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Old 12-05-2017, 09:32 AM   #13
JRTJH
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,841
Your trailer hitch is not adjusted properly. That said, how do you adjust it properly? First, download the hitch installation/user instructions at: http://www.fastwaytrailer.com/wp-con...0710_small.pdf and read them completely. Then go to your hitch and read them again, "walking through the installation" as you do. Then, after you "understand" how the hitch is supposed to be installed, compare what you see to what the instructions say you "should see". Then, after you have resolved the changes that need to be made, proceed to the adjustment section of the manual. Carefully adjust based on "actual measurements" not on "it was hard to hitch" conditions.

Keep in mind this statement which is on page 8: "The setup may need to be changed slightly at times to accommodate changes in your towing configuration, perhaps even during the same trip."

Now, keep in mind that any suggestions you receive are based on information available and NONE of us have the "luxury" of actually being able to see, touch or adjust your rig. That said, some observations I see from the limited views in the photos you posted.
1. Your hitch head seems to be pointed down more than it should, causing the bars to "angle up" to be level with the trailer A frame. That will cause the wear you're seeing on the bars (where they insert into the hitch head). There are specific instructions in the manual on page 18 on how to adjust the angle by adding/removing spacer washers on the hitch head.
2. Your "L angle" brackets show wear on the front edge. This indicates that the bars are not riding "level" on the surface of the "L angle" bracket. Adjusting the hitch head to be more level AND adjusting the hitch head (either up or down) will allow the WD bars to sit more level on the "L angle" brackets, eliminating the abnormal wear.
3. You have grease on the "L angle" bracket surface. There should be no grease in that area. That is covered on page 14: "It is not necessary to apply lubricant to the joint where the spring arms rest on the L-bracket. This may decrease the amount of friction at this joint which could prevent the hitch from dampening trailer sway as well as possible." Think of it along the same lines as putting grease on your brake shoes to keep them sliding easier. That decreases the ability to provide the friction needed to dampen the sway.

I'd urge you to download the manual, spend a few hours reading and comparing what the manual says and what you see on your hitch. It's apparent that the person who installed and adjusted your hitch/trailer/tow vehicle setup didn't do the best job of getting it "tuned in correctly".

Remember, you may find that you need to make "MINOR" adjustments even during a trip. This is completely normal for some rigs (soft suspension, near max weight limit, large changes in load balance, etc) and may not be necessary on other rigs that have greater tolerances. So, it's more or less a "deal with what you have" kind of situation. If you need to "fidget" with the adjustment more than the guy camped next to you, that doesn't mean your rig is "bad" just not the same as his......
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John



2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
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