Propane tanks are in the way

[johngoat2002]

I recently got a wdh upon hooking it up I noticed that the propane tank bracket is in the way of the frame bracket of the hitch. I know it's important to keep the chains as perpendicular to the ground as possible. Has anyone come in contact with problem before and how did you fix it?

Thanks in advance.


2005 Flagstaff FS26
2006 GMC Sierra Denali 6.0L

[Platokidd]

What kind of wdh and who did the install.
Can you re-position the propane tanks ?

[youroo]

Need a lot more Info,What # and type WDH plus a PIC> of the setup so far will Help us with this prob! Youroo!!

[johngoat2002]

I installed it. It's a 14000# Curt wdh. Stay tuned for a pic. The tanks themselves aren't in the way, the mount that is welded to the frame is in the way. Cutting and rewelding may be an option.


2005 Flagstaff FS26
2006 GMC Sierra Denali 6.0L

[Jim in Halifax]

what is a "wdh"?

[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by Jim in Halifax

what is a "wdh"?

Weight Distribution Hitch.

[Platokidd]

What-Da-Heck
Now the towing forums make sense..Lol

[teddy]

Hi.
We really do need more information about your hitch etc.
I have the Reese round bar WDH with the dual cam system. I also had problems getting the chains perpendicular as you say. In my case, the tray that the propane tanks sit on was in the way of the brackets. I was able to unscrew the tray and move it far enough to allow for proper location of the chain brackets.

In doing some research on my problem, I found that Reese offers some alternative brackets that require less clearance on the frame. I did not like these because it seemed that they would make hitching and unhitching more difficult. But I never really inquired into how they worked exactly.

I recommend you call the help line for the hitch manufacturer. It's always better to talk to the experts than sift through all the information on the web. I spoke to the technical staff at Reese several times when installing my hitch. I found Reese to be extremely helpful and patient with me. I was able to correctly install my hitch and travel 18,000 mile across country without a single problem.

[johngoat2002]

Here are the pics of the mount. Sorry it took so long. It looks like the mount is centered directly over the chain.


2005 Flagstaff FS26
2006 GMC Sierra Denali 6.0L

[teddy]

Thanks for the pics. It's still difficult to see what's going on there. Do you think it's possible to move the propane mount to a location that will work for the hitch as well as be functional for the propane? If so that may be your answer.
Again, I would call the hitch manufacturer. They may have a different style bracket that will solve your problem.

[Platokidd]

Do you have a zoomed out pic? If the tv is in straight inline the chains should be straight up and down. Just a thought...Can you take back that hitch and get a Equal-i-zer 4-Point? IMO its a better hitch as well.

[johngoat2002]

The more I look at it, the more I think I'll have to move the mount for the tanks or make a new one. If the mount was adjustable I could possibly do that, but it's welded to the frame.


2005 Flagstaff FS26
2006 GMC Sierra Denali 6.0L

[gashog]

this might be totally off the wall, but I would contact CURT and show them your pictures and ask if you can re-drilling the holes in the bars to move the chain attach point forward where the chains hang vertical. I'm assuming you have the same problem on the other side. If this is acceptable I would think you would attach to the 4th link and have 3 hanging instead of 5th link with 4 hanging as you currently are doing.

With the way they are now, when you make a right hand turn thing aren't going to be pretty..

[johngoat2002]

I'm going to say that they will tell me not to do that for "safety reasons". Good idea though.


2005 Flagstaff FS26
2006 GMC Sierra Denali 6.0L

[campr-pete]

My set up is very similar to yours and the last 2 trailers that I have owned were the same way. I found that mine was more of the tank cover and not the tanks so I just pull the cover up until I set the top latch and then slide the cover back down mine was flexible enough to go back in place.

[johngoat2002]

Originally Posted by campr-pete

My set up is very similar to yours and the last 2 trailers that I have owned were the same way. I found that mine was more of the tank cover and not the tanks so I just pull the cover up until I set the top latch and then slide the cover back down mine was flexible enough to go back in place.

Was the chain orientation similar as well?


2005 Flagstaff FS26
2006 GMC Sierra Denali 6.0L

[campr-pete]

Originally Posted by johngoat2002

Was the chain orientation similar as well?

.
2005 Flagstaff FS26
2006 GMC Sierra Denali 6.0L

yes very similar I was able to straighten them once I lifted the tank cover first.

2014 coachmen liberty express 433rlds
2015 Chevrolet Silverado3500hd dually

[johngoat2002]

Long overdue update:

This is the modification I did. I moved the tanks to the front of the tongue and the battery just behind the tanks. Because the tanks are now in the way of the jack I purchased an electric jack ( good excuse). This now allows me to center the wdh chains over the hook properly.


2005 Flagstaff FS26
2006 GMC Sierra Denali 6.0L

[thebrakeman]

Very nice solution. Love the blue tanks, and even more the excuse to get an electric jack!

If the battery can be moved to 1 side, you could now install some sort of storage box for tools, gloves, stabilizer crank, etc.