2nd weight check

[Ken / Claudia]

See my truck/trailer below.
Keystone says trailer dry 5576lbs hitch 530lbs
1st wt. check was with full 60gals fresh water
Trailer 5700lbs
hitch 900lbs

2nd wt. check without water
Trailer 5600lbs
hitch 700lbs

On 1st wt. check the WD hitch was at 1 hanging link, 2nd wt. check I went up to 2 hanging chain links. 1st time front axle was light by 300lbs 2nd time only 200lbs from unhitched wt. I have read that no wt. should be removed from front axle with WD hitch and trailer hooked up. I do not think with my set up I can get any more back to the front axle. With my truck towing either way I do not find any feel of a light front end regarding braking or steering. Anyone else with 1 tons trucks have any issuses with several hundred pounds removed from the front axle while towing?

[Javi]

Sounds like you need to try a couple more links, and check hitch instructions most call for at least 5 free links between bracket and bar

[GMcKenzie]

I know I have a little weight removed from my 3/4 ton, but there is so much weight on the front end with these diesels that don't worry too much about it.

You can try another link or two as it can't really hurt.

[Bob Landry]

If you have one link hanging, I can assure you that you have no tension on the WD bars. Instead of "trying another link or two", I would start over with the hitch installation instructions. When the instructions say "5 links"(example) it means 5 links under tension, not links hanging loose. You didn't specify which hitch you are using, but the theory is the same. I would also recommend that you go to the towing section at RV.net and read the stickies on how WD works and how to adjust it properly. also, WD needs to be adjusted with the trailer as you are going to tow it. If you are going to tow with full tanks, you need to adjust with full tanks, otherwise, your weights and measurements mean nothing.

[Ken / Claudia]

I got the Reese pro ? with 1,000 lb bars. The dealer set it up. I got the hitch papers in the trailer and will ajust it in the driveway. The front of the trailer is slighty high now so, lower seens the way to go. Side note, today I picked it up from same dealer after a topper install and I went with the sevice guy explaining the weights I have and links on the bars. He said to try 3 hanging links so I drove it home w/o weighting it that way. It drives fine. He kind of laughed about the lighter front end saying on my truck afew hundred pounds don't change anything. He asked if it bounced or swayed, it doesn't and he said do not worry about it as it is. But, I will ajust the hitch myself and see if it can get better. It may or may not but, I will find out. Thanks guys.

[audio1der]

You can always play with the hitch head angle to get more/less links under tension. It's recommended to have at least 5 links under tension to give the WD bars enough room to move under the A-frame of the trailer as the TV rotates, turns & rocks.

[hankaye]

Ken / Claudia, Howdy;

When you first posted you mentioned the following;

"1st wt. check was with full 60gals fresh water
Trailer 5700lbs
hitch 900lbs

2nd wt. check without water
Trailer 5600lbs
hitch 700lbs"

At about 8,3 #/gal. that's almost 500 #'s of water.
I'm no kind of Math wizard but you show a loss of
only 100 #'s from your trailer weight and another loss
of only 200#'s from the hitch ....... where did the other
300#'s go ???? Something like a small gorilla wandering
around somewhere.

hankaye

[B&T]

hankaye , he stated that he changed his WDH link settings between the 1st & 2nd weigh -- that messes with the math

[Bob Landry]

Consistency is key when setting these things up. The hitch is adjusted with the trailer loaded as you are going to take it camping. If you change things around your hitch settings are going to be all over the map, then you are going to wonder why the rig pulls right sometimes and all other the road other times. If you are going to haul water everywhere you go, then set up your hitch accordingly and fill the tank every time you tow.

[hankaye]

B&T, Howdy;

Originally Posted by B&T

hankaye , he stated that he changed his WDH link settings between the 1st & 2nd weigh -- that messes with the math

I don't disagree with you about changing the set-up will change things around some. he also said that he dumped the water;

60 gal. X 8.3 lb/gal. = 498 lb's.

He gave us this information;
"1st wt. check was with full 60gals fresh water
Trailer 5700lbs
hitch 900lbs"

5700 + 900 = 6600 lb.

Then he told us;

"2nd wt. check without water
Trailer 5600lbs
hitch 700lbs"

5600 + 700 + 6300 lb.

Only about a 300 lb. drop in weight where's the "other" 198 lb. of water?

That was my question...

hank

[Ken / Claudia]

I cannot reason why the wt. change did not equal the change in water gals. I filled it until water was coming out the fill hole and drained it before the second. Gauges also showed full and than empty, I realized the error when going over the wt.s but, it was what I printed. Remember that these scales can be up to 200lbs off.

[hankaye]

Ken / Claudia, Howdy;

If you go to a 'Certified' Scale it should be no more than + or -20 lb
from true. The accuracy is due to the objects being weighed are generally
being sold or being conveyed under contract by weight, therefore accuracy
is paramount.

hankaye