mike12110 wrote: As I said before I hate these endless loops but now I'm confused. Lets suppose the trailer is at GVWR and I add more weight to the truck bed. Do I still use the WD hitch to lift the rear. I don't think so as that will overload the TT.
Think of WD as it affects the TV. You set WD of the hitch to return the front end back to original axle loading or more pending what TV you have. The hitch head height is adjusted up and down the shank to level the TT where ever the proper WD on the TV comes out.
Now to your question.
If the TT is Loaded to FULL GVWR including the addition of the adder of WD weight transferred to the TT axles, and the WD hitch is adjusted properly to put the front end of the TV back to unhitched weight or more pending TV.
Then what if you add more weight in the truck bed aft of the rear axle?
Well the WD on the TV is now affected. How much depends on how much weight you added and how far it is from the rear axle. If you do not make any WD adjustments to put the TV front end back where it is suppose to be, then you:
Just lost proper WD on the TV.
Added a level of increased load on the WD bars from the bed weight pushing down on the TV receiver.
Added a small level of added weight transfer onto the TT axle that was already at full GVWR. Technically the TT can now be over GVWR.
IF you do adjust the WD hitch to compensate for the bed weight: (Providing you did not exceed the ratings of the WD bars, hitch and receiver)
The TV is now placed back to optimized WD settings. The TV is happy.
The TT just picked up a higher % of axle weight due to adjusting the WD bars tighter as it transfers some more weight to the TT axles. It is now over GVWR.
Hopefully your TT tongue is built to be able to take on the higher WD load of the spring bars. This is not an issue unless you are on the edge to start with on a light framed TT with a heavy truck load.
Unless you are pushing things to the limit, these conditions do not presents themselves every camping trip. But we all need to understand that they do so we do not go there. Here are some examples.
Your TT was at full GVWR because you are carrying full fresh water this trip. This special camping trip the entire family is coming along. You add 300# of nice split oak fire wood for the long weekend right at the tail gate, 6 kids bikes, 3 pop coolers, the big BBQ grill etc. in the truck bed. Yes I have seen this in the CG plus more. It happens.
Or you bring along a 600# quad in the back of the truck bed next to the tail gate to go ATV'ing.
If you are adding large weight in the truck, ideally add it foward of the rear axle. This helps greatly minimze the effect. Addign a good amount of weight at the tail gate has the largest effect on this.
Hope this helps.
John
The T
John & Cindy
2005 Ford F350 Super Duty, 4x4; 6.8L V10 with 4.10
CC, SB, Lariat & FX4 package
21,000 GCWR, 11,000 GVWR
Ford Tow Command
1,700# Reese HP hitch & HP Dual Cam
2 1/2" Towbeast Receiver
2004 Sunline Solaris T310SR
(I wish we where camping!)
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