Weight Distribution

[jenandrand]

Hello,
I have a 2018 Silverado 2500, 4x4, CC, with the Duramax and my trailer is a FR Heritage Glen 299RE. I use an Andersen WDH with sway control, I followed their instructions as well as the owners manual for the Chevy. I took measurements of the front prior to hitching the trailer and after hitching it as well. I adjusted my wdh so I was within the required difference of the two measurements, per the manual, and then headed to the CAT scale.

Truck without the trailer:
FA 4970
RA. 3540

Truck with trailer and wdh in place and adjusted as above:
FA 4720
RA 4700
TA 6940

My question is this, do you all see a problem with being 270 lbs lighter on my steer axle with my trailer hooked up or should I adjust the wdh more to get it closer to original weight?

FYI, it handled well with no noticeable sway or undue bounce.

Thank you in advance,
Randy

[goduc]

I don't go by weight to the front for figuring out if I have enough weight transfer. There's a reason why all truck MFG's use measurements to set the front end up. It's much easier and just as accurate. Do you know the weight on the front when the TT's hitch without the WDH engaged? Thats the number you need to be able to determine if you're returning enough weight back to the front of the truck.
Also what does your manual say for setting up the truck for towing?

[Bama Rambler]

You say that you're within specs for the front wheel well height, but are you at the high or low end of that spec?

Personally, I'd try to get a good chunk of that 270lbs back by tightening the WDH some.

[MR.M]

Originally Posted by jenandrand

Hello,
I have a 2018 Silverado 2500, 4x4, CC, with the Duramax and my trailer is a FR Heritage Glen 299RE. I use an Andersen WDH with sway control, I followed their instructions as well as the owners manual for the Chevy. I took measurements of the front prior to hitching the trailer and after hitching it as well. I adjusted my wdh so I was within the required difference of the two measurements, per the manual, and then headed to the CAT scale.

Truck without the trailer:
FA 4970
RA. 3540

Truck with trailer and wdh in place and adjusted as above:
FA 4720
RA 4700
TA 6940

My question is this, do you all see a problem with being 270 lbs lighter on my steer axle with my trailer hooked up or should I adjust the wdh more to get it closer to original weight?

FYI, it handled well with no noticeable sway or undue bounce.

Thank you in advance,
Randy

The andersen is a great set up . it will not distribute as much weight back on the front axles as the old fashion WDH with bars and chains and grease . I have over 25,000 miles towing with the andersen . TV is chevy 2500hd TH is a 29 hyperlite with a weight of around 9,200 loaded and 1200 lbs TW . the TV and TH tow as one . never any sway . I run the nuts down to 100 ft lbs and forget it . steering is great and have not noticed any effect . truck and th are level . also see no problem with your set up . that diesel is heavy in the front

[jenandrand]

Thank you all for your replies.

Bama, my owners manual states to tighten the wdh until I have split the difference between the two measurements, that is exactly what I did.

[jenandrand]

Originally Posted by MR.M

The andersen is a great set up . it will not distribute as much weight back on the front axles as the old fashion WDH with bars and chains and grease . I have over 25,000 miles towing with the andersen . TV is chevy 2500hd TH is a 29 hyperlite with a weight of around 9,200 loaded and 1200 lbs TW . the TV and TH tow as one . never any sway . I run the nuts down to 100 ft lbs and forget it . steering is great and have not noticed any effect . truck and th are level . also see no problem with your set up . that diesel is heavy in the front

MR.M, thank you for your reply....that makes me feel more confident in the Andersen hitch.

[VernDiesel]

Randy I think those look pretty good. I've always tried to get as close to replacing the FA weight as I could as its felt best with lots of trailers and lots of miles in all weather. But recent SAE 2807 writings suggest that it should be best to be slightly below that. The amount of weight on the RA plays a part in where exactly best is. In your case your loaded RA hasn't even exceed your FA weight yet so personally I would not add anymore to the FA. I would focus on getting the tongue weight percentage where you want it. Then again I have worked mostly with soft suspension half tons that are more sensitive. Well and semi which is another animal.

"I don't go by weight to the front for figuring out if I have enough weight transfer. There's a reason why all truck MFG's use measurements to set the front end up. It's much easier and just as accurate." I follow the logic but don't know that I can agree. I mean go with what works for you but it may not always be best for everyone. My personal experience has given me the best stability braking sway control driving results with different trailers and repeatably by using the scales. Looks and measurements not as much so. Truck manufacturers use lots of measurements and take into account lots of calculations on everything down to spring rates. Not sure that a manufacturer assembling front ends directly translates to this.

"Do you know the weight on the front when the TT's hitch without the WDH engaged? Thats the number you need to be able to determine if you're returning enough weight back to the front of the truck." Not arguing just seeking to better understand how so and or why? I simply have no idea of how you use that number to determine this. And its ok if you can't explain it. Lots of stuff we know is so but don't know the why.

I'll throw in on the Andersen WDH. I've been using it the last 450k towing Airstreams Gulfstreams and Forrest Rivers from the plants to dealerships. Its quick quiet & easily adaptable to a lot of trailers and easier and simpler to adjust for weight transfer than most. Agreed its not the strongest at weight transfer. Seems to work well up to an 8k trailer but won't transfer as much as I would like on anything bigger. At least on my truck. Sway control is very good and when the brake wears out its simple to change.