Well here's a dumb question

jar3316 · 10-29-2012, 01:29 PM

My previous RV experiences have been 2 class Cs (under 24') and 1 pop up

This is our first "real" TT and to be honest I never thought about leveling it while towing. But I just leveled my truck and it dropped the hitch as a result and now the TT (26') is about 6" end to end out of level (front low) originally it was off by about 2". From the picture you can see the truck doesn't really drop at all with the trailer, even with all that and my Street bike in the bed it only drops about 2" (about 1" like pictured). Now one good thing about the out of level problem it helps with the back end not dragging. So my question is should I level it or leave it.

jeeplj8 · 10-29-2012, 01:43 PM

with the trailer out of level you are putting more weight on the front axle, reducing the efectivness of your trailer brakes, and possibly putting undue stress on the rear of the truck.

I tow my boat trailer slightly nose down to keep the prop guard from dragging. I am probably one inch off level, the most I would consider still safe.

Road-King · 10-29-2012, 02:02 PM

Do you have a weight distribution hitch on the setup? If not, IMHO you need one and maybe sway control too...

An ideal setup is for the tt to be as close to level as possible and the tv to get the front as close to unhitched height as possible. If you can't get the tt level, a little high in the front is recommended.

MtnGuy · 10-29-2012, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Road-King

Do you have a weight distribution hitch on the setup? If not, IMHO you need one and maybe sway control too...

An ideal setup is for the tt to be as close to level as possible and the tv to get the front as close to unhitched height as possible. If you can't get the tt level, a little high in the front is recommended.

I agree mostly with Road-King's post. The part that don't agree with is that maybe you need sway control.......that should be a definite.

Even with an F250, a WDH should be used used to put the lost weight back on the front axle....the truck will drive much better. But, you do not use the WDH to level the trailer...that should be done with the ball height. But (again), using a WDH may get your trailer riding level with the current ball height by raising the back end of the truck.

Road-King · 10-29-2012, 02:53 PM

I agree with mtnguy, I just hate to put "definite" in my post as it is not my setup. But if were me, definite...

MtnGuy · 10-29-2012, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Road-King

I agree with mtnguy, I just hate to put "definite" in my post as it is not my setup. But if were me, definite...

Yeah, maybe "definite" is too strong of a word. How about instead of "maybe" or "definite" we use "probably".

jar3316 · 10-29-2012, 04:57 PM

I'm not understanding the WDH idea, my truck without any air bags (might install someday) and fully, and I mean fully, loaded for camping drops the back of the truck less than 1 inch.

the truck weighs 6200lbs empty and about 75% of that weight is in the front and from ford it was designed with a 2" drop to the front so so you can haul a utility box with tools or a load and be level. I put 1 1/2" levelers in the front to balance the truck out (still 1/2" low in front), now when the trailer and all camping gear in the bed is loaded the truck sits almost exactly level (about 3/8" low in the back).

I was, and still am, under the impression that WDHs are for taking the weight off the rear axle and placing it to the front. But in my set up, a 528lb tongue on a rear axle of a truck that is designed to take 3000lbs in the bed (it has the factory load helpers), am I understanding you guys correctly that I need to transfer 264lbs to the front?

As far as level, my first inclination was to level it, but wondered what harm it would be to leave it out of level. Honestly I had not considered undue stress to the frame/hitch welding point at the point this morning when I posted. And I am not fighting you guys just trying to grasp this concept here.

I have traveled almost 6,000 miles with this trailer and truck set up (minus the leveling kit) and have taken the Tioga Pass to Yosemite up and down a couple times and been in wind strong enough to blow the awnings off of my friends RVs going down the road, and this TT has been great all the way. So understand I'm just trying to grasp why a WDH and sway control will help my situation significantly and not just put a hole in my wallet.

Road-King · 10-30-2012, 11:36 AM

jar3316, there are some sites online that have better explanation of why and how a WDH works. Here are a couple to check out.

HowStuffWorks "How Towing Weight Distribution Systems Work"
Common Weight Distribution and Sway Control Questions | etrailer.com

There is plenty of advice on this forum. I'm sure some would say my set up is not the best out there. I have a dually tv with a normal WDH and 2 friction sway control bars. My tt is around 8000lbs loaded with around 900lbs tongue. But I feel safe towing with it. Without the WDH I felt like the front axle was too light.

Again it is your set up, so whatever is within your safety zone is up to you.

jar3316 · 11-01-2012, 12:04 AM

Well after much reading and research I have come to the conclusion that my setup is right on the edge of needing a wdh. So I have made an appointment to take my rig (now leveled) to a local rv mechanic that said he would take a look at it on Saturday and calc the numbers and measurements he's even said he will set up a used one to test it out with if its close. I'll post the results Monday

jar3316 · 11-05-2012, 12:08 PM

Well, final results are in. Here are all the measurements. Unloaded to top of wheel wells front 37.5" rear 39.0", Loaded with 569.6 Lbs tongue and nothing in the bed (except for my standard tool box of stuff), front 37.625" rear 38.75" bottom of frame at front of trailer 17.125" rear of trailer 17.0". With 200 Lbs added to the bed (all behind the axle simulate ice chest and stuff) front not enough to measure back 38.625" trailer front 17".0 and back at 17.125".

After all the measurements the mechanic said lets take it on the freeway. we drove about 15-20 miles round trip on the freeway (bed unloaded) taking the trailer to 75 mph and holding it there, now in CA the speed limit with a trailer is 55 and that's where I set my CC I don't usually go over 65 to 70 for cases of passing maybe, but I have to say I was impressed I thought with the trailer being so level and allowing more air under it and traveling at that speed; it might wobble, but nope it was solid as a rock.

So final decision is WDH for my setup F250 Super Duty and a X-light trailer would be overkill, but a set of bags for the rear would be a nice ride improvement.

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