kc8yhk
Marblehead Ohio!
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Joined: 06/17/2006
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OK I got the chance to do a quick hookup today.
This time I used my 1000 LB bars and only snapped up the very first link, it went nice and easy.
here are my measurements from the ground to the bottom of the fender dead center over the tire's.
Unloaded-
Front- 39 in
Rear- 42 1/2 in
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NO Spring Bars-
Front- 39 1/2 in
Rear- 41 in
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WITH Spring bars-
Front- 39 1/2 in
Rear- 41 3/4 in
So using the bars with the first link snapped up the rear dropped 3/4 of an inch and the front came up by 1/2 an inch. The TT sat perfectly level, cant get it slightly nose down unless I get a shank with more drop.
I really wanted to take it down the road for a test run but its REALLY REALLY windy today and I wouldn't know if it was the wind or my setup tossing me around.
I had to move my truck off the street before I could take a pic showing it all sitting level so this will have to do I guess.
Me 27, Class A CDL Freight Relocation Specialist
Wife 23, Nuclear power plant quality control inspector
146.52 Listening while on the move!
2002 F-350 CC SRW 7.3 Powerstroke
2008 Jayco G2 31RKS
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mecreature
Indianapolis, IN
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Joined: 09/27/2004
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I would think even just a little weight distributed on that truck would do the trick..
might even be able to do it by hand without lifting it with the jack to engage..
Sweet combo btw..
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reno82
Cardiff by the Sea, CA
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Joined: 04/01/2008
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Yea I'm thinking one more link could be done without jacking it up and may be perfect.
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kc8yhk
Marblehead Ohio!
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Well today I took it out for a test run and adjusting the wd hitch helped some but its still not a fun towing experience. I'm not sure what to do next, its making me go crazy. The 99 jayco towed fine and now this 08 wants to wander all over the road so I don't THINK it's anything to do with my truck. Maybe the fact that this 08 has a rear kitchen makes it a little light on the tongue? The dry tongue weight is 855 lbs. BUT I DO HAVE full dual 30# LP tanks and 2 batteries.... so it should be heavier than the DRY weight.
Only thing I can think of trying is filling up the grey tank (this TT has two, one for the kitchen and on up front) and take it for a spin and see if the added weight in front of the axles improves handling.
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BarneyS
S.E. Lower Michigan
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Joined: 10/16/2000
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According to the picture, you have 9 links under tension and you have very little or no tilt on the hitch head. You are not transferring much, if any, weight at all. I suggest you look at the sticky post at the top of this forum for advice on how to set up your hitch. I'm not saying that getting it set up right is going to completely solve you sway problem but it is a good start. I can almost guarantee you that you are NOT putting too much pressure on those WD bars now - based on the picture you posted above and what you said about how easy it was to draw up the bars!
I would take a guess and say that you should tilt the head rearward a bit and, using the 1000lb bars, try about 6 links under tension for a start, and see what happens.
I would hazard another guess and say that probably most of your problem is coming from an improperly set up hitch. That is, unless you have mis-aligned trailer axles, a really light tongue weight, or something. It would also help if you stopped at a scale and got some actual weights. I have a feeling you might be somewhat surprised at the results. Most people are.
Barney
2004 Sunnybrook 30FKS TT
Hensley "Arrow" 1400# hitch
2002 Ford F250 Super Duty, 7.3L PSD
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kc8yhk
Marblehead Ohio!
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BarneyS wrote:It would also help if you stopped at a scale and got some actual weights.
ask and you shall receive!
fist one is with out the TT.
Thanks for all of your advise guys.
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reno82
Cardiff by the Sea, CA
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Your tongue weight seems about right percentage wise, but it seems it's not spread to the front axle. I'm a little surprised you are lighter up front. I think what BarneyS says about the setup is right on. Maybe tilt the head and take up some more links. You could even stand some more weight up front, almost 200 lbs more on the tongue to get closer to 15% (which most feel is the max).
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chadsalt
sc
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Joined: 04/04/2005
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I will probably be crucified for saying this, but that truck can easily handle that trailer without a WDH. You need to find out what is causing the instability (run without the wdh) then fiddle/run with the wdh if it makes you feel better. Even if the instability "magically" goes away just by messing with the hitch, be assured the problem is still there......ready to show itself during an emergency.
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kc8yhk
Marblehead Ohio!
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so I should take out a washer or two to allow me to have less links under tension?
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chadsalt
sc
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kc8yhk wrote:so I should take out a washer or two to allow me to have less links under tension?
Im saying the trailer should behave itself behind your truck with no WDH at all. If it wont, the WDH is only a band-aid. For safety you need to figure out the loading, tire, bent axle, whatever is causing the problem to begin with.
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