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09-19-2016, 12:11 AM
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#1
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Rivet Master
1972 31' Sovereign
Currently Looking...
felton
, California
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 692
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Advice on my hitch set up please! Can you look at his pic and tell me if this okay?
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09-19-2016, 01:49 AM
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#2
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2 Rivet Member
1992 25' Excella
Orange County
, New York
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 33
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As long as the trailer and truck are both level while loaded, you're good.
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09-19-2016, 02:09 AM
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#3
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4 Rivet Member
1991 25' Excella
Stanfield
, Oregon
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 317
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Find some scales that's the best way to figure it out. They don't need to be cat scales any Dot scales well work but cat scales are fine too. Ideally your front axle weight well be the same as unhooked and the rear axle won't exceed its rating.
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09-19-2016, 11:25 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
1972 31' Sovereign
Currently Looking...
felton
, California
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 692
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Can you you explain that for a dummy , new to this. Find a scale station .. Drive truck and trailer to weigh together or just trailer assume, can't quite wrap head around this !
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09-20-2016, 01:39 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1978 31' Excella 500
Genoa
, Nevada
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,554
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That hitch does severely reduce the ground clearance the fellow can drive over by a whopping lot. I assume that is "what you gotta have" but my gosh, he can't drive over a pebble now, let alone any rocks.
__________________
I admit to being powerless over housecleaning and social niceities
Airforums 22655 and now, WBCCI 22655
NevadaGeo
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09-20-2016, 02:15 AM
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#6
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Silver Spud
1975 31' Sovereign
Twin Falls
, Idaho
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 65
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Only using the pics as a basis, it looks as though the trailer is level as hitched to the Tundra. IMHO I think you have a good setup. Do not discount the low center of gravity of an Airstream. Your setup is sufficient to tow anywhere. I have a 75 Sovereign that I have placed where newbies would be afraid to park their tow vehicle. Bear in mind that what you read on any forum is worth a grain of salt. That said Airstream is the best no matter what year. I have a vintage that cost as much as a new one to restore, but will never trade no matter what.
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09-20-2016, 02:27 AM
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#7
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Silver Spud
1975 31' Sovereign
Twin Falls
, Idaho
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 65
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NevadaGeo
That hitch does severely reduce the ground clearance the fellow can drive over by a whopping lot. I assume that is "what you gotta have" but my gosh, he can't drive over a pebble now, let alone any rocks.
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I have the same hitch on a 75 Sovereign and have gone down a dirt, two track, and at least a 75% grade, while dragging the rear in order to reach the best site. Wally designed these trailers to do just that. The rear tail is designed to slide over obstacles and continue the adventure no matter the incline.
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09-20-2016, 03:02 AM
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#8
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4 Rivet Member
1991 25' Excella
Stanfield
, Oregon
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 317
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That style wd hitch does greatly reduce ground clearance. Which is why I don't use it. But they do work well if the ground clearance isn't an issue.
This link covers the basics of wd hitchs I hope this helps.
https://www.etrailer.com/faq-weightdistribution.aspx
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09-20-2016, 07:38 AM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1988 25' Excella
1987 32' Excella
Knoxville
, Tennessee
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,095
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I have pulled out 32' with a similar setup. I also have pulled out 25' many miles with a similar setup. On the 32 the place the ground clearance is a problem is at the rear of the trailer. In many, many miles with the 2 trailers I do not think I have hit the ground with the WD bars. I have had clearance problems backing the longer trailer into a uphill campsite.
With the scales: Go through with the trailer hitched and weigh each axle. Then drop the trailer there in the parking lot and go back across with just the truck. Comparing the loaded and unloaded weights will give you the load the trailer is adding to the front and rear truck axle. You want the front axle of the truck to be carrying somewhere near as much weight with the trailer hitched as without it.
My 32 is slightly subject to tail wiggling when not hitched right.
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09-20-2016, 07:49 AM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2002 30' Classic S/O
Fleming Island
, Florida
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,667
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Looking at the trailer tires in the wheel well I wonder if the trailer itself is too low. Just a thought as I am not familiar with that particular trailer.
