Secrets of Lifting Trunnion Bars

[md11flyer]

Just noticed this thread and all good advice. My input is there are a couple of youtube videos that show exactly how this technique of using the jack to lift the coupler works. I cannot agree more with the suggestions to use gloves (work gloves) and stay out of the way of the lifting bar if it should perchance slip. It will! I know!!

[m.hony]

I have an Equal-i-zer. I usually leave the bars in the L brackets when parked. I took them out and laid them on the ground Saturday to adjust and tighten the brackets. Sunday, when I went to pick them up to put them on, I dropped on on my finger. That hurt!

[The Ice Man]

Originally Posted by mcgintyrch

I would greatly appreciate any secrets you may have to raising trunnion bars of weight distribution hitches into place. I am still a newbie at this and do all my hitching, etc., solo. I still find the tension trunnion bars a bit intimidating. Perhaps, I'm overlooking the obvious. Should I lift the trailer as high as possible? Coupled or uncoupled to the tow vehicle?

Thanks for any sharing from the "Book of Secrets" of all you Airstreamers!

Susanne and the red kids
2009 23' Ocean Breeze
2008 Yukon XL
Drawtite Hitch 800 lb bars

I'm new to the site so maybe this is covered elsewhere - guidance appreciated.

On the Reese site they also suggest raising the Jack to decrease the angle of the bar and the TT frame to make hookup easier, as everyone here does.

One point no one has mentioned: Proper trunnion bar adjustment by measuring the truck wheelwell heights before and after the barss are adjusted. If the differences in the before and after heights are the same front and rear on the TV, you've properly transferred the weight to the front axle in proportion to the weight left on the rear axle. On my Ram 2500 & 27FB the proper hookup results in one inch drop in each of the front and rear wheelwell heights. This was achieved by trial and error, counting links and then measuring wheelwell delta on a nice level surface..

[Inland RV Center, In]

You really don't need any bar or pipe.

In fact you can engage the torsion bars, with just one hand.

How?? Easy !!

Lock the coupler to the ball. With the tongue jack, lift the front end of the trailer "high".

Then simply engage the bars.

Then lower the jack.

I did that for many years, and never needed a pipe or extension handle.

Andy

[m.hony]

What he said.
I have an Equal-i-zer and never "lift" the bars.
I raise the truck 'n' trailer with the tongue jack. I remove the pins and slide the bars back in the L brackets and leave them there.
When I hook up again, I lift the truck 'n' trailer with the tongue jack and slide the bars into the hitch head and put in the pins. It's so easy I hesitate to get a ProPride even though I want one...