Reese Trunion Type Weight Distribution Set Up

[mtjim]

Need a picture of a properly Reese Trunion type Weight Distribution set up on an Airstream.

I recently bought the airstream and it came with the WD. The ball hitch was too high for my TV so I have had to buy a new adjustable Ball hitch.

When I Measure my ball height at the lowest setting it's a little over 19" At the next setting up it's a little over 20". After I got the WD system hooked up at the lower setting the truck looks level but the trailer is about two inches lower at the front than at the back. Should I got to the next setting up or what?

Any suggestions?

[thecatsandi]

Send us a picture of your set up......

[azflycaster]

A picture would help. I would raise the hitch one inch and see what it looks like. When everything is adjusted correctly the trailer and the truck should both be level.

[mtjim]

Here the picture. Sorry the camera is not any better.

[azflycaster]

The first thing I see from your picture is that you do not have any bend in your arms. I have basically the same setup and with mine adjusted correctly I attach the 5th chain link to the trailer. You need to have about an inch of bend in the bars for them to work correctly. Take a look at the file I am attaching. It goes step by step through all of the adjustments. You may need to do this several times to get everything correct. Height of the ball, angle of the ball and deflection of the bars all need to be considered.

[thecatsandi]

Now take one of the entire truck and trailer directly back from the ball.

[mtjim]

Ok here's the entire rig.

Disregard the bumper angle - the receiver hitch is not connected to the bumper in any way but rather to the frame like it's supposed to be.

[HowieE]

As noted above it looks like you have No weight transferred by the fact that the bars have no deflection in them.

Set up the system again with these considerations.

Make sure you are on a level pavement for both TV and trailer combination.

Drive onto the pavement while towing the trailer straight for at least 75 ft.

Use the trailer brakes to stop the combination, this insure things are straight.

Disconnect the trailer.

Measure the height of both truck fenders right up through the center line of the wheels. It help to put a piece of masking tape on the fender and marking the measurement point on the tape. Record the measurements.

Hitch up and measure the fender heights again. Both measurements should drop. Generally I look for a 60 40 ratio with the rear fender dropping more than the front fender. This will depend on spring ratios of the truck put the important consideration is you want to see a drop in the front fender.

If adjustments are required either take up a chain link and remeasure or tilt the head back and remeasure.

If things do not fall into place, and you would have to be very lucky for that to happen, make adjustments. This is not a 5 min. job so don't start this in the sun.

When done you want the trailer tongue higher than the rear and weight on the front axle of the truck. The reason I mention the height of the trailer tongue as being higher is with the Airstream axles not being self equalizing you want to insure you are not reducing the tongue weight by having shifted weight to the rear of the trailer.

If after you have completed the set up and you find you have trailer sway you should consider getting a duel cam sway control system. If you do install a duel cam system the set up is much the same except that when finished you have to be sure the trailing arms are seated while the combination is straight. This may require reentry onto the pavement and checking things again because misaligned cams will change the WD effects of the system.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by mtjim

Ok here's the entire rig.

Disregard the bumper angle - the receiver hitch is not connected to the bumper in any way but rather to the frame like it's supposed to be.

From your photo, I see two things that are very "unhealthy."

The first is you should use a sway control. Your truck has "no" magic that can keep you out of a sway.

Secondly, it looks like the rear springs of the truck have been jacked up. That totally defeats the purpose of a load equalizing hitch.

Andy

[mtjim]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

From your photo, I see two things that are very "unhealthy."

The first is you should use a sway control. Your truck has "no" magic that can keep you out of a sway.

Secondly, it looks like the rear springs of the truck have been jacked up. That totally defeats the purpose of a load equalizing hitch.

Andy

Andy,

Thanks for your comments.

I just didn't have the sway bar installed when I took the pictures. As to the truck having been jacked up - it's just like it came from the factory.

Jim

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by mtjim

Andy,

Thanks for your comments.

I just didn't have the sway bar installed when I took the pictures. As to the truck having been jacked up - it's just like it came from the factory.

Jim

Without a good description of what truck you have, it appears from your photo that the load level torsion arms are useless, because of the excessive suspension rate on the truck.

Andy

[Mikethefixit]

The way I got around a too high hitch (22" in) was purchase a BLUE OX 4" drop and inserted in the receiver and then inserted the hitch. I don't need it any more since I put new axles under the trailer and raised it 4'" Ill ship it to ya.
Roger

[Action]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Without a good description of what truck you have, it appears from your photo that the load level torsion arms are useless, because of the excessive suspension rate on the truck.

Andy

Based on the pic and the rear axle hub and the exhaust pipe tips

This is a pre-1997 Ford F250 4X4, likely a heavy 3/4 ton with a big block gas engine, 460 I am guessing. It would have rear anti-lock brakes as standard and the rear end has not been lifted. It was designed to handle big loads. Huge loads.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

[mtjim]

Originally Posted by Mikethefixit

The way I got around a too high hitch (22" in) was purchase a BLUE OX 4" drop and inserted in the receiver and then inserted the hitch. I don't need it any more since I put new axles under the trailer and raised it 4'" Ill ship it to ya.
Roger

I appreciate the offer but I think I'm gonna be allright when I get this one adjusted. I've got some time today to work on it so am anticipating that it's all gonna shape up today.

Again Thanks for the generous offer!

Jim

[Action]

How does it tow with out the bars?

>>>>>>>>>>>Action

[mtjim]

Tows Great!

I pulled it from Ga. to Missouri after I bought it -about 850 miles without a single problem. No sway or anything.

That's been my experience with this truck. Before the current trailer I had a 31ft Land Yacht and I pulled it with no WD setup and never had a problem.

Since this WD outfit came with the latest trailer I thought I'd give it a try.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by mtjim

Tows Great!

I pulled it from Ga. to Missouri after I bought it -about 850 miles without a single problem. No sway or anything.

That's been my experience with this truck. Before the current trailer I had a 31ft Land Yacht and I pulled it with no WD setup and never had a problem.

Since this WD outfit came with the latest trailer I thought I'd give it a try.

How a trailer "realy" handles when pulled without using a weight distributing hitch, can "ONLY" be done by riding in the very rear of the trailer at 60 mph.

False sense of security comes from the drivers seat.

This statement comes from tests done in 1970.

Andy

[Action]

The purpose of a WD hitch is to transfer some towed weight (from the tongue of the trailer) from the rear of the towed vehicle to the front of the towed vehicle. (TV) This is to even out the tongue weight of the trailer on the TV. So the TV's rear end does not drag. YOu do not have this typical issue towing, as you are not towing any where near the limit.

Your TV was designed to take a ton of weight on the rear. Literally!

If you want to use the set up to reduce sway, that is another matter. However the WD part of your hitch set up is not necessary. In fact by transferring more weight to the forward portion of the TV you may create a problem.

Based on your pics and description, you do want to level the trailer. Or bring the front of the trailer up in the hitched up postion.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

[Mikethefixit]

mtjim
I know this trailer is new to U and Far be it from to rain on your parade.
If I were U I'd paid particular attend to those axles on the trailer. Crawl under and scope out those arms. That was the problem I had with the truck being to high, was the rubber in the axles was shot.When I changed axles on the trailer it raised it 4 inches at least. Thats why I dont need the 4 inch BLUE OX drop anymore. The trailer pulls alot different also, smoother and alot better ride up front.
GOOD LUCK TO U
Roger