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07-23-2017, 01:07 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Dallas
Posts: 73
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Need help with hitch
I'm having a hard time getting my WD hitch adjusted correctly. I've got a Springdale bumper pull with a gmc 2500 and a 10,000 lb fast way e2 hitch.
The front of the truck unloaded is 39 1/2". Trailer only is 40" and with WD it's 39 3/4". The trailer and truck look level but seems to have a bit of bounce on the tongue. I raised the L brackets 1 hole and it lowered the front end of the truck slightly and seemed to help with the bounce but the truck and trailer seemed to be elevated at the tongue.
I've attached pictures of the current set up. Thanks for any help.
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2018 Springdale 262RK
2015 GMC 2500
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07-23-2017, 01:31 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Solomons
Posts: 3,874
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I don't have the same hitch but my Equalizer is similar. It can be difficult getting everything dialed in. It sounds like the front measurement is on the money. You didn't mention the height of your rear fender before TT, height with TT attached loaded but the bars are not connected to the TT, and then finally fully connected. Your bars should be close to level with the TT frame when you are all set up. Raising the L bars is a bigger adjustment but easier to do than adding or taking a washer in or out for the hitch angle. The washers are a fine adjustment. It may be you need to adjust the angle.
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Tom
2019 Alpine 3651RL
2016 F350 CC DRW
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07-23-2017, 01:43 PM
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#3
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Dallas
Posts: 73
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Well I actually didn't get a rear measurement. Probably would have been a good idea. So adding washers would make a stiffer ride?
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2018 Springdale 262RK
2015 GMC 2500
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07-23-2017, 01:56 PM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,353
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Looking at the pics it looks like the ball is either straight or pointed slightly forward. It should be about 10 degrees towards the back, we use 6 or 7 washers.
__________________
2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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07-23-2017, 02:15 PM
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#5
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Cheyenne
Posts: 19
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It is equally important to measure with TT level the coupler height and match height with ball .
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07-23-2017, 02:22 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: B.C
Posts: 1,399
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You could pull a washer and see what happens but that's alot of messing around. I used to look at my unit all the time when I parked and it always looked different. I know that on level pavement at home it's dead perfect so I try not to let it get to me anymore.
Btw do you have a pic of your setup so we have a better idea of what it looks like?
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2010 Keystone Cougar 25 RL.
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07-23-2017, 02:24 PM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,353
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dodgefather21
It is equally important to measure with TT level the coupler height and match height with ball .
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We try to set the ball 1-2" above the coupler.
__________________
2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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07-23-2017, 02:24 PM
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#8
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,997
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Quote:
Originally Posted by C424
Well I actually didn't get a rear measurement. Probably would have been a good idea. So adding washers would make a stiffer ride?
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Adding washers will "raise the rear end of the WD bars" (see ADDED below) which will decrease tension and apply less leverage to the front of the tow vehicle. That will make the ride "softer" but will also decrease the weight levered forward and cause the front fender to rise higher than the "truck alone" measurement.
Removing washers will "lower the rear end of the WD bars" (see ADDED below) which will increase the tension (if you leave the trailer attachments as they currently are) and will increase the leverage to the front of the tow vehicle. That will make the ride "harsher" at the front axle (depending on your suspension/tire pressure) but may create less "bounce" at the hitch.
As tbos said, adding/removing washers changes the angle of the hitch head, the angle of the WD bars (in relation to the trailer tongue A frame) and changes the tension on the WD bars less than adjusting the Lbrackets up or down one hole. As he said, the washers are a "fine tuning" part of the WD bars.
ADDED: OOPS !! I just realized your washer adjustment is ABOVE the two bolts that hold your hitch head together, so what I typed above would be opposite of what actually happens.
Adding washers will INCREASE tension and removing washers will DECREASE tension. Sorry about the confusion....
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John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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07-23-2017, 02:26 PM
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#9
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,353
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JRTJH
Adding washers will "raise the rear end of the WD bars" which will decrease tension and apply less leverage to the front of the tow vehicle. That will make the ride "softer" but will also decrease the weight levered forward and cause the front fender to rise higher than the "truck alone" measurement.
Removing washers will "lower the rear end of the WD bars" which will increase the tension (if you leave the trailer attachments as they currently are) and will increase the leverage to the front of the tow vehicle. That will make the ride "harsher" at the front axle (depending on your suspension/tire pressure) but may create less "bounce" at the hitch.
