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07-26-2013, 01:04 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: California
Posts: 479
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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?
__________________
2004 V10 4X4 Excursion
2014 FR Wildwood 32BHDS
2013 Days Camped 14
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07-26-2013, 08:35 AM
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#2
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Always Learning
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Four Corners, FL
Posts: 21,888
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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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Officially a SOB with a 2022 Jayco Precept 36C
Checkout my site for RVing tips, tricks, and info | Was a Fulltime Family for 5 years, now we're part-timing on long trips
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07-26-2013, 08:53 AM
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#3
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Site Team - Lou
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Eastern PA
Posts: 23,268
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Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
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07-26-2013, 09:09 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Dillsburg, PA
Posts: 308
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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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2013 Rockwood Mini 2503S
2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 5.3L
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07-26-2013, 10:26 AM
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#5
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
Posts: 9,280
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bryan2503S
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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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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Chap , DW Joy, and Fur Baby Sango
2017 F350 Lariat CCSB, SRW, 4x4, 6.7 PS
2017 Grand Design Reflection 337RLS
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07-26-2013, 10:30 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Dillsburg, PA
Posts: 308
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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.
__________________
2013 Rockwood Mini 2503S
2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 5.3L
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07-26-2013, 10:50 AM
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#7
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
Posts: 9,280
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bryan2503S
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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I think all CAT scales have sectioned platforms.....you should be good to go.
__________________
Chap , DW Joy, and Fur Baby Sango
2017 F350 Lariat CCSB, SRW, 4x4, 6.7 PS
2017 Grand Design Reflection 337RLS
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07-26-2013, 01:58 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: California
Posts: 479
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Thanks for the links Herk and the info Epen
__________________
2004 V10 4X4 Excursion
2014 FR Wildwood 32BHDS
2013 Days Camped 14
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07-27-2013, 05:58 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: California
Posts: 479
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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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07-27-2013, 08:09 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Brazoria County, Texas
Posts: 1,460
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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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2015 Chevy Silverado LTZ - HD tow package
2017 Rockwood 2703WS Emerald Edition
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07-27-2013, 08:35 PM
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#11
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 4,327
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Quote:
Originally Posted by simplyrwc
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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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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Nights camped in 2013 - 55, 2014 - 105, 2015 - 63
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07-27-2013, 09:15 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: California
Posts: 479
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The rear axle numbers are WITH the trailer attached.
__________________
2004 V10 4X4 Excursion
2014 FR Wildwood 32BHDS
2013 Days Camped 14
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07-27-2013, 10:47 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: California
Posts: 479
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave_Monica
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
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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
__________________
2004 V10 4X4 Excursion
2014 FR Wildwood 32BHDS
2013 Days Camped 14
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07-28-2013, 10:22 AM
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#14
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 4,327
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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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Nights camped in 2013 - 55, 2014 - 105, 2015 - 63
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07-29-2013, 04:55 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: California
Posts: 479
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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!
__________________
2004 V10 4X4 Excursion
2014 FR Wildwood 32BHDS
2013 Days Camped 14
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07-31-2013, 12:55 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: California
Posts: 479
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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.
__________________
2004 V10 4X4 Excursion
2014 FR Wildwood 32BHDS
2013 Days Camped 14
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07-31-2013, 12:58 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: California
Posts: 479
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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.
__________________
2004 V10 4X4 Excursion
2014 FR Wildwood 32BHDS
2013 Days Camped 14
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07-31-2013, 09:19 AM
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#18
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 4,327
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Quote:
Originally Posted by simplyrwc
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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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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Nights camped in 2013 - 55, 2014 - 105, 2015 - 63
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07-31-2013, 10:31 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Brazoria County, Texas
Posts: 1,460
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave_Monica
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
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He's got mounts for friction sway on the passenger side. I'd definitely add a second one, though.
__________________
2015 Chevy Silverado LTZ - HD tow package
2017 Rockwood 2703WS Emerald Edition
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07-31-2013, 10:40 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: California
Posts: 479
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It's laying on the ground just out of the shot. I have a single passenger side set up.
__________________
2004 V10 4X4 Excursion
2014 FR Wildwood 32BHDS
2013 Days Camped 14
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