F250 - squatting towing 8328BS

[Dprov6716]

I recently got an “Ultralight” 8328RBS - and bought an F 250 to tow it. Although the trailer is within the specs for my truck, I notice a squatting. I’ve checked the wdh and it looks like the dealer installed it to spec. Here’s a picture of the rig on level ground. Is this something I should be concerned with?

[swampdonkey772]

Originally Posted by Dprov6716

I recently got an “Ultralight” 8328RBS - and bought an F 250 to tow it. Although the trailer is within the specs for my truck, I notice a squatting. I’ve checked the wdh and it looks like the dealer installed it to spec. Here’s a picture of the rig on level ground. Is this something I should be concerned with?Attachment 203655

Nope looks normal. You can add airbags to help with the "squatting."

[tomkatb]

It appears your hitch ball height is too high.

Trucks typically are inches higher in the rear than the front.

Helper springs, Sumotomo, or others would raise the rear several inches. However the trailer would then be nose up. A little is ok, but, it should be close to level. Removing your bump stops and adding the helper things is easy. A half hour. I have Timbrens. Might not be spelled right.

Being sort of too,low in the back ultimately can be hard on the drive train. Not life or death tomorrow, but a long term concern. Also it goofs up the headlights. Will shine in drivers eyes.

Trailer dealers are not competent to set up trailers for the most part. Their goal is to get your check. A fancy heavy duty adjustable ball is pricey. At $200 I want one, but don’t need one. I own a fiver but do not own any receiver ball.

[67L48]

WDH adjustments are generally geared around front axle and trailer. Rear axle be damned!

Three measurements for the front.

1. Ground to front fender lip with an empty truck. This gives a baseline for how much weight is on the front axle.
   For easy math, assume 40" of distance between ground and the wheel well fender point.
2. Ground to front fender lip with the trailer hitched up with NO WDH. When the trailer is put on the ball, the front will actually go up ... teeter-totter. So, the distance might jump up to 42".
3. Ground to fender lip with the trailer hitched up and the WDH bars connected. The ultimate goal is to restore the unloaded front loading position (40" in the example). The acceptable range is to get at least half way back. So, if it started at 40" and landed at 42", then the WDH should be adjusted so that the front is no more than 41" (half way back).

If this has been done, then the WDH is doing its job.

The second issue is trailer attitude. You want this to be fairly level. This is done by moving the ball hitch up and down on the shank. Of course, when you move the ball up and down, the WDH needs to be checked/adjusted per the above steps.

In your case, the trailer looks very level.

So, again, it all checks out.

If you don't like the squat or if it's causing issues (bottoming out over speed bumps), then air bags are the most common remedy. This will raise your rear end up ... when means you'll have to lower the ball down on the shank to keep the trailer level ... which means you'll have to adjust the WDH properties.

Good luck.

[JohnD10]

The hitch ball may be too high...

And perhaps some readjusting of the WDH and you will be set.

One thing I've learned...

Most RV dealers know how to put a WDH setup on a truck and trailer...

But they don't have a clue how to get it adjusted the right way.

If you have a trailer hitch shop (ie,- a place that only does that stuff) near you, take your rig there and have them dial it in for you, then show you what you must do each time you hitch up.

[Anderson15]

Originally Posted by Dprov6716

Is this something I should be concerned with?

Yes.

I wouldn't tow like that.

The truck is squatting too much and the front of the trailer is high.

Whoever set that up needs some training.

[nomad297]

Originally Posted by swampdonkey772

looks normal.

Looks normal for a truck with insufficient payload capacity, or for a truck with sufficient payload capacity and the WDH is not adjusted correctly.

Bruce

[ppine]

Not good. Try adjusting WD hitch.

[RET.LEO]

What brand WDH do you have?
That is totally out of adjustment. You should be able to get about 1 inch difference in your front and rear. Airbags are not the answer. Have you checked your tongue weight? 10-15% on the hitch is acceptable 12% is usually considered the sweet spot. Axle weights? How much total cargo weight? Ball height? Do you have the right bars for your tongue weight? I'm surprised the dealer didn't say something or readjust........that just isn't right.
Several good vids on YouTube from Etrailer on WDH & anti sway hitches, installation and adjustment.

