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Azarius · 05-10-2014, 05:33 PM

So I installed my new weight distribution hitch today.

Found out when I was done that the dirt area I had done it on wasn't exactly level. /sigh

imgur: the simple image sharer

Guess I'll have to drop the ball an inch or so.

tuffr2 · 05-10-2014, 05:55 PM

1st thing I noticed was the background trees are still bear - no leaves out yet....brrr

I agree - need to lower the WDH a notch or two.

Azarius · 05-10-2014, 06:03 PM

No leaves. Ice still on the lakes. Opening of fishing season is seven days away. Bad winter...

I thought it was a bit weird I was using the top holes... But at the time the measurements all worked.

I'm going to drop it by one notch, retighten and give that a go...

SmokeyWren · 05-10-2014, 07:47 PM

Assuming you have an adjustable shank, that's not a difficult job. If you torqued the bolts that attach the head to the shank to spec, then you'll maybe need a cheater bar to loosen the nuts. But every good shade-tree mechanic has an adequate cheater bar handy.

Before you tighten the nuts again, get the rig as level as you can using your eyeballs. Then verify that the floor of the trailer is level using a 4' or longer carpenters' level.

Azarius · 05-11-2014, 05:35 AM

Ya, I used a torque bar... But only to about 240lbs, not the 260lbs it called for as my torque bar didn't go that high. ~lol~

I'll be attempting to remove the bolts and drop it a notch tomorrow... Wish me luck

cwf · 05-11-2014, 01:41 PM

That looks like a good location to set things.

It looks like rear of truck Went lower than front. Ideally the load on truck should be equal, front to rear. If rear drops 1" so should front. But the front should not drop more than rear of truck.

Measure your trailer chassis frame. Make it "parallel" to the ground if sloped. Now measure "ball height". Same for truck. Once you know the heights, it is easier to make calcs.

Sent from my electronic leash.

Azarius · 05-19-2014, 06:45 AM

Dropped the ball one set of holes and it was still too high, so dropped it one more... BAMN! Voila!

my 2011 F150 5.0l towed my 30' trailer with no problems... Gas mileage went from 10L/100 to 21l/100... When the hitch was too high, it was 36L/100! What a difference!

Thanks!