How many links hang on WD hitch

[jcp]

Hey guys hope someone can ease my mind.

I have a Toyota Tundra and pull a TT with a weight of 8200 lbs.

I have a Draw-Tite WD hitch and 1000 lb spring bars.

When I set everthing up so the back end of the truck is only down about 1/2" and the front end is down about 1/4" I only have 5 links of chain between the tension bars and the hookup point. The bars are not level and I am at max hitch ball angle. I have heard you should have 6 links between tension bar and hookup point but not sure how big a deal this is.

When I weigh things, it looks like I have 700 pounds of the hitch on the rear axel and 100 lbs on the front axel. Seems to tow real nice.

If I back off to 6 links the rear squats more and there does not seem to be any weight transfer to the front.

Is the 5 link thing a big deal? How about level tension bar?

Thanks
JCP

[Hitchhiker]

I think the number of links is not near as important as getting the tow vehicle as near level as possible. I'd suggest sticking with the 5 you described. Make sure the bars don't interfere with anything as you turn sharply and you should be good to go.

[TXiceman]

There is a long procedure to setting up the hitch correctly. Generally you will want about 6 links under tension. Do not worry about the ones hanging loose. You want the trailer level and the truck to squat fairly equally front and rear ( a bot more on the rear is OK). You want the WD bars to be nearly parallel to the ground.

You want about 6 or so links under tension to allow sufficient room for the trailer to turn without the the bars contacting the tongue.

Do you have the instructions for setting up the hitch correctly once the trailer is loaded? If not, they are generally available on the internet.

Ken

[KTM Guy]

Find the procedure for setting up your hitch and start at the beginning. Don't skip any steps. They have to be completed in order. The last step is determining how many links to hang off. It sounds like you're doing that right by measuring the heights front and rear and comparing them to the completely unhitched heights so you get equal drops. But if you leave out a previous step you can end up with dangerous spring tension.

Good luck!

[jcp]

Thanks for all your input.
You are right I am talking about how many links under tension not "hanging".
If I shorten to 5 links under tension when I make really sharp turn like when backing up the tension bars could conceivably contact the tongue but is this really any different than the links in tension contacting the tongue??

[TXiceman]

If the bars are clearing the trailer tongue and hitch, I would leave it at 5 links under tension. Does it tow OK and ride OK?

Ken