Ensuring your Hitch Travel Trailer is correctly set up is paramount for safe and enjoyable journeys. A properly configured weight distribution hitch is the key to achieving level towing, optimal handling, and minimizing sway. This guide, drawing upon the expertise of seasoned RVers like Les Adams, provides a comprehensive walkthrough to help you set up your hitch for a travel trailer effectively.
Understanding the Importance of a Weight Distribution Hitch
Towing a hitch travel trailer places significant weight on the rear axle of your tow vehicle. This can lead to several issues, including:
- Sagging Rear End: The rear of your tow vehicle dips down, while the front rises.
- Reduced Steering Control: Less weight on the front tires diminishes steering responsiveness.
- Headlight Aim Issues: поднятый front end can cause headlights to point too high, reducing visibility and potentially blinding oncoming drivers.
- Trailer Sway: Improper weight distribution can exacerbate trailer sway, making towing unstable and dangerous.
A weight distribution (WD) hitch system addresses these problems by distributing the trailer’s tongue weight across all axles of the tow vehicle and the trailer itself. This results in a level ride height, restored steering control, improved braking, and enhanced stability for your hitch travel trailer setup.
Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up Your Weight Distribution Hitch
This procedure is adapted from the guidelines provided by experienced RVers and hitch manufacturers, ensuring your hitch travel trailer is set up for optimal towing performance.
1. Preliminary Measurements (Unhitched)
- Level Ground: Park your tow vehicle and hitch travel trailer on a level surface.
- Unhitch: Disconnect the trailer from the tow vehicle.
- Measure Truck Wheel Wells: Measure the distance from the ground to the top of the wheel well openings on both the front and rear of your tow vehicle. Record these measurements. These are your “unhitched heights.”
- Level the Trailer: Use the tongue jack of your hitch travel trailer to level it. Measure the height from the ground to the bottom of the trailer frame at both the front and rear. Adjust the tongue jack until these measurements are equal.
- Measure Coupler Height: Measure from the ground to the inside top of the trailer’s ball coupler. Record this measurement.
2. Initial Hitch Ball Height Adjustment
- Set Ball Height: Adjust the height of the hitch ball on your tow vehicle’s hitch head to be approximately 1/2 to 1 inch lower than the coupler height you just measured. This is a starting point and may require further adjustment.
3. Hitching and Measuring Front End Rise
- Hitch the Trailer: Connect the hitch travel trailer to the tow vehicle, but do not engage the weight distribution bars yet.
- Measure Front Wheel Well (Hitched, No WD): Measure the front wheel well height again.
- Calculate Front End Rise: Subtract the initial “unhitched front height” from this new “hitched front height.” This difference is your “front end RISE.”
4. Engaging Weight Distribution Bars and Adjustment
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Engage WD Bars: Now, engage the weight distribution bars of your hitch system, applying tension according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
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Measure Wheel Wells (Hitched, With WD): Measure the front and rear wheel well heights again with the weight distribution bars engaged.
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Adjust WD Tension: The goal is to return the front wheel well height close to its original “unhitched height.” Different vehicle and hitch manufacturers have slightly different recommendations:
- Ford (2011+ Trucks): Aim to eliminate about 50% of the initial front end RISE.
- Ford (SUVs): Return the front bumper to within 1/2 inch of the unhitched height.
- Equal-i-zer (2010+): Eliminate at least 50% of the front end rise.
- GMC: Eliminate 100% of the front end rise.
- Curt Manufacturing: Front wheel opening at the original uncoupled dimension or slightly lower. Rear slightly lower than unhitched height.
- Reese (2009): Final front end height less than or equal to the unhitched height.
- Eaz-lift: Front and back of towing vehicle settle the same amount or up to an inch lower in the back.
- Toyota: Return the front axle weight (or fender height) to the same as before trailer connection. Do not reduce below original.
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Iterate: If the front end is still too high, increase tension on the WD bars. You may need to adjust the tilt of the hitch head to achieve more tension. If the front end is too low (unlikely), reduce tension.
