Weight distribution

[2travelers]

Have an F-150 3.5 liter towing a 25' flying cloud. Weighed truck and trailer at CAT scales. Steer axle is 3040 with trailer on, 3120 w/o trailer. Drive axel is 3700 with trailer and 2860 w/o trailer. Using Reese dual cam sway control.

How do I move more weight to steer axel?

Steering does feel a little "light".

Other info - trailer hooked - 5660;. trailer alone - 6480

[Daquenzer]

More links? What size bar are you using? 1000lb? 1000lbs would be minimum. To add links the way to do that is when you are hooked up raise up the truck using the power jack until it is easy to adjust the links. But you may already know that. I know that I have 1400lb bars on my propride hitch and I tighten them up pretty good. I have a 28’ AS RB with lots of tongue weight. Also have an F150. I have good control and feel on the steering.

Also without having to go to the scales all the time I use a level to check the pickup and trailer. By the time I’m done it’s pretty level.

Also what are you putting toward the front of the trailer? Have you used a tongue weight scale to weigh it when loaded? Might need to adjust the weight more toward the rear of the trailer if your tongue weight is nearing 1000lbs.

[Dan and Liz]

If you carry any bed loaded items in truck, move them forward as far as possible, definitely not behind rear axle.

[Al and Missy]

You need a properly adjusted weight distribution hitch. Blue OX, Reese, Equalizer, ProPride, Hensley, or ???.

I have used Equalizer and ProPride with good results.

Adjust it per your TV owners manual to restore at least 50% of the weight back to the steer axle.

Al

[Bill M.]

I also use the Reese dual cam and a 25’ trailer. My trailer is 200 lbs lighter than yours and the truck is stiffer. To increase transfer with the same bars you either hitch with 1 less link between the bar and the lift or you tilt the head back more. My numbers will not be right for you but maybe be instructive. I run 800 lb bars. My head is tipped all the way back as judged by the grooves in the spacers. I run 5 links down. The truck is a 2500. Reese suggests at least 5 links as ideal. So to transfer more weight tip the head or shorten the chain up or use stiffer bars. I also found that I can shift too much weight. On mine that makes passing trucks affect it more. You can also put spacers under the lifts to increase just a little. You sound close now. Maybe just hitch it one link tighter and try it to see if you like it with more transfer. Then re adjust the head if you do not have 5 links.

[majorairhead]

Get the manual and set it up as per instructions.

[Daquenzer]

So if you take all the advice here:
1). More links?
2). Stiffer bars?
3). Head tilt of the hitch?
4). Shift weight to front of bed?
5). Shift weight to rear of trailer?
6). Review instruction manual?

Good luck. It takes a bit of practice. You’ll get it.

[thewarden]

Simply put, if you have installed your hitch according to instructions, then I would guess tightening by one more link will definitely shift more weight to the front axle and you should be right in the ballpark. I found that when I returned the front axle weight to the unloaded weight via WD, it felt the most stable and planted.

[gypsydad]

Measure the distance from the pavement to the bottom of your front fender without the trailer hitched up; then measure it again with the trailer hitched up. Difference should be no more than a 1/2", typically. If it feels light or you experience "porposing", likely need to tighten. Check your set up instructions and I would also call the manufacturer and ask to speak with a technician... Some times a little trial and error to get it right. Good luck!

[cliffcharb]

I run 4 links tight on my 1/2 ton Silverado pulling 30’. As suggested go one more link tight and reweigh. You can also measure your wheel well height loaded and unloaded if scale is not close by. You are aiming for 100% return on front end. You only need to readjust your tilt to dial in the amount of weight transfer if changing links is to drastic

[A W Warn]

Originally Posted by 2travelers

Have an F-150 3.5 liter towing a 25' flying cloud. Weighed truck and trailer at CAT scales. Steer axle is 3040 with trailer on, 3120 w/o trailer. Drive axel is 3700 with trailer and 2860 w/o trailer. Using Reese dual cam sway control.

How do I move more weight to steer axel?

Steering does feel a little "light".

Other info - trailer hooked - 5660;. trailer alone - 6480

One thing I did not see mentioned is getting the ball height set correctly. If the ball is too high, so that the trailer is tongue is too high when connected, there will be excess weight on the hitch. If this is the case it is difficult to transfer enough load back to the steer axle without placing excessive tension on the torsion bars.

Level the LOADED trailer while parked on a level/flat surface. Measure the trailer's hitch coupler height above ground, where the top of the hitch ball goes. Then height set the hitch ball ~1" higher. This allows for the tow vehicle to sag about 1" in the rear, and at the same time will allow returning load to the front/steer axle and shifting weight to the trailer axles.

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by A W Warn

One thing I did not see mentioned is getting the ball height set correctly. If the ball is too high, so that the trailer is tongue is too high when connected, there will be excess weight on the hitch. If this is the case it is difficult to transfer enough load back to the steer axle without placing excessive tension on the torsion bars.

Level the LOADED trailer while parked on a level/flat surface. Measure the trailer's hitch coupler height above ground, where the top of the hitch ball goes. Then height set the hitch ball ~1" higher. This allows for the tow vehicle to sag about 1" in the rear, and at the same time will allow returning load to the front/steer axle and shifting weight to the trailer axles.

Level the trailer height when on the ball; Great point!

[2travelers]

Thanks for all the good information. Will be going to 4 links and check all measurements.