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Old 03-16-2016, 10:08 PM   #41
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The link plates bend like that when over torqued. It looks like you are going to need new ones if they are all that bent.


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Old 03-23-2016, 09:04 PM   #42
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So my question is this, (I have a husky weight distribution hitch with the round bars and the chains.) When you transfer weight from the tongue to the vehicle drive axle, are you also transferring weight back to the trailer axles? This is something I really don't want to do as my axle load is already where I want it. I have a 860 pounds of tongue weight which I can easily handle on the TV. I don't want to transfer any of that back to my trailer axle if possible.
The idea is to distribute the load of the trailer evenly to the entire tow vehicle and trailer wheels. ..
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Old 03-23-2016, 09:23 PM   #43
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Excerpt:

A weight distribution system is important because it eases the situation by spreading some of that increased tongue weight off the rear axle of the tow vehicle and onto the front axle, as well as the axle (or axles) of the trailer. With that leverage, everything balances out and driving performance increases dramatically.


From Here:

Purpose of Towing Weight Distribution Systems - How Towing Weight Distribution Systems Work | HowStuffWorks
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Old 03-23-2016, 11:20 PM   #44
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Excerpt:

A weight distribution system is important because it eases the situation by spreading some of that increased tongue weight off the rear axle of the tow vehicle and onto the front axle, as well as the axle (or axles) of the trailer. With that leverage, everything balances out and driving performance increases dramatically.


From Here:

Purpose of Towing Weight Distribution Systems - How Towing Weight Distribution Systems Work | HowStuffWorks
Thanks, that's great info.
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Old 03-24-2016, 01:42 PM   #45
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I have a 2011 frontier sv cc and am considering selling my popup and going with a rockwood mini lite 2109s.do you ever feel underpowered? need more truck or less camper.

We have a 2014 Frontier and tow a Roo 21DK with no problem


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Old 05-30-2016, 04:02 PM   #46
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I towed a 2502ks mini lite it grossed at 6500lbs with a v6 Tacoma. I used a Equalizer II with 1200 lb trunnions. I towed it 375 to 400 miles one way with no issues other than frequent stops for fuel. I also had to adjust the WDH after installation. That first trip was a white knuckler for sure. After making adjustments it was completely different. I will never ever trust someone else to set up my rig again. You drive it, it's your responsibility to make sure it's roadworthy.
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Old 06-21-2016, 01:27 PM   #47
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The more I read the more i am sure mine is not set up as well. I have a 2017 grey wolf and about flattened the right side drag bar. Plenty of truck to pull it but I think the way they set it up I was hanging low in the back for sure. Great thread here. Look forward to more comments.
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Old 06-21-2016, 09:07 PM   #48
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It definitely can be a challenge to get it right. The key for me was getting enough drop to level the trailer. I've got it now however. You can see my camper and truck in this short video that it's level. I'm a little heavy on the rear of the truck but can't go down anymore on the shank. IMO, it's just about perfect. Skip forward to my truck. https://youtu.be/lQZELcg6B-A
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Old 08-05-2016, 08:27 AM   #49
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Thank you all for the great info posted here. I'm going through some of the same issues and have found a lot of great info in these threads. We went from a 29BH with one slide to a 32 BHDS that is easily a foot taller and 1,000 lb heavier. Dealer set up the hitch and kid looked about 20. "Yep looks level". With the 29 I really barely knew it was back there. With the 32, it was white knuckle until I raised the Equalizer L bracket one notch. Now it's more stable but the nose of the TT sits up a little, which I think is why I now get a push from cars passing me while before it was just trucks and wind. I'm looking for a scale but in the meantime I'm going to measure everything per the instruction book and probably lower my ball one notch. EQ bars aren't perpendicular with trailer frame either. So, moral is as many have stated, get to know your hitch sooner rather than later and do it yourself.
Thanks to all who have posted previously.
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Old 08-06-2016, 06:38 AM   #50
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I went through this exact same scenario with the initial dealer WDH setup. If there is a negative to raising the L-brackets- it is putting the sway bars on higher but do it anyways. I use an extra couple of 2x6's under the bottom of the electric jack to help raise it a bit higher. It is a relaxing drive/tow now. Solid tracking and zero sway.
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Old 08-10-2016, 07:43 PM   #51
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Here is how the TT and TV looks when properly adjusted.