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Chain Link Adjustment: Adjust the number of chain links connecting the WD bars to the snap-up brackets to fine-tune tension. Aim for approximately 5-6 chain links remaining between the snap-up plates and the bars when under tension (refer to your hitch manufacturer’s recommendations).
5. Trailer Leveling
- Adjust Ball Height (for Trailer Level): Once the weight distribution is correctly adjusted (front end height is optimized), fine-tune the hitch ball height on the shank to level the hitch travel trailer. Ideally, the trailer should be level. If perfect level isn’t achievable, slightly nose-down is preferable.
6. Final Checks
- Wheel Well Measurements: After all adjustments, re-measure the wheel well heights to confirm they are within the desired range.
- WD Bar Angle:
- Round Bars: Should be level or parallel to the ground and trailer A-frame when under tension.
- Trunnion Bars: Should slant downwards slightly towards the rear when under tension.
- Clearance: Ensure there is adequate clearance between the weight distribution bars and any trailer components, especially during turns.
- Minimum Chain Links: Verify you have at least the minimum recommended chain links (typically 5) under tension to prevent binding.
Image: Diagram showing the “5 links” minimum requirement for a Reese Trunnion Bar Weight Distribution setup, highlighting the chain links bolted to the end of the spring bar.
Image: Illustration detailing the “5 links” minimum for a Round Bar Weight Distribution setup, emphasizing the importance of chain link count for spring bar connection.
Image: Draw-Tite instructions explaining the “5 links” minimum requirement for weight distribution hitch snap-up brackets to prevent binding.
Special Considerations for Reese Dual Cam HP Sway Control
When using a Reese Dual Cam HP sway control system with your weight distribution hitch, there are specific points to consider, particularly regarding the “5 links” rule and clearance.
The “5 Links” Rule and Dual Cam Systems:
The minimum of 5 chain links is crucial not only for preventing spring bar binding (as with standard WD hitches) but also for ensuring adequate clearance between the spring bar and the cam yoke in the Dual Cam system. Insufficient clearance can lead to binding and potentially damage the cam bar during sharp turns.
Clearance is Key:
Aim for 6-7 links (or even 8 if possible and ground clearance allows) under load when using a Dual Cam system. This provides the necessary clearance between the spring bar and cam yoke to prevent binding, especially during compound angle turns.
Image: Side view illustrating the clearance required in a Reese Dual Cam setup during a turn, highlighting the spring bar and cam yoke relationship.
Image: Close-up of a Reese Trunnion Keeper Chain setup, demonstrating the chain link connection and its role in maintaining proper tension and clearance.
Image: Annotated image of a Reese hitch setup, pointing out key components and their relationships for proper weight distribution and sway control.
Image: Top-down view showcasing the clearance between the spring bar and cam yoke in a Reese Dual Cam system, emphasizing the importance of shimming for adequate space.
Image: Example hitch setup with 7 links under load, demonstrating optimal clearance and setup for a Reese Dual Cam system on a hitch travel trailer.
Dual Cam U-Bolt Orientation:
Ensure the U-bolts on the Dual Cam hanger brackets are oriented correctly. For flat hanger brackets, the threaded ends should face outwards. For hanger brackets with a bend, the threads should face inwards. Always refer to your specific Dual Cam system’s instructions.
Image: Diagram illustrating the correct U-bolt orientation for a Reese Dual Cam keeper plate, highlighting the importance of facing the U-bolt ends outward for flat hanger brackets.
Conclusion: Towing with Confidence
Properly setting up your weight distribution hitch for your hitch travel trailer is an essential step for safe and comfortable RVing. By following these guidelines and paying attention to the specific recommendations for your hitch and tow vehicle, you can ensure a level, stable, and controlled towing experience. Remember to always consult your hitch and vehicle owner’s manuals for detailed instructions and safety information. Regular checks and adjustments are also recommended to maintain optimal towing performance of your hitch travel trailer setup.
