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Old 04-08-2016, 03:30 PM   #1
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Weight Distribution - Help??

I bought my 2016 Flying Cloud 20 in February. I had a different truck then and the WD system was just fine. I have since upgraded to a newer truck and now the round bars are within an inch of the road.

I took it in to the dealer here in Colorado this week and they adjusted the height of the hitch, measured the truck and trailer together and said everything is fine. Problem is that I am still within an inch of the road and even dragged one of the bars at a cross street.

Any ideas on how I can remedy this? Thanks for your assistance!!
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Old 04-08-2016, 03:59 PM   #2
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Something is radically wrong. The bars that close to the ground is a hazard, I don't have an answer for you except to say that dealer is negligent in saying it's fine. What about your tongue weight? What is your truck & are springs & shocks ok?
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Old 04-08-2016, 04:19 PM   #3
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The tongue weight is fine. Once the trailer and truck are hooked up with the weight distribution system everything is level and measures fine and level....just the bars too close to the ground.
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Old 04-08-2016, 04:23 PM   #4
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How were the bars with your former truck?
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Old 04-08-2016, 04:31 PM   #5
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Some photo's would help a lot...close-up of the hitch & distant of the rig...on LEVEL ground.

Weight tickets and/or wheelhouse measurements along with TV receiver & tongue height un-hitched would also help.

Bob
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Old 04-08-2016, 04:32 PM   #6
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The bars were fine with the former truck.
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Old 04-08-2016, 04:33 PM   #7
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I will get out this weekend and hook everything up and take some photos....this is perplexing.
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Old 04-09-2016, 08:20 AM   #8
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I'm guessing that the head of the hitch is angled back towards the trailer too much.

What WD system do you have?
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Old 04-09-2016, 09:05 AM   #9
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Yes! Photos + the brand/model of the hitch and your truck will help us in helping you.
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Old 04-09-2016, 09:54 AM   #10
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Interesting problem.
Sounds like the receiver is positioned lower on the new truck.
What is the distance from the ground to the bottom of the receiver on the new truck vs the old?
Taller tires can help raise the receiver. Extreme example, 16" vs 33" diameter tires will raise the receiver several inches. However will cause other issues, speedometer will need re-calibrating, side wall profile flex, etc.
In my opinion you should not have to do this.
What is the make and model of old truck, new truck?
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Old 04-09-2016, 10:50 AM   #11
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Get your ball height to around 18 1/2 to 19 1/2, and check the "tilt" of the ball...if it's angled back (away) from the rear of the truck that's one example of why the bars are so close to the pavement...

For whatever it's worth.

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Old 04-09-2016, 11:16 AM   #12
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sway hitch advice

i'm in the market for a sway hitch device, any thoughts on this one? #1 rated on Amazon ... Thanks


http://www.amazon.com/Eaz-Lift-48058...A7H5JWAH4KHHP8
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Old 04-09-2016, 11:43 AM   #13
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Been around forever. Safe and effective when installed and set-up properly.

Certainly not as effective regarding sway as a Hensley or ProPride but roughly 15% of the cost and a third of the weight.

Mike
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Old 04-09-2016, 04:02 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nickclifford View Post
i'm in the market for a sway hitch device, any thoughts on this one? #1 rated on Amazon ... Thanks


http://www.amazon.com/Eaz-Lift-48058...A7H5JWAH4KHHP8
Basically the same thing I have from Curt Mfg., except mine is the next level up in capacity. I like it very much. Works very well on our 34' Avion.
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Old 04-09-2016, 04:15 PM   #15
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We have the EXACT same issue to include a trip to the dealer for the measurements. I have dragged the bars on so many minor dips that I bent the U bolts holding the chains on. BO replaced the bolts, but the problem remains. I will be replacing the dealer installed hitch asap. Let us know how you fix it. I am having my replacement done by a trusted shop.

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Old 04-09-2016, 04:16 PM   #16
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Nick,
This is the hitch of choice by Andy Thomson of CanAm RV, a real pro at WDH set ups. The only difference is Andy recommends 1400 lb. torsion bars if you've pulling with a truck like an F-150, because the wheelbase is so long that strength bars are needed to transfer appropriate weight to the front wheels. He also suggests combining the Eaz-Lift with Husky friction sway bars. I believe him...
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Old 04-11-2016, 06:29 AM   #17
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I contacted the dealer who sold me the Airstream and WD system. They recommended hooking the truck and trailer together. Then, raising the trailer so that there is a "slight" pitch between it and the truck. Then, install the WD bars. It worked fine when I did that. After lowering the two, they measured at level and the round part of the bars are now 9 inches off of the ground.
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Old 04-11-2016, 08:08 AM   #18
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Thumbs up

Am I understanding correctly?.....

You did NOT have your bars under tension originally?

The dealer suggestion is the best way to set the bars with very little effort.....raise the tongue, set the bars and lower.

Bob
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Old 04-11-2016, 09:17 AM   #19
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Steve how about posting some photos of your setup?
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Old 04-11-2016, 01:39 PM   #20
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I originally had them under tension correctly. The dealer had to remind me that they showed me the procedure I outlined above when I was there in February buying the Airstream. I traveled from Arizona back to Colorado that way. Unfortunately, I did not take the Airstream out again until last week and had forgotten raising the truck and trailer together. Once they reminded me, it worked fine. I am so thankful that's what it took to solve the problem.
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