Al
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2002 Classic 30 Slideout -S/OS #004
2013 Dodge 2500 Laramie 4x4 Megacab Cummins
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09-20-2016, 08:01 AM
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#11
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Rivet Master
2000 25' Safari
Davidson County
, NC Highlands County, FL
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,493
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Looking at your photos, to me, one looks level and one looks like the tongue is low. The only way to tell if the trailer is level is to measure. Go to a large flat paved parking lot and measure. If the tongue is low move the ball mount up one hole.
A perfectly level trailer is ideal. If the tongue is low there will be slightly more weight on the front trailer axle and this shifts the pivot point forward. If the tongue is high there will be slightly more weight on the rear axle and shift the pivot point rearward. If you cannot get it level it is better to be slightly high. Pivot point forward will contribute to sway because there is more length and weight behind the pivot point.
add edit:
Others mentioned weighing, which is extremely important. But, weighing will have no affect on the ground clearance issue you asked about. Weighing is needed for two issues: 1. to make sure no part of ether vehicle is overloaded and 2. to see how much weight is transferred off of the rear tow vehicle axle by the weight distribution system.
Keep in mind, if you add tension to the torsion bars, hitch weight is transferred off of the rear axle from the hitch load. So adding tension can make the tongue of the trailer and rear of the tow vehicle raise.
__________________
Alan
2014 Silverado LTZ 1500 Crew Cab 5.3L maximum trailering package
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09-20-2016, 08:34 AM
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#12
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Rivet Master
Vintage Kin Owner
N/A
, N/A
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 989
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nickclifford
Can you you explain that for a dummy , new to this. Find a scale station .. Drive truck and trailer to weigh together or just trailer assume, can't quite wrap head around this !
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Your rig looks level (to the naked eye), which is good.
As for weighing it, you need 3 passes at a CAT scale:
1) Truck alone
2) Truck and trailer with WDH bars NOT engaged
3) Truck and trailer with WDH bars engaged
The goal is to apply enough tension to WDH bars to return the front axle weight to that measured in step 1 AND make sure rear axle is not overloaded.
As an example, lets assume your front axle weight is 3000# in Step 1. In Step 2, the front axle weight is reduced to 2600#. This means you have a drop of
400# by connecting the trailer. You must restore this 400# to the front axle by cranking the WDH bars. Incrementally add tension to WDH bars and weigh your setup. When the front axle weight is restored to 3000#, you are done.
You must also make sure your rear axle rating is not exceeded. Applying tension to WDH bars helps in here too.
You may have to repeat step 3 multiple times, to fine tune your hitch. Most CAT scales charge a full fee for the first weighing, and an extra $2 for each subsequent weighing.
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09-20-2016, 09:38 AM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2006 25' Safari FB SE
Spokane
, Washington
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,843
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Quote:
Originally Posted by A W Warn
.......
A perfectly level trailer is ideal. If the tongue is low there will be slightly more weight on the front trailer axle and this shifts the pivot point forward. If the tongue is high there will be slightly more weight on the rear axle and shift the pivot point rearward. If you cannot get it level it is better to be slightly high. Pivot point forward will contribute to sway because there is more length and weight behind the pivot point.
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I have been led to believe that this is OPPOSITE what you should do. Level is the goal but slightly down in front is better than high. Maybe we can get some support from those more in the know.
Your set up looks good to me. Weighing helps determine if the hitch is set up properly and returns weight to the steering axle.
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09-20-2016, 11:21 AM
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#14
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Rivet Master
2013 30' Classic
Greenwood
, Mississippi
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 12,111
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My initial knee-jerk reaction based on the first photo:
Looks like there isn't enough tilt angle on the hitch head. Add washers.
Also looks like you could ratchet the chains up link or 2.
__________________
2013 Classic 30 Limited
2007 Silver Toyota Tundra Crew Max Limited 5.7 iForce
2006 Vivid Black Harley-Davidson Road King Classic
1999 Black Nissan Pathfinder LE
TAC #MS-10
WBCCI #1811, Region 6, Unit 56
Airforums #70955
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09-20-2016, 11:28 AM
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#15
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Rivet Master
1999 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Hillsboro
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,406
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Lots of technical explanations... I found this easy for me to understand.
http://www.exploroz.com/Vehicle/Cara...owVehicle.aspx
Nose low on the trailer was nearly disastrous for ones I have Towed over my last 48 years with all types of trailers, cars and trucks. Loaded or not, bow never lower than level.