As tbos said, adding/removing washers changes the angle of the hitch head, the angle of the WD bars (in relation to the trailer tongue A frame) and changes the tension on the WD bars less than adjusting the Lbrackets up or down one hole. As he said, the washers are a "fine tuning" part of the WD bars.
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I think your standing upside down John. Adding washers tilts the ball back and lowers the ends of the bars
__________________
2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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07-23-2017, 02:30 PM
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#10
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Cheyenne
Posts: 19
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Also not sure age or miles on truck . But here are some other things to look into .
Don't rule out shocks .
Check and make sure TT isn't overloaded.
Not enough weight on the tongue can cause bounce in the Truck trailer connection. And too much can cause bounce in the back .
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07-23-2017, 02:33 PM
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#11
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Cheyenne
Posts: 19
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https://youtu.be/aNmcYI2Pp9w
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07-23-2017, 02:43 PM
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#12
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,997
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chuckster57
I think your standing upside down John. Adding washers tilts the ball back and lowers the ends of the bars
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After this weekend, I'm surprised I'm only standing on my head, but you're right and hopefully the corrections I made in my post will not be completely confusing.... I realized what I had done when I looked at the OP's pictures. My old EZ Lift hitch (from the 1970's (yes I still have it) has the bolt/washers below the two bolts that hold the head on the drawbar.
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John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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07-23-2017, 03:04 PM
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#13
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Dallas
Posts: 73
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Need help with hitch
I don't have a picture of the whole set up. The way the hitch is set up now was done by the dealer for my 1/2 ton truck. I've since switched to a 3/4 ton truck and it's a 2015 with 13,000 miles. I can't imagine the set up for a 1/2 ton and a 3/4 ton being that similar.
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__________________
2018 Springdale 262RK
2015 GMC 2500
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07-23-2017, 03:05 PM
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#14
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Dallas
Posts: 73
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chuckster57
I think your standing upside down John. Adding washers tilts the ball back and lowers the ends of the bars
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So do you think I should try adding a washer or 2?
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__________________
2018 Springdale 262RK
2015 GMC 2500
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07-23-2017, 03:24 PM
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#15
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Site Team | Emeritus
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 3,878
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Quote:
Originally Posted by C424
I don't have a picture of the whole set up. The way the hitch is set up now was done by the dealer for my 1/2 ton truck. I've since switched to a 3/4 ton truck and it's a 2015 with 13,000 miles. I can't imagine the set up for a 1/2 ton and a 3/4 ton being that similar.
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The set up will be exactly the same. The settings will be different and determined by measurements. I have an Equalizer so it's different but similar. Set it up generically to start, take measurements and then make small adjustments with washers. If that doesn't do it, raise the L brackets a notch and fine tune with the washers again. Good luck.
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Chip Bruce, RPh
Kansas City, MO
2016 Impact 312
2017 Silverado 3500HD SRW
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07-23-2017, 03:34 PM
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#16
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Dallas
Posts: 73
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And this may be a dumb question but what kind of washers would I use?
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__________________
2018 Springdale 262RK
2015 GMC 2500
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07-23-2017, 03:39 PM
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#17
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,353
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The kit should have included 7 or 8 washers. How far away is the dealer? If close by ask them if they have any more. I have a stack of them from different WD kits that we install so I can't say I paid attention to that detail.
We like to see the ball tilting back away from the TV about 10 degrees when the vehicle is on level ground.
__________________
2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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07-23-2017, 03:41 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Solomons
Posts: 3,874
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You can always remove an existing washer and go to a hardware or auto parts store and get them to match so for you.
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__________________
Tom
2019 Alpine 3651RL
2016 F350 CC DRW
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07-23-2017, 03:41 PM
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#19
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Dallas
Posts: 73
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I'll try tilting the ball back more, I haven't tried that yet.
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__________________
2018 Springdale 262RK
2015 GMC 2500
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07-23-2017, 03:42 PM
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#20
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Dallas
Posts: 73
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tbos
You can always remove an existing washer and go to a hardware or auto parts store and get them to match so for you.
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Good idea.
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__________________
2018 Springdale 262RK
2015 GMC 2500
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