Spacer Washers and Bolt Coming Loose From WD System After Backing Up Trailer

Updated 03/22/2018 | Published 03/21/2018

Question:

The first of the year we picked up our TT from a well known sales company.Being new to towing we did not know what to expect, We pulled it home some 50 miles no problem. Took it out to practice backing a few times, The last time out noticed alot of sway a little windy out so I thought that was the issue. When I got it home took sway bars off noticed a lot of wear on the L brackets mostly passenger side close to Trailer.Then I looked at Hitch Head the spacer washers were loose and the Angle set bolt was not even finger tight I called Service Dept where this was installed and found I could put back to specs but had to loosen 3/4 inch bolt and tighten to 250 ftlbs to my surprise the nuts on both bolts were very loose. Question is this a common situation I have less than 100 miles on this system does my practicing backing up cause the bolts to work loose?

asked by: Jerry H

Expert Reply:

Most weight distribution systems will allow you to back up with the spring bars still connected, however you will want to make sure to stay in a relatively straight line. If the angle of your Silverado and trailer get any more severe than just a slight turn, it is best to disconnect the spring bars before proceeding. It sounds like you may have backed up at a bit more of an angle than the system could take, which is why some of the components like the spacer washers and bolt came loose. I also recommend making sure the spring bars themselves are still in good condition.

If you made sure to back up in a relatively straight line and this still occurred, the only other cause I think of is that the system is a bit under-rated for your total tongue weight. You will want to make sure that the total tongue weight of your setup, which includes both the loaded tongue weight of the trailer plus any added cargo weight coming from behind the rear axle of your truck, falls somewhere near the middle of the operating range for your weight distribution system.

If you still experience issues with the system, please let me know and I will be happy to help you further.

expert reply by: Chris R