[acadianbob]

If your hitch ball is too high, you'll never get a good stance. Level your trailer unhitched. Measure from the ground to the inside of the coupler. Add 1" to that measurement. That should be the height of the ball on your truck.

[swampdonkey772]

Originally Posted by nomad297

Looks normal for a truck with insufficient payload capacity, or for a truck with sufficient payload capacity and the WDH is not adjusted correctly.

Bruce

That truck has sufficient payload and me personally don't see much wrong with it. Maybe torque the bars a little more throwing more weight to the front but I would not be concerned with towing like that

[JohnD10]

That truck has sufficient payload and me personally don't see much wrong with it. Maybe torque the bars a little more throwing more weight to the front but I would not be concerned with towing like that.

Or better yet, crank it (trailer) up a little higher before attaching the bars.

I also think that the ball needs to be lowered as well.

Although, we don't know what kind of WDH the OP has.

[PamperCamper]

I would unhook and double check the install of the wdh, when we bought our TT the dealer installed the wdh as well. Trailer was level with major sag on the back end. After driving it home I found the Lbracket was to low, hitch height was too high, and not enough spacer washers were used in head adjustment. Not saying dealerships don't know what they are doing, just that in my case I had to redo. Also not sure what hitch you are using, mine is the EQ4point. They should have included the instruction manual with the hitch. As well there are alot of videos on you tube on proper install.

[CedarCreekWoody]

Not good. You need to redo the setup as mentioned above. Start with ball height compared to coupler height and measure front fender opening height, then follow WDH manufacturer directions.

[510Rick]

Shoulda got the Chevy... just kidding I had too hahaha Looks like you could use some air bags and a readjustment of the WDH to me . There is a lot of tongue weight on a trailer that long .

[Rivasiuk]

Originally Posted by swampdonkey772

Nope looks normal. You can add airbags to help with the "squatting."

Look into Timbrens on there web site. I love them and they only work when loaded.

[woo10-210]

Zooming in on your photo I see that your hitch shank is flipped upward and you're probably out of adjustment to lower the TT tongue. You'll need to flip the shank so it goes downward. My F250 drops 1-3/8" in the rear with a tongue weight of 900. That's with my WDH set up to allow the TV front to settle exactly half way between unhitched and hitched without the WDH. Your 8328 has a dry TW of 1,150 lbs. and probably 1,250+ loaded. Hopefully your spring bars are rated for a 1,200 or 1,400 lb. TW. I'd estimate your TV rear sag at 2" with the WDH property set up so that would be a good place to start when setting up the tongue height. Level the TT unhitched and then drop the tongue about 1/2" more. Measure to the top of the TT ball and then set up the TV shank so the TV ball is 2" above this height. Connect the TV to the TT then adjust your WDH spring bars/washers to allow the front height of the TV to be about half way between unhitched and hitched without the WDH. Look up the instructions for your WDH.

Your TV looks like it's a gasser so it probably has a payload capacity of around 3K lbs. If so, with a properly set up WDH you shouldn't need airbags, Sumos, Timbrens, or any other suspension aid. Get that WDH set up properly and you'll be very happy. I think you have a well paired setup there.

[swampdonkey772]

Originally Posted by Rivasiuk

Look into Timbrens on there web site. I love them and they only work when loaded.

I don't have a squatting problem. In fact my 5th wheel doesn't even level my truck

[woo10-210]

Originally Posted by swampdonkey772

I don't have a squatting problem. In fact my 5th wheel doesn't even level my truck

Can't compare a 5th wheel setup with a TT setup. The added leverage of placing the TT TW 4' behind the axle makes a significant difference. Hence the need for a properly set up WDH.

[swampdonkey772]

Originally Posted by woo10-210

Can't compare a 5th wheel setup with a TT setup. The added leverage of placing the TT TW 4' behind the axle makes a significant difference. Hence the need for a properly set up WDH.

I understand that. I'm not comparing I was told to look at Timbrens for a problem I currently do not have and I explained why I don't have the problem