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Old 07-26-2013, 01:04 AM   #1
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Too many numbers

I have been searching, googling, reading a bunch and went from totally ignorant to totally ignorant and totally confused! Looking to adjust my weight distribution hitch for better towing. Was going to start by visiting the scale to get some numbers to ensure I have the correct hitch. Assuming I do have the correct hitch I am wanting to set it up correctly.

Question for the scale. I was going to weigh with my current dealer set up.
Front TV axle
Back axle
Total vehicle
Then tongue only

Then weigh again with wdh on a tighter chain link setting
Front TV axle
Back axle

I want to verify my GVRC, ABC, and XYZ numbers jive with the recommendations.
Then I want to continue to try to find an owners manual or info online on how to properly set up the hitch to maximize my TV to tow my trailer.

Does any of this look accurate or am I still way off?
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Old 07-26-2013, 08:35 AM   #2
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Yep- those are essentially the numbers that you want to get. On the scales, you likely can't weigh the "tongue only". You get that by a little math.

When weighing a TT, you do 3 weightings:
1) Truck and trailer with WDH engaged
2) Truck and trailer with WDH bars in the truck bed
3) Truck only with the WDH bars with the trailer
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Old 07-26-2013, 08:53 AM   #3
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http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...rks-21385.html

or

How To Weigh | CAT Scale

Travel Trailer Weight Calculator

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ide-39444.html
Attached Files
File Type: pdf Weigh Your RV - Bridgestone.pdf (447.2 KB, 26 views)
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Old 07-26-2013, 09:09 AM   #4
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Great info and links. This subject is confusing me too. I don't have any issues towing my trailer (that I know of) but want to make sure I am not to heavy or light anywhere for sure.

I should have close to everything loaded that I will typically be carrying in a couple weeks. Then off to the local Blue Beacon for a wash and weigh.
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Old 07-26-2013, 10:26 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bryan2503S View Post
I should have close to everything loaded that I will typically be carrying in a couple weeks. Then off to the local Blue Beacon for a wash and weigh.
Does the Blue Beacon have sectioned scales like CAT scales ?? If so, make sure each truck axle are on separate sections, and both trailer axles (together) are on another section. This should give you good readings.
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Old 07-26-2013, 10:30 AM   #6
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no clue, but the Blue Beacon comes up on the CAT website and being an official CAT scale. Thanks for the tip tho. I need all the help I can get.
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Old 07-26-2013, 10:50 AM   #7
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no clue, but the Blue Beacon comes up on the CAT website and being an official CAT scale. Thanks for the tip tho. I need all the help I can get.
I think all CAT scales have sectioned platforms.....you should be good to go.
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Old 07-26-2013, 01:58 PM   #8
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Thanks for the links Herk and the info Epen
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Old 07-27-2013, 05:58 PM   #9
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Ok so I did some measurements and visited the scale. I am sure this has been hashed out before but looking for any advice at all.

Tow Vehicle unloaded

Hitch 19.5"
Front 21.5" reference to top of fender
Rear 22" reference to top of fender

Loaded no WD hitch

Hitch 16"
Front 22"
Rear 20"

4 links on the WD hitch
Hitch 17"
Front 20 3/4"
Rear WD 20 1/4"

5 links
Hitch 18"
Front 20 1/2"
Rear 20 1/2"

Weights

4 links on the chain
Front 3240lbs
Rear 8620lbs

5 links on the chain
Front 3320lbs
Rear 8600lbs

Truck and trailer
Total 16040

Truck only
7140

Trailer only
8900

Tongue only
1140

In looking at the numbers above I am seeing that I need to be on the 5th link correct?


My torsion bars are rated at 1000lbs. So my first step I guess is to upgrade to ones with a higher rating. I neglected to measure the front and rear trailer heights so I will do that after I get new bars so I can work on the hitch set up.
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Old 07-27-2013, 08:09 PM   #10
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Seems like you're dropping the front end quite a bit. First things first....replace the bars then do it again (the adjustment, not the weight). At almost 200 lbs. over the bar rating, they're probably bending too much. I'm willing to bet that, with bars rated at between 1000 - 1400, the rear won't squat near as much with the same number of links and you'll actually have to back off on the tension to bring the front back up.
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Old 07-27-2013, 08:35 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by simplyrwc View Post
Weights

4 links on the chain
Front 3240lbs
Rear 8620lbs

5 links on the chain
Front 3320lbs
Rear 8600lbs

Truck and trailer
Total 16040

Truck only
7140

Trailer only
8900

Tongue only
1140

In looking at the numbers above I am seeing that I need to be on the 5th link correct?


