How To Set Up A Weight Distribution Hitch

How to Setup a Weight Distributing Hitch

by Contributor

When a trailer is hitched to a tow vehicle, the tongue weight typically causes the rear of the tow vehicle to lower and the front end to raise. The purpose of a weight distributing hitch is to remove excessive weight from the tow vehicle's rear axle and distribute it to the front wheels and the trailer wheels.

Here's how to fix this type of system upwards properly to ensure a safe towing experience.

Footstep 1

The offset step is to accept some simple measurements. This will assistance united states during the adjustment steps. First by lining up the tow vehicle and trailer on level basis, in a straight ahead position, with the trailer uncoupled. Measure out and write downwards the uncoupled height at the front and rear wheel openings to the ground, and the level trailer coupler acme (run across image).

Step 2

Set the unloaded brawl height on the tow vehicle hitch head near 1/2" to i" lower than the trailer coupler measurement from Stride 1. This can be accomplished past moving the hitch head upwards or down in the holes of the hitch shank. Information technology may be necessary to flip the shank over to achieve the correct elevation (run into image). The exact amount volition depend on how potent the suspension of your tow vehicle is.

Pace iii

Side by side, lower the trailer coupler onto the hitch ball and close coupler latch. Using the tongue jack, raise the trailer coupler and the rear of the tow vehicle 3" at the ball.

Stride four

Insert the bound bars into hitch head sockets. With the lift unit (see paradigm) in the raised position, pull straight up firmly on spring bar chain. Annotation which link is closest to chain hook. Countdown 2 links and that link will be used for hook up.

Footstep 5

Attach the upper end of the chain link to lift unit claw, while allowing remaining free links to fall down to the outside of the trailer frame (run across epitome). Swing the lift unit into position past pushing up on the elevator unit hook with the lift handle. Ensure there are at least half-dozen links between the lift unit of measurement and the spring bar. This is necessary for proper operation of the spring bars during turns.

Footstep 6

If there are less than half dozen links between the lift unit and spring bar, the angle of the head assembly (the shank and the caput) must be increased. To accomplish this, the trailer must be uncoupled and the upper commodities removed from the caput associates. Pin the head assembly downwards and add a washer underneath the spacer pivot, located in the aqueduct between the caput unit and the shank (see image). Reinstall the upper caput assembly bolt but don't tighten it yet. Tighten the bending prepare bolt to 50 lb. ft. Now tighten the upper head assembly bolt to 250 lb. ft.

Footstep vii

Follow Steps iii, 4, and 5 again, checking to make sure there are at least half-dozen links betwixt the elevator unit of measurement and the spring bar. Follow Pace 6 again if you still cannot obtain the 6 links necessary and echo this step again. Otherwise, continue to Stride 8.

Step eight

If everything is prepare up correctly, the tow vehicle will settle downwards evenly, front and rear. Compare the coupled tiptop measurements at the forepart and rear bike openings to the ground with the measurements taken during Step 1. If front settles lower than rear, increase the number of chain links betwixt lift unit and spring bar. If rear settles excessively lower than forepart, decrease the number of concatenation links betwixt lift unit of measurement and leap bars. You lot should be able to get within i/2 inch both front and rear. Ensure there are always at least six links between the lift unit and the spring bar.

In one case you have obtained the optimum adjustments, check the post-obit: the pin and clip securing the shank to receiver, the head to shank fasteners, brawl nut, coupler latch, lift unit of measurement bolts, safety bondage, lights and turn signals, and braking system, including breakaway switch if equipped. Test drive the combination. Endeavor to get a experience for how the load feels during normal dispatch, cornering, and braking. Information technology should experience stable under these weather, with no abnormal bouncing or vague steering feel. If not, run into the tips below for some suggestions.

Tips

• Note: For vehicles with air springs, air shocks, or automatic leveling systems, check the vehicle owner'southward manual. Level the vehicle with the vehicle loaded as information technology will exist when towing. Deactivate load leveling arrangement before coupling trailer and adjusting spring confined.
• Remove hitch head from towing vehicle receiver when not towing. This will forbid contamination of head pockets, reduce take chances of striking hitch head on driveway ramps or other objects, and minimize harm in upshot of a rear-end standoff.
• If the steering feels light or less responsive during towing, ensure that the rear of the tow vehicle is no more than 1" beneath the coupled height of the front as measured in pace 8. Re-adjust the hitch to obtain the appropriate measurements.
• It may not be possible to get the tow vehicle and trailer perfectly level with respect to each other. If not, favor the front of the trailer to be slightly lower. This will add some tongue weight and provide more than clearance at the back of the trailer.
• Before you hitch up, place a lilliputian flake of heavy grease in the spring bar pockets and on the hitch brawl. This will help forbid excessive vesture and rusting of these components.
• E'er make sure both the tow vehicle and trailer tires are properly inflated before towing.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Newspaper and pencil
• 1/2" torque wrench
• one 1/4" i/2" bulldoze socket
• 3/four" 1/two" bulldoze socket
• 1 1/4" box wrench
• 3/4" box wrench
• A level surface area for tow vehicle and trailer

Warnings

• Caution: Failure to connect the spring bar chain correctly and provide at to the lowest degree half-dozen links between lift unit of measurement and spring bar tin result in damage to the lift unit of measurement.
• COUPLED Ball Pinnacle SHOULD NEVER Exist GREATER THAN UNCOUPLED BALL HEIGHT. Front wheel overload and loss of rear wheel traction tin issue. This can pb to unstable handling, reduced braking power, and a trend to "jackknife" when turning. This may consequence in vehicle accident, property damage and personal injury.
• Never exceed the tow vehicles load capacity or tow ratings. Excessive drive train wear and/or loss of control may result.

Author Bio

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