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Old 06-24-2009, 01:36 PM   #1
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$60. to adjust hitch . . . worth it

We decided to take our trailer into the dealer today and have them look at the hitch. The people we bought the trailer from had shown us how to set it up . . . but we were feeling slightly uneasy. The service guy at the dealer adjusted the the height of the ball, the sway bar, the equaliser hitch chain etc. etc.
The back end of the van was being pulled down about 7 inches when he first looked at it. . . . by the time he finished, it was pulling down less than an inch with the trailer on. We are planning to get some air shocks which the dealer said (while optional) will lift it up the final inch.

So much of success is in the deatails . . .
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Old 06-24-2009, 02:57 PM   #2
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I would say that the $60.00 was a good investment.
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Old 06-24-2009, 03:19 PM   #3
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I agree. It may have saved your life...as well as some gas mileage? Never know.
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Old 06-24-2009, 03:45 PM   #4
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ladywendolyn, when you say the van was being pulled down 7", I would guess that is the back end ??? And now that is only 1" ??? That weight has to go somewhere, and that being the front axle of your van, plus the axles of your trailer. Make sure that you are not putting too much on either of those axles. Usually, the back of a van is made to carry a little weight, and a 1" squat doesn't sound bad at all. But if your front of the van is squatting that much, then that would be a concern. I would suggest doing some fender measurement with and without the WDH setup, and see what you get.

Just my .02 worth.
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Old 06-24-2009, 08:59 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mtnguy View Post
ladywendolyn, when you say the van was being pulled down 7", I would guess that is the back end ??? And now that is only 1" ??? That weight has to go somewhere, and that being the front axle of your van, plus the axles of your trailer. Make sure that you are not putting too much on either of those axles. Usually, the back of a van is made to carry a little weight, and a 1" squat doesn't sound bad at all. But if your front of the van is squatting that much, then that would be a concern. I would suggest doing some fender measurement with and without the WDH setup, and see what you get.

Just my .02 worth.
I agree, 1'' down on the back should be fine, I would not mess with it. I would take some measurments as mentioned before just to be on the safe side. Airbags can help, but you don't want the airbags doing the work of the WD hitch.
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Old 06-26-2009, 09:35 AM   #6
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1" down is normal for a truck with a WD hitch!
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Old 06-27-2009, 10:28 AM   #7
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1" down is normal for a truck with a WD hitch!
they are pulling with a minivan.
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Old 06-27-2009, 11:13 PM   #8
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they are pulling with a minivan.
IMO, it should still be fine. As long as weight is being distributed instead of most of it at one particular spot, in this case the rear of the vehicle. I think 1'' on a minivan is not bad at all, specially when you consider how much softer the suspension is in the rear as opposed to a truck. That is just my oppinion though.
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Old 06-29-2009, 05:00 PM   #9
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I have to agree.

As long as the weight is even and not putting undue stress on the steer's - it should be fine with that 1" squat.

IF that weight is indeed being forced on the steer axle - there's going to be some serious repairs down the road. That van, although capable, is not really the ideal TV.

Do as was suggested and get some measurements with and without the WDH.
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