Adjusting your WDH

[Bbouch84]

So im to the point that i feel like i need to readjust my WDH.

When i picked up the camper both the truck and the camper were unloaded.
pulled great on the way home..

But now with all our camping gear loaded up i think there is some adjusting to do i feel like its loose in the front end and the sway control isnt there as much as it was when i brought it home from the dealer. Am i wrong to thinking this?

Who else has had to adjust their set up and how many times have you had to do so?

[Gobirds38]

If you have a Blue Ox Sway Pro, the installation manual on page 7 shows the adjustments.
If not here is a link...
https://www.blueox.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/BXW035005500750100015002000-11.pdf

[Bbouch84]

I am currently using the Fastway E2 trunnion hitch.. or how ever you spell it.

[NH_Bulldog]

Any time there is a significant load change, the hitch system should be readjusted accordingly (as in your situation). Fortunately smaller load changes are fine and hitch adjustment isn’t necessary.

A generally accepted ideal adjustment would have the measurement at the front fenders the same before and after connecting the trailer and the rear fender measurement settling about an inch or so.

[sourdough]

Just from outside looking in.... That's a 7600 lb./31' trailer behind a 1/2 ton Ram QC. Having towed with a 1/2 ton Ram 1500 QC I suspect some issues;

1) When you towed empty your wdh/sway was probably at its limits. That large a trailer on a 1/2 ton needs a 4 point sway control to keep it in line. 2) Unless you've changed them you are at the point the P rated tires on the truck are beyond their capability to "control" the push of the trailer. 3) The additional weight has now exacerbated any issues you may have with worn shocks or suspension components after 6 years. 4) I added air bags on mine to help and they did. If you make those mods and make sure the truck is not overloaded and the wdh dialed in properly you should be good to go but I doubt you will ever have a "good" towing experience with a 2 point sway with that combo.

[Bbouch84]

Well let me get a bit more technical here for a moment.

As for shocks i have upgraded those to a heavier duty shock. "not that that means much"

Rear springs have been replaced with tufftruk 1211 springs.

Brakes have been upgraded as well.

Tires are Atturo Trailblade Xt 305/55/20 with a 121 rating for weight.

my hitch and sway control is the following set up i bought the 10k weight one for a little big of over kill.

https://www.fastwaytrailer.com/e2-hitch.

The trailer empty rolled across the scale at 5893. i dont believe im near 7600 pounds no way. i only travel with full propane tanks and empty water tanks.

[sourdough]

Well let me get a bit more technical here for a moment.

As for shocks i have upgraded those to a heavier duty shock. "not that that means much"

Rear springs have been replaced with tufftruk 1211 springs.

Brakes have been upgraded as well.

Tires are Atturo Trailblade Xt 305/55/20 with a 121 rating for weight.

my hitch and sway control is the following set up i bought the 10k weight one for a little big of over kill.

https://www.fastwaytrailer.com/e2-hitch.

The trailer empty rolled across the scale at 5893. i dont believe im near 7600 pounds no way. i only travel with full propane tanks and empty water tanks.


Technical helps. Running a lift?

When you bought the 10k wdh that has nothing to do with sway control. The 10k does not have any relation to the sway ability and I would maintain that you need the 4 point sway.

If you have a lift and a sway control not up to the task the whole thing just gets worse. I've listed some other things to help with a 1/2 ton. If the 1/2 ton has been modified for "fun" or "looks", those modifications are to the detriment of "towing". The more weight you put behind it the more any problems are amplified - it seems you may have reached that point.

I am sure your truck would have pulled that trailer fine in OE state and with the proper equipment. It seems you have added some aftermarket "stuff"; some may help for towing purposes; some don't.

If you think all you need is to adjust the 2 point system go through the procedures established for setting it up and see if it helps. It may very well do so since you've added weight. Optimal? I doubt it.

BTW, it's amazing how much stuff you can add to a trailer to go camping. We carried around 1200 lbs. between truck and trailer on our last TT combo, didn't carry water either and needed the mods I listed to be "stable". YMMV

[Bbouch84]

Im not big into modifing my truck for looks or lifting it. Im the outdoors type and my truck is my daily driver but gets me to fishing holes and camping spots... you say 2 point sway control but isnt my hitch listed as a 4 point?

[sourdough]

Not that I've ever seen thus the "E2".

https://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Distribution-Hitch/Fastway/FA94-00-1000.html

You need a 4 point IMO.

[Bbouch84]

https://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Distribution-Hitch/Equal-i-zer/EQ37120ET.html

This is my hitch

[sourdough]

That is the Equalizer 4 point WDH...not an E2

[Bbouch84]

They both look the same

[chuckster57]

They both look the same


Look at the head and the bars, they are different. The E4 is much better than the E2 IMO, but I tow Fifth wheel.

