Leveling Expedition/Reese dual cam prob...

[Kistler]

My trailer is level but the Expedition is slightly elevated in the front. I would like to have more weight on the front end If anything I prefer the "feline" look... nose down.

Am beginning to think this is impossible--lowering the front end. My Reese dual cam, etc. (it's all Reese stuff) "eccentric" washer is at full rear tilt/cant--number on the washer is (6). Is this impossible because the Expedition has that "swing axle" configuration in the rear--ummmm, sorry, independent suspesion

My tow bars are the 1,000 lb. rated bars. The dealer here in Tucson set the whole thing up, by the way.

What would you suggest to get more weight to the front of the Expedition?

[j54mark]

I am no expert, but it sounds to me as if you need more drop in the hitch ball.

Mark

[Kistler]

To my way of thinking (blink, blink) that will make my problem worse. What do you think about heavier bars? Capable of less bend, I guess is what I mean.

If I lower the hitch, I am even lower in the rear; the trailer is now level. All I want is the front of the Expedition lowered.

Kistler

[Tarheel]

How much load are you putting on the equalizer bars? As you load them you should see the front of the Expedition lower. The loading of the bars shifts the weight from the rear of the truck to the front. Your Reese manual should give some examples of this. My bars show visible spring when attached.

[Kistler]

I don't know how much load but not enough apparently. The "dealer did it" is my excuse and I should have complained but......

Aren't the bars supposed to be parallel to the frame of the trailer under load?

I don't have an instruction book. I think maybe I have weak bars...at least too weak for the "weak kneed" rear of the Expedition.

IF I were to get higher rated bars, would that fix my problem?

Kistler

[Tarheel]

The way I attach my bars is by hooking up the trailer to the truck. Then I raise the jack until I have picked up the back of the truck considerably. I then put on the chain and lift up the cam and lock into place. Then I lower the jack and remove the jack stand. I have either 4-5 links between the cam and the lock. The bars 1000 lb in my case show deflection, but the truck and the trailer are level. Hope this helps.

[j54mark]

Originally Posted by Kistler

To my way of thinking (blink, blink) that will make my problem worse. What do you think about heavier bars? Capable of less bend, I guess is what I mean.

If I lower the hitch, I am even lower in the rear; the trailer is now level. All I want is the front of the Expedition lowered.

Kistler

It seems to me that:
If the trailer is level, then the coupler is where it should be when everything is right. If the front of the truck needs to come down, then the rear must come up (at least a little). If the rear comes up, but the coupler remains in the same point in space, then you must have more drop. Probably very little more, but maybe an inch or two.

Once upon a time I read somewhere about computing the necessary drop. I remember nothing about it now.

1,000 lb. bars are plenty for a 25'.

Mark

[85MH325]

Kistler, how much does the Expedition's rear end drop when the trailer tongue is set onto the ball? You should see it 'squat' a couple of inches without the bars, and it should be level with them. Tarheel's method of installing the bars is what I use. I generally drop five or six links (free). My bars have visible flex in them, and my Excursion is level with the trailer. Taking up another link or two on the WD bars may make a big difference as well. I agree with Mark that is possible that you may need a little more drop in your ball height, and that the 1000 lb bars should be more than enough for a 25'. My bars are 1000lb bars for my 34' with a 900 lb tongue weight.

Roger

[Kistler]

Thank you, everyone! OK, I guess I'll experiment with the drop of one hole and see what happens.

I hate to buy a wrench just for those big nuts. Maybe my pipe wrench will work.

Kistler

[flyfisher]

Kistler -

Well, at least your dealer installed your Reese hitch so that your trailer rides level. The dealer I bought my Airstream from last year (Turner Airstream) installed my Reese HP Dual Cam hitch haphazardly (the weight bars didn't seat properly in the cam arm), the hitch bar was too short for my tow vehicle, my trailer rides higher in the front and lower in the rear, and I still haven't got it fixed.

I made an appointment to get it fixed at Bretz RV (an Airstream dealer) in Missoula, MT last summer, but they were worse than Turner's, and claimed they had never seen a Reese Dual Cam before, if you can believe that!

Anyway, to address your concern, my suggestion would be to get a copy of Reese's hitch installation instructions. They seem to have these instructions available to download from their internet site, however, I was not able to get it to download a week or so ago when I tried. If you have problems like I did, you can probably contact their technical service people by phone or email to get the instructions. The instructions are pretty detailed, and I know others who have followed them step by step with excellent results (not the 2 Airstream dealers I've been to, unfortunately).

After you check the entire hitch installation instructions, you may find that you can't level your Expedition completely - you didn't say how much the front end is elevated. I've always had a slight front end elevation (maybe 1/2") with my F250 Super Duty even when I've had my 1000# spring bars fully loaded.

John

ps - I wouldn't try to take a hitch apart with a pipe wrench! Even if you were able to get it apart, you'd need to re-torque it properly, and I don't think you could do it manually (from memory, I think they require 300# of torque - and you don't want it coming apart when you're towing - if you think your front end is elelated now... )

[wheel interested]

We were told that it jumps from 800-1200 pounds. And I just looked it up now to see about the 1000# bars and don't see them.
http://www.reese-hitches.com/hi_pef_trunnion_bar_wd.htm

We have an Expedition/25'Classic combo and dual cam but our bars are only 800 and we inquired about this because the hitch weight of the 25'Classic is closer to 900#

Can you tell me how the weight of the bars and the tightening or loosening of the chains affect the ride and handling?

Thank you.

[87MH]

Originally Posted by Kistler

..... I guess I'll experiment with the drop of one hole and see what happens....

Kistler:

Below is a link to the PDF on the Reese site for the installation of a trunion bar equalizing hitch.

http://www.reeseprod.com/support/sup...fs/66006IN.pdf

Since you are going to redo it, may I suggest you go to a Cat scale and weigh your rig now, with no equalizing bars, and finally with the new set-up?

A three axel weighing is only about ten bucks, with reweighs only a buck apiece - lots of information can be derived from sequential weighings.

If possible, also get separate weights on your final set-up - just to insure both of the axles are carrying the same load.

[jimmickle]

Reese's instructions are very clear, and easy to follow if you can measure. Download the instructions and follow them, and you will solve your problem. While you are there, e sure to download the instructions for the dual cam installation.

It is likely that the dealer adjusted everything with the trailer empty, and now that you have loaded, you need to increase the load on the spring bars a link or two.

Good luck, and just follow those instructions. If you have problems downloading the instructions, PM me before Monday and I will forward the files. I have them in my computer.

[Tarheel]

Kistler go to http://www.airstream.com/airstream/p.../weights-1.pdf it shows that the ball heigth of your truck should be 18.750". Set your ball as close to this height as you can then adjust using your equalizer bars to bring your truck level.