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Old 03-10-2017, 05:22 PM   #52
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We purchased our Rockwood 2905SS last year this is the first travel trailer that we have owned. The dealer installed an E2 WDH. I told the salesman and the install tech that our 2016 Ford Expedition had a load leveling rear suspension. Neither of them seemed to have a clue how this affects the WDH setup. I did a lot of research prior to picking up the trailer and had concluded that I would let them attempt the install and I would fix it on my own when I got home. As I left the dealership it was barely drivable. I went straight to the scales and discovered the was no weight transfer.

I watched the tech tighten all of the fasteners on the E2 using a 3/8" ratchet I measured the break away torque on the main hitch bolts at 45 ft lbs. the spec is 250 ft lbs.
In the automotive industry this would result in a product recall. I doubt the tech even owns a torque wrench.

I hope my experience isn't typical but I fear it maybe.
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Old 03-10-2017, 05:27 PM   #53
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Thats typical. Our current dealer has two towing guys that know their stuff. We used the CAT scale to setup our wdh up. Maybe five weighings and adjustments. Pulls like a dream. They said about 80% of the hitches that come in to that dealership are not properly adjusted.
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Old 03-10-2017, 05:36 PM   #54
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Thats typical. Our current dealer has two towing guys that know there stuff. We used the CAT scale to setup our wdh up. Maybe five weighings and adjustments. Pulls like a dream. They said about 80% of the hitches that come in to that dealership are not properly adjusted.


It seems to me that a truly conscientious dealer would have portable truck scales along with the appropriate torque wrenches to be able to install a WDH to the manufacturer's specifications. With the right tools it's not a guessing game. I ended up making two more trips to the scales before I was done.
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Old 03-10-2017, 06:04 PM   #55
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They said what happens a lot is people lower the brackets to make it easier to put the torsion bars on after they leave the dealership even when they do get it setup properly at the dealer. You will read folks doing that on here and claiming it rides better. You normally need to block it higher when you unhitch so that it can be raised enough to put the bars on where they really need to be. lol
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Old 03-10-2017, 06:36 PM   #56
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It seems to me that a truly conscientious dealer would have portable truck scales ....
That'll never happen and IMO is not necessary either. The dealer should set it up properly based on fender measurements. But I agree they should have a proper torque wrench.

Remember that when you pick it up from the dealer it will be empty. Once you load your 700 - 1000# of cargo it needs to be adjusted. The problem is that many dealers' techs have no idea how to setup a WDH and are too lazy to read the instructions.

I bought my Roo used from a private seller and had a local dealer do the setup on the Equalizer that came with it. It was my first trailer with a WDH. They did an awesome job. I bought my current TT used from a different dealer and had them install a brand new Equalizer that I bought from RVW. One of the 2 techs they had doing the install didn't know what he was doing and didn't read the instructions. He started to over torque the bolts on the brackets and they started bending until I told him to stop and showed him the proper torque in the instructions. The drive home wasn't bad but I knew it could be better. I had to completely redo the setup after I loaded all our gear in it.
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Old 03-10-2017, 06:43 PM   #57
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IMHO, that's too much trailer for the E2. The dealer should have installed and E4 Equal-i-zer.
That long of a trailer needs the 4 points, not just two. Especially with a soft suspension SUV.
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Old 03-15-2017, 06:07 PM   #58
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Well the up side is the Expedition was a company vehicle and I turned that in on a 2017 F1 50 with the Towmax package. I agree it did have a soft suspension. I haven't set the hitch up yet for the pickup. I am hoping for a more stable towing experience. The F150 will be my last company lease vehicle and I will have it till October then I will have to purchase a new tow vehicle. I'm trying to decide whether I will get a 150 or 250. The problem is the 250 won't fit in my garage.
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Old 03-15-2017, 06:43 PM   #59
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I've heard that concern about fitting the truck in the garage before and I just don't get it. My F-250 is parked outside in my driveway year round here in Ontario, Canada and our weather is similar to yours in Michigan. Don't let that make you hesitate getting a taller, longer vehicle if you think the F-150 is not adequate. I guarantee the F-250 will be a noticeably better towing experience with the 2905SS.
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Old 03-15-2017, 07:31 PM   #60
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As someone who bought the 150 to fit in the garage...get the 250 and the remote start so the tow will be better amd you have room to upgrade later.

As for original post. I had dealer setup wd hitch and had to swap the hitch due to a grease fitting breaking on it. It was not torqued at all. I gave them the measurements and numbers for all bolts and they just said yea.

To be fair I would expect that even when they do it right people don't adjust them when they change the weight. I redid mine 3 times before I was happy because of gear weight and balancing changes. When it is wrong things get scarry. So even a good dealer will get you home but once you load her up its on you.
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