch-1.5inches, so my question is does anyone have the similar setup? I made some adjustments when I got home and I gained about 2inches but my truck should not squat that much, I have less than 700lbs in the front storage and less than 500lbs in my bed this trip and past trips, I Had a 35ft keystone outback that weighed 8K and my truck hardly squated. So any help would be great and pics as well.

 

[RangerRick17]

I don't have any experience with Curt so I can't comment about them! However, I have had two tt and now a 5th wheel with them I have had a set of air bags and that helps with the sag!
Other will comment about Timbrens to help with sag but in the end for it was the air bags that solved it for me!

 

[bighoss1982]

I don't have any experience with Curt so I can't comment about them! However, I have had two tt and now a 5th wheel with them I have had a set of air bags and that helps with the sag!
Other will comment about Timbrens to help with sag but in the end for it was the air bags that solved it for me!

With my old camper I had the bars and the chains, count the links then hook it, never had an issue out of that, but this new system I’m new to!, I had a buddy come over to help me me re-adjust it so I gained about an inch but still I shouldn’t drop 2-4inches!. But he did recommend airbags so I’m gonna talk with my camper dealer Thursday and have them look into it and see what they can adjust.

 

[JFlightRisk]

We don't have a Curt hitch either, but it should work for your trailer per the specs I see. I'm thinking the big difference is that the dealer set it up with an empty truck and trailer. Add roughly 1200 pounds to the equation, and now it's not set up as it should be. I had to start over with our hitch set up after our dealer installed it when we bought our TT, and it made a world of difference since both weren't stocked up for use.

Here's a quick video with the set-up procedure for your hitch, but if you decide to readjust it, do it as if your loaded up for a trip.

 

[bighoss1982]

We don't have a Curt hitch either, but it should work for your trailer per the specs I see. I'm thinking the big difference is that the dealer set it up with an empty truck and trailer. Add roughly 1200 pounds to the equation, and now it's not set up as it should be. I had to start over with our hitch set up after our dealer installed it when we bought our TT, and it made a world of difference since both weren't stocked up for use.

Here's a quick video with the set-up procedure for your hitch, but if you decide to readjust it, do it as if your loaded up for a trip.

Thank you for the advice/tip!! I’ll definitely check out that video

 

[Velz]

I've had two Curts for different trailers. The key to adjusting weight distribution was in the easily adjustable ball tilt after measuring tongue height with a level trailer. The manual explains the process in detail. I never had more than an inch difference in front and rear wheel well height with a Tahoe with 7400 max pounds in trailer weight. (My Tahoe is rated for 8100 pounds towing capacity.) I do not travel with a full water tank, just 5 or so gallons for those quick road rest stops. I found the Curt the easiest hitch to adjust of any I've had.

 

[bighoss1982]

I've had two Curts for different trailers. The key to adjusting weight distribution was in the easily adjustable ball tilt after measuring tongue height with a level trailer. The manual explains the process in detail. I never had more than an inch difference in front and rear wheel well height with a Tahoe with 7400 max pounds in trailer weight. (My Tahoe is rated for 8100 pounds towing capacity.) I do not travel with a full water tank, just 5 or so gallons for those quick road rest stops. I found the Curt the easiest hitch to adjust of any I've had.

 

[bighoss1982]

This is how it looks now after some adjustments a few days ago, i have roughly 50-65lbs of wood in the front of the bed and front storage of the camper is loaded with 350-425lbs give or take

 

[Velz]

Hard to tell from the photos, but it looks pretty good. What are the measurements at the trailer frame front and rear, and what are the measurements at the truck wheel wells hitched and unhitched? 350 to 425 lbs of weight (700 in your original post!) in the front storage seems a bit much to me. A considerable percentage of that will contribute to hitch weight. Maybe redistribute that?

 

[bighoss1982]

31 front of camper at side storage, 31.75 at rear side door. I attached a pic of measurements before and after the first adjustment then another one after another adjustment.

Hard to tell from the photos, but it looks pretty good. What are the measurements at the trailer frame front and rear, and what are the measurements at the truck wheel wells hitched and unhitched? 350 to 425 lbs of weight (700 in your original post!) in the front storage seems a bit much to me. A considerable percentage of that will contribute to hitch weight. Maybe redistribute that?

 

[Velz]

Refer to the advice and install video JFlightRisk posted. Simply adjusting the shank bar up or down won't complete weight distribution, you need to also adjust the tilt of the head. It makes a big difference.

 

[mattfahey]

Your best option may be to visit the scales to see how things are distributed at this point, and adjust as needed to get more weight to the front axles.

 

[tneubauer]

I installed and love the Hensley hitch. It is weight distribution and sway prevention all in one. It is pricey, but well worth it in my opinion. There is a learning curve when unhitching but well worth it. Minimal squat, even with a full truck bed. Driving through strong winds is not a problem either. The weight distribution is easily adjustable as well.

 

[bighoss1982]

Refer to the advice and install video JFlightRisk posted. Simply adjusting the shank bar up or down won't complete weight distribution, you need to also adjust the tilt of the head. It makes a big difference.

Well I had to take my camper back to the dealer last week for some warranty work, I expressed my concerns about the hitch and when I picked it up yesterday they adjusted my L brackets on the A-frame down so the bars are leveled with the frame but far as the head goes there’s nothing they can do!, so they recommend air bags so did my buddies so guess what, I ordered a set of bags and compressor kit off amazon so hopefully that will help and work.