My torsion bars are rated at 1000lbs. So my first step I guess is to upgrade to ones with a higher rating. I neglected to measure the front and rear trailer heights so I will do that after I get new bars so I can work on the hitch set up.
The weights for your rear axle can't be right...they're more than the total truck. Do you have a front/rear axle weight of the truck alone?

By your measurements, it looks like the 5 link set-up is the way to go. I am surprised that the front height came down that much with the bars loaded. Perhaps using 1200 or 1400 lb bars may change that...they would stiffen the ride which would be beneficial.

Dave
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Old 07-27-2013, 09:15 PM   #12
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The rear axle numbers are WITH the trailer attached.
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Old 07-27-2013, 10:47 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave_Monica View Post

The weights for your rear axle can't be right...they're more than the total truck. Do you have a front/rear axle weight of the truck alone?

Dave
Dave your right. Sorry, I neglected to do the math the rear weight is that number minus the front axle.

So it would be...

5280

And

5380
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Old 07-28-2013, 10:22 AM   #14
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By those numbers the weight added to the truck is 1460 - 1480 lbs which would account for tongue weight, weight of the hitch/bars and anything else you may have added with people/cargo from the weighing of 7140 lbs. It's also interesting to note that although you moved 80 lbs more to the front axle by changing 1 link, you didn't transfer more weight to the camper's axles as the total truck weight remained (relatively) the same.

Dave
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Old 07-29-2013, 04:55 PM   #15
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So I was ambled to negotiate with the dealer to upgrade my hitch to a 1400lb set up. Will pick up tomorrow and see what kind of difference that makes.

Not sure how I missed it but there is a similar current thread describing almost the same thing(Roo propoising). Sorry for the repeat thread but thanks for all the help!
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Old 07-31-2013, 12:55 AM   #16
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Ok so I got a 1400lb set of bars/hitch and I immediately noticed a stiffer drive with a lot more control. After some measuring this is what I got...

1400lb bar measurements

Unloaded

Hitch 19 1/2"
Front 21 1/2"
Rear 22"

Loaded no bars
Hitch 16 1/2"(not sure why I got a half inch difference here, maybe bad measurement the first time?)
Front axle 22"
Rear axle 20"

2 links
Hitch 18 1/2"
Front 21 1/4"
Rear 20 3/4"

3 links
Hitch 19 1/4"
Front 21 1/8"
Rear 21"


Didn't notice a huge difference driving with either 2 or 3 links.
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Old 07-31-2013, 12:58 AM   #17
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Here is the new bars/hitch, the jack is off the wood about 1/4 inch or so. I did move the saddles up a a little but ran out of room.

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Old 07-31-2013, 09:19 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by simplyrwc View Post
Ok so I got a 1400lb set of bars/hitch and I immediately noticed a stiffer drive with a lot more control. After some measuring this is what I got...

1400lb bar measurements

Unloaded

Hitch 19 1/2"
Front 21 1/2"
Rear 22"

Loaded no bars
Hitch 16 1/2"(not sure why I got a half inch difference here, maybe bad measurement the first time?)
Front axle 22"
Rear axle 20"

2 links
Hitch 18 1/2"
Front 21 1/4"
Rear 20 3/4"

3 links
Hitch 19 1/4"
Front 21 1/8"
Rear 21"


Didn't notice a huge difference driving with either 2 or 3 links.
All you're usually trying to achieve with the W/D hitch is to maintain the normal ride height at the front axle of the TV. Your set up with 3 link more than achieves that and could perhaps reduced by one link. I think I'd leave it at 3 links, tow with that and re-evaluate if needed.

What I don't see in your posted pictures of your set-up is any sway bar(s). That camper is 36' long and you should at minimum, have 2 friction sway bars. The better set-up would have been a W/D hitch with integrated sway control such as Equal-i-zer or Reese dual cam.

Dave
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Old 07-31-2013, 10:31 AM   #19
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What I don't see in your posted pictures of your set-up is any sway bar(s). That camper is 36' long and you should at minimum, have 2 friction sway bars.
Dave
He's got mounts for friction sway on the passenger side. I'd definitely add a second one, though.
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Old 07-31-2013, 10:40 AM   #20
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It's laying on the ground just out of the shot. I have a single passenger side set up.
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