Our 34' runs about 2" high when rigged.. Truck loaded lowers back of truck. Trailer dips ... But not below 1" above level. When running down road, the dips in truck rear will usually not be long enough to induce instability. All trailers I towed hitch/nose low have been uncomfortable to pull
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Peace and Blessings..
Channing
WBCCI# 30676
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09-20-2016, 11:29 AM
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#16
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Rivet Master
Vintage Kin Owner
N/A
, N/A
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 989
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aftermath
I have been led to believe that this is OPPOSITE what you should do. Level is the goal but slightly down in front is better than high. Maybe we can get some support from those more in the know.
Your set up looks good to me. Weighing helps determine if the hitch is set up properly and returns weight to the steering axle.
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My understanding also is that trailer being a bit nose down is OK, but nose up is not OK, as it increases the chance for fishtailing (due to center of gravity being pushed backwards).
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09-20-2016, 11:31 AM
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#17
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Rivet Master
2013 30' Classic
Greenwood
, Mississippi
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 12,111
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I have found the opposite.
Nose high on my rig rides terrible.
On my particular setup, I cannot get it dead level. One hole up is nose high. One hole down is nose low.
Nose slightly low provides better ride quality on my truck 'n'trailer.
Dead level would be ideal, but I would have to have a custom fabricated hitch shank to make it so.
__________________
2013 Classic 30 Limited
2007 Silver Toyota Tundra Crew Max Limited 5.7 iForce
2006 Vivid Black Harley-Davidson Road King Classic
1999 Black Nissan Pathfinder LE
TAC #MS-10
WBCCI #1811, Region 6, Unit 56
Airforums #70955
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09-20-2016, 12:04 PM
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#18
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Rivet Master
2012 23' FB International
Woodstock
, Ontario
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,423
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Despite all the advice, the ground clearance on the hitch is what it will be no matter what tweaking is done. The hitch bars can take a bit of scraping and you won't be driving over any curb that would impact the hitch head. Nearly every trailer has reduced ground clearance at the WD bars. My Hensley rides at least that low. Have never grounded and I'm not a wussy driver worried about slopes and steep entrances.
It will be fine ...my opinion...of course
JCW
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09-20-2016, 12:10 PM
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#19
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Rivet Master
1999 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Hillsboro
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,406
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M.Hony..
Wow.. Never had that happen to me... But, if that is how it works for you, that's great! After rebuild of our ProPride, I set the height to close level, just a bit low. When I hit 45MPH, the whole thing started wagging.. The whole rig, truck and AS! Violently. I moved up nose high and it works just fine.
__________________
Peace and Blessings..
Channing
WBCCI# 30676
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09-20-2016, 12:16 PM
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#20
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Rivet Master
1991 34' Excella
Princeton
, New Jersey
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,070
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Your trailer is sitting Fine. The biggest single thing that will change that is the conditions of the axles. Looking at the age of the trailer I would check the angle on the trailing arms of the axles. Look under and across to the other side and note the angle of the short arm that leave the axle tube and goes to the spindle for the wheel. New or axles in goo condition that angle will slope downward to the rear. If the angle is level or sloping upwards the axles have lost there oompf. Replacing the axles will raise the trailer and allow you to raise the hitch head and gain ground clearance.
An easy way to check the hitch set up is to, drive onto a flat surface, place a strip of painters tape on the truck fenders above the center line of the wheels. Measure and mark a line on the tape. Now disconnect the trailer and remeasure to those lines. The rear axle measurement will increase due to the reduction of the load. That is normal. The front axle will increase if your hitch is in fact transferring load to it. If the front axle measurement decreases your hitch need adjustment.
There is no standard ratio for thee measurement because of the number of variables involved but you want to see evidence that weight was transferred to the front axle.
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2004 Excursion 4x4
1991 34 ft. Excella +220,000 miles, new laminated flooring, new upholstery, new 3200 lbs axles
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