Tips for setting up a weight distribution hitch?
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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7553
Printed Date: 03 May 2024 at 5:37pm
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Topic: Tips for setting up a weight distribution hitch?
Posted By: TheBum
Subject: Tips for setting up a weight distribution hitch?
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2016 at 12:30pm
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After posting photos of my 179 and TV on the Facebook group page, it was recommended by several people that I needed to get a WDH because the back-end of my TV was sagging a bit.
So, I have a WDH now (an Eaz-Lift eLite 600) and I think I understand the basic ideas about setting it up from the manual. I know I should set it up with the trailer loaded with the cargo it will normally have when traveling, but what's the best way to set it up to account for varying liquid weights in the tanks? How much does the tongue weight change? I'm getting ready for my first outing in a little over a week and this single task is stressing me out. |
Replies:
Posted By: grand beaver
Date Posted: 11 Mar 2016 at 6:43pm
Don't sweat the small stuff friend!.....depending on your TV the WDH will be an improvement over stock any way you set it up. Put a reasonable load in both the TV and the trailer when adjusting the spring bars and you will be fine. I just installed a Fasteway E2/600 on my 179 and it was not bad at all. Follow the instructions which will probably include lifting the back of the TV with the hitch attached to the ball with the tongue jack making it easy to install some tension on the spring bars. Try and keep the spring bars parallel to the frame and you should be pleased. Unless your towing with an extremely small TV in high winds, down steep grades or at high speeds these lightweight trailers should tow great......Good Luck...... 
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Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 11 Mar 2016 at 8:42pm
I must take exception to this phrase. An improperly adjusted WDH can be more dangerous than no WDH. If the WDH overcompensates it can take weight off the rear TV axle, leading to disaster. Read the instructions, understand the instructions, and proceed with caution. A properly installed and adjusted WDH can be a great improvement to towing safety and comfort. ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 11 Mar 2016 at 11:09pm
| Thanks. I intend to check the wheel well heights before and after the install and make sure they drop within an inch of the same amount. I do have some cargo adjustments I can make, with two 50-lb generators and a 10x10 canopy as well as some items I normally carry in the TV, and I bought a hitch scale to make sure I don't overload or underload the hitch. |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2016 at 8:59am
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The newest guidance is to try to only recover 1/2 - 3/4 of the drop at the rear wheel wells. Too much tension on the spring bars can put too much stress on the hitch and trailer frame and border on dangerous. As long as you get sufficient weight back on the front TV axle you've done the job.
------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2016 at 5:16pm
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Is it normal to see some flexing of the bar? I purposely didn't grossly overrate the WDH. My TV's max spec tongue weight is 500 lbs and the WDH is rated at 600. Should I back off on the tension, either by moving another link out on the chain or tilting the ball forward a little?
I assume you should ideally adjust the tilt of the ball to keep the bars parallel to the A-frame until you've achieved the desired distribution. |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2016 at 6:58pm
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Yes, it is normal to see the bars flex. The WDH is not doing anything if the bars do not flex. The WDH need only put most of the weight removed from the front axle back on the front axle. That is it's primary function. Removing weight from the TV rear axle is a secondary benefit. Due to the geometry of the hitch placement relative to the rear axle both effects occur simultaneously (engineer speak...sorry). Yes, the bars should be parallel to the TT frame if possible, but this is less important for WDHs using chains because they don't rely on bar loading for sway control. Tilt of the ball is used to control bar angle. The last adjustment to be made is ball height and is made to achieve level or slightly tongue down attitude of the trailer.
------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2016 at 9:51pm
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This is the best WDH-adjustment tutorial I've seen. I used it to dial in my Dual Cam: http://www.rv.net/FORUM/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/17730894.cfm - http://www.rv.net/FORUM/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/17730894.cfm
------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 13 Mar 2016 at 9:11pm
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Thanks, all. Setup is finished. I measured the front and back wheel well heights without anything trailer-related on the TV. After I hitched up the trailer, I checked the wheel well heights on the same section of pavement. The front wheel well height was exactly as before (32-15/16") but the rear end dropped about 5/8".
We drove Boom&Bake from storage to Walmart and back, a little over 5 miles each way. My wife drove the first leg and commented about how well it drove. She was having a little problem with the trailer swaying in the strong winds, so I tightened up the sway bar for the return trip, which I drove. The trailer towed much more nicely than with the original hitch and the sway was gone. Other than a reduction in acceleration, I could hardly tell a trailer was attached. |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 13 Mar 2016 at 9:34pm
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Did you have everything loaded up like you were going on a trip? ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 13 Mar 2016 at 10:34pm
| Yep. Fresh water full, generators inside the trailer door, and the back end of the TV with a typical load. |