Weight Distribution Adjustment?

[pwryan]

When towing, my truck "feels" a bit light in the front. Is this indicative of a possible improper adjustment of my weight distribution hitch? Not enough tension or too much?

 

[Need A Vacation]

Ryan,

It is possible you need to readjust the wdh. Best thing to do is check your setup. Follow the wdh how to link in my signature for info on checking your setup.

If possible, when loaded up for your next trip stop by a CAT Scale and weigh your rig as explained in the CAT Scale how to. You will want 3 seperate weights, preferably will all the normal passengers that travel with you in the tv.

Hope this helps.

 

[bansai]

Not sure what kind of hitch you have, if it's an equal-izer, you can add an additional washer to the hitch head to increase the weight on the front of your truck, or you can raise the brackets that are attached to the A arm of your trailer... Possible problem with this approach is it can make it a LOT harder to connect the spring arms. I learned this the hard way yesterday.

 

[pwryan]

I've got a Blue Ox sway pro system.

 

[bansai]

Cool, I unfortunately don't know how to adjust that style of hitch. I'm sure someone else will chime in.

 

[ALJO]

Go to their website and get an instruction manual.........it is as simply as that.

 

[pwryan]

Thanks Aljo. I know how to adjust it, just wondered what some with perhaps more experience think as far as which way I should adjust it. I'll double check the manual too.

 

[ryounglewis]

Our dealer didn't show us how to properly hook up with a Blue OX hitch. Please look up a video online it will save you mounds of grief, sweat and frustration. Once we figured out how to properly hook up life is a dream...and we live in the WV mountains

 

[pwryan]

Do you have a link to the video or a way for me to locate the one you're referring to?

 

[ryounglewis]

My husband just reminded me it wasn't a video. I found the solution on a post. Hook up your trailer just as you would, meaning back up drop the trailer onto the ball, then lock the hitch then raise the trailer, hook up the sway bars, then lower the trailer.

 

[Rustic Eagle]

Do you have a link to the video or a way for me to locate the one you're referring to?

This may help: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=blue+ox+sway+pro

Bob

 

[gcloss]

I've got a Blue Ox sway pro system.

I have the Blue Ox Sway Proper as well. Assuming you have the correct spring bars for the weight of your trailer, the only adjustments are in the chains and rotating latches. Blue Ox recommends you have 3 full links showing at the bottom of the rotating latch.

 

[pwryan]

Thanks. Yup, that's what I do. Thanks again for your reply.

 

[gav upton]

I had exactly the same issue on my last trip, found that once you have the trailer hitched without the spring bars, using the tongue jack, physically lift the back of the truck 1inch above where the tongue starts to bear down on hitch, then install spring bars, then let full weight on hitch, I found this method put more weight evenly across both axles of truck, and it didn't feel like I had lost any steering control, front end firmly planted on ground

 

[dewey02]

I had exactly the same issue on my last trip, found that once you have the trailer hitched without the spring bars, using the tongue jack, physically lift the back of the truck 1inch above where the tongue starts to bear down on hitch, then install spring bars, then let full weight on hitch, I found this method put more weight evenly across both axles of truck, and it didn't feel like I had lost any steering control, front end firmly planted on ground

Interesting.
I'm not sure how doing that would do anything to redistribute the weight more evenly across the axles any differently than not using the tongue jack. It is the weight distribution bars themselves that shift the weight to the front axle of the tow vehicle and to the axles of the trailer.

I thought the only reason to use the tongue jack to lift the trailer and tow vehicle was to make the bars much easier to snap into place. It certainly does make it easier.

 

[pwryan]

I think that's right yes. I actually adjusted the spring bars up one link to see what would happen. Very windy day so hard to compare. I didn't lose the camper though! Not a fun ride by any means.

 

[suzhou]

Just went through the same issue with my TV - front end felt light and not firmly planted on the road, even after adjusting my WD setup. Discovered that while I was well within my towing capacity for the TV (2014 F150 Platinum Super Crew) I was at the max for my load capacity. Ended up getting a new TV with higher load capacity to fix the problem. Check your load capacity (sticker inside the driver door) and weigh your TT tongue. Long post here on my journey at:

http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f7/gvwr-gcwr-confused-38178.html

 

[FashaPa]

lue OX Sway Pro

I also have the Blue OX. I find if you use the chains to adjust you will find a difference in your front axle feel. The video on their web page was informative. My dealer told me go 5 links. The video says go 9 links. I went to 7 and it made a huge difference.
Good Luck

 

[pwryan]

Thanks much. I was at 9 and actually went to 10 based upon what I saw in their site. Still experimenting!