Reese WD & dual cam chain setup

[Safari64]

Ok, I bought the Reese WD hitch & dual cam sway setup, glad I did. Thanks for the help sorting it out. It mounted fine.

Which link in the chain should be used?

Does it change depending on tow vehicle, AS weight , which link makes TV level, etc?
Instructions simply state: Pull chain vertical and place link on hook of snap up bracket.

Thanks, Safari64

[wildcat455]

I have the same Reese hitch, love it. I use the 5th or 6th link on the chain. The more links the more weight you are shifting toward the front axle of the tow vehicle. I played around until both trailer and tow vehicle were perfectly aligned and level.

[Gunnyusmc]

You use as many or few links as needed too get tow vehicle and trailer level.

Don

[Gunnyusmc]

You use as many or few as needed too level trailer and tow vehicle.
Adjust by trial and error.

Don

[davidh]

I also use the 5th link on mine. thats what the hitch company that I bought from said to use, and I also haul a 800 lb Harley Davidson in the box of the truck. truck and trailer are nice and leval, from ground to fender wheel well the front sit's 1" lower than the rear when in the 5th link.

[driftwood]

Try THIS link. It has good intercourse.

[Steve Heywood]

It's a bit more complex than just getting the rig level. With regards to the Dual-Cam I think Reese assumes that your basic hitch is adjusted correctly BEFORE you install the Dual-Cam unit.

If you look on my photo page you'll see a photo of a correctly adjusted Reese HP Trunnion hitch with a Dual-Cam.

[CanoeStream]

What are you saying??? Intrasectionalitypersonalizingwha?

Anyway... Safari 64, assuming you have the top of the hitch ball adjusted to the height specified for your trailer (do you have the manual..?), post a photo of your TV & trailer from the side on this thread with about 4 or 5 links engaged. Then PM Jack Canavera and ask him to comment. Capiche?

[jimmickle]

I recommend that you follow the reese instructions for setting ball height, head angle and dual cam link location. The complete instructions can be downloaded from the reese site, www.reeseprod.com
Be sure to measure accurately and you should have no problems. Don't depend on Airstream's dimension for ball height. Get the trailer level and measure it yourself. Airstream's dimension was almost two (2) inches off on my 2002 Safari!

[CanoeStream]

Good one Jim -- Also... without the trailer hitched, measure to the top of the wheel well sheet metal over front & back tires on your tow vehicle. When WD is properly distributing weight to the front wheels, the TV should settle relatively evenly after the trailer is hitched & WD is engaged. For instance if it is 27"at front and 29" at the back to the measure point before hitch & WD is engaged, and then is 25.5" and 27.5" front and back after -- you'd be balancing this out properly. Am I making this clear?

My GMC manual maybe explains that better. Ask back at this thread and I'll run grab it and explain it in their terms too if you need.

[overlander64]

Greetings Safari64!

Something else that comes into play with the Reese Dual Cam setup is selection of the proper weight distribution bar rating, particularly if your tow vehicle is has heavy duty suspension. When I tow my '78 Minuet (3,200 pounds maximum Gross Weight/550 pounds gross hitch weight) with the K2500 Suburban, I utilize a pair of 350 pound weight distribution bars from my days with a special light-weight Reese setup from the 1980s -- without these lighter bars, it was virtually impossible to get enough tension on the Dual Cam system for it to operate properly (I have 600 pound weight distribution bars that I utilize when towing with the Cadillac). I would echo the suggestions to utilize the Reese setup instructions when adjusting the tension on the weight distribution bars.

I am sure that you will enjoy your Dual Cam System once it is completely adjusted!

Kevin

[davidh]

Here check this site out read thru it and you will understand how to set it up,
http://site.drawtite.com/WeightDistr...wayControl.pdf

[Safari64]

Thanks for the help.
Yes Norm it's Walter, confused again. But getting ready to roll if spring ever arrives. You guys helped me sort it out, again.

Manual?? What manual? No really, what is proper height for trailer tongue for 64 Safari? “Level” or an actual measurement?

I downloaded (and read) the Reese/Drawtite instructions. I leveled the trailer and measured to top of ball socket. It all makes sense now. Chain link #5. TV front/rear within ¼”.

I was having a hard time leveling out trailer and TV, but duh, the Safari is sitting on 3 inches solid ice and TV isn't, its on 1.5” packed snow. I’ll remeasure/tighten everything on solid/ flat before hitting highways.

Perhaps I should try reading the instructions before I fly the Cessna again, eh?

If only the 9 grizzly bears we GPS collared this year came with instructions! Or a forum!!

What do you use to lube trunnions/hitch ball? or do you?

Thanks for the help,
Walter

[C Johnson]

Originally Posted by driftwood

Try THIS link. It has good intercourse.

HUH !?!?

[davidh]

Yes I grease the ball with regular grease from my grease gun.. Then I wipe off after I unhook otherwise I forget about the grease and it makes for a mess on my pants or someone elses.

[Safari64]

Thanks, Whats used to lube trunnion (oil?) and cam?

[85MH325]

If you are willing to spend the $6, Reese makes a recommended hitch ball lube in a small squeeze bottle that I just carry on the tongue of my trailer. It's not as messy as a grease gun and is really handy. Regarding the trunnion bar/cam lube... they work by friction. You don't want to lube them. If the noise is bad, Reese recommends using a very slight amount of vaseline to quiet them, but never use grease. Grease reduces friction and your sway system fails to function without it!

Roger

[jimmickle]

Originally Posted by Safari64

Manual?? What manual? No really, what is proper height for trailer tongue for 64 Safari? “Level” or an actual measurement?

I downloaded (and read) the Reese/Drawtite instructions. I leveled the trailer and measured to top of ball socket. It all makes sense now. Chain link #5. TV front/rear within ¼”.

Use the actual measurement from coupler to ground with the trailer on a flat surface. Level it by making the distance from frame to ground the same front and rear. Then set your ball height accordingly. The information from Airstream on ball height should NOT be used as the many things about each trailer that change (loading, axle droop, tire size, etc) make this dimension useless for proper setup.

Sounds like you have it set up better than 95% of the people out there. Once you know how it really should be, it is amazing how many poorly setup rigs you see.

I got new, galvanized, chain just the correct length so I don't have to count links. Just hook in the top link.

Reese has ball lube that doesn't run. A little dab will do you. I use it on the trunions too. The thing that you don't want to do is overlube the ball so that the lube goes down to the base of the ball. If it does, it can work it's way into the threads and cause the nut to loosen!

Good Job!

Jim

[jimmickle]

I agree, don't lube the cam surface with anythiing but a touch of vaseline if the noise gets too bad. I do, however, lube lighty where the spring bar meets the hitch head to prevent wear of the hitch head.

[Boondocker]

Originally Posted by Safari64

...........If only the 9 grizzly bears we GPS collared this year came with instructions! .............
Walter

want to tell us more about this?