[sourdough]

As Chuck pointed out they aren't the same and difference is the head. There are adjustments for tension in the head of the Equalizer 4 point that the "E2" does not have....they just swivel.

[Logan X]

https://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Distribution-Hitch/Equal-i-zer/EQ37120ET.html

This is my hitch

This is a good hitch. Readjust it, per the instructions in the manual, with the trailer loaded for camping. It should feel better after it had been adjusted for a loaded trailer.

[Bbouch84]

Thanks logan

[JRTJH]

I am currently using the Fastway E2 trunnion hitch.. or how ever you spell it.

...

my hitch and sway control is the following set up i bought the 10k weight one for a little big of over kill.

https://www.fastwaytrailer.com/e2-hitch.

...

https://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Distribution-Hitch/Equal-i-zer/EQ37120ET.html

This is my hitch

They both look the same

I'm confused. In several comments you say that you're using a "Fastway E2 trunnion hitch" Then you say that it's "this one in this link" referring to a EQ37120ET (4 point) hitch, not a 92-00-1000 (2 point) hitch.

You made the comment that "they look the same". I'd ask, is the link to the EQ37120ET at etrailer.com based on the picture or the model number?

At this point, I simply don't know if your hitch is a 2 point or a 4 point system. :confused:

[linux3]

Many posters say the weight is OK because they travel with empty tanks.
I've found I get a much better towing experience with 15 ~ 20 gal of fresh water. Less sway and a smoother ride.
I suspect that when loaded there just isn't enough weight on the tongue.

[Bbouch84]

The link posted was the picture of my hitch.. I went out and looked at my hitch today and did some adjusting. My part number is 92 -00-1000..

Here are my measurements from what i figured out before and after adjustments. all my stuff is loaded like it would be if i were headed out. Minus some clothes and food.

Before Adjustments:
Uncoupled front wheel well was 39"
Coupled no spring bars 43.25 "
Coupled with wdh 42.5"

After Adjustments
Uncoupled 39"
Coupled with WDH 39.5"

Huge difference i feel like thats a good number to go with. and even if more weight is loaded i can still fall in that halfway part between 39 and 43.25 inches.

[NH_Bulldog]

I would try to keep the front number as close to the unloaded measurement as possible. Any number higher than that is taking weight off the front end, which can lighten the steering, raise the headlights, etc. Any number lower is adding weight to the front end, which can cause tire wear, steering and suspension component stress/wear, etc.

[flybouy]

The instructions on WDH is to adjust so that the front and rear drop as close to the same amount as possible. I haven't read the E2 instructions but that's what I'd go by v(the instructions for the hitch itself).

[bbells]

IMHO, anyone who hasn't readjusted their dealer installed wdh should do it asap.

[skids]

The instructions on WDH is to adjust so that the front and rear drop as close to the same amount as possible. I haven't read the E2 instructions but that's what I'd go by v(the instructions for the hitch itself).

Front and rear drop would seem to make sense, but that is not what E2 recommends. They say:
1. Meausre the height from the ground to fender when WDH is not used and tongue load is applied.
2. Measure the height when no weight is applied to the ball.
3. Determine the average of the two heights.
4. Adjust the WDH until the height is between the average and no load on ball condition.
5. Then check to see if the trailer is still level front to rear.
They claim that this is to prevent wear to the steering and front suspension of the tow vehicle.

[flybouy]

Front and rear drop would seem to make sense, but that is not what E2 recommends. They say:
1. Meausre the height from the ground to fender when WDH is not used and tongue load is applied.
2. Measure the height when no weight is applied to the ball.
3. Determine the average of the two heights.
4. Adjust the WDH until the height is between the average and no load on ball condition.
5. Then check to see if the trailer is still level front to rear.
They claim that this is to prevent wear to the steering and front suspension of the tow vehicle.

And that's why I stated to follow the instructions. Thanks for posting them.

[Trike Pete]

We just did that. I ended up having to replace the existing weight ditribution bars with sturdier ones. All adjustments required full water tanks and extra gear in the campe to set it up correctly..

[sourdough]

OP, I'm still confused about what hitch you have. There is a huge difference between the Fastway E2 and the Equalizer 4 point. Here is a link describing the part number you gave (92-00-1000/Fastway E2) which you said is on the hitch;

https://www.reese-hitches.com/products/FastWay_e2_Trunnion_Style_Weight_Distribution_Kit_ With_Sway_Control___1_000_lb,92-00-1000

Notice the description says it has 2 point sway control. Here is a video for the same product. Note at the 2 minute mark it specifies it is a 2 point;

https://www.reese-hitches.com/views/videos/show_video.php?video=https://youtu.be/ChyN-d_qcHo

The link you posted previously to the Equalizer 4 point is definitely not the same hitch and the 2 point will not be nearly as effective controlling sway with that big of a trailer. Adjusting it for weight distribution is one thing, controlling sway is an entirely different, unrelated parameter.