How to Adjust Weight Distribution Hitch to Reduce Truck/Trailer Porpoising

Updated 05/02/2018 | Published 05/01/2018

Products Featured in This Question

Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System w/ 4-Point Sway Control - 10,000 lbs GTW, 1,000 lbs TW

(840)

$705.88

Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System w/ 4-Point Sway Control - 12,000 lbs GTW, 1,200 lbs TW

(840)

$863.11

Question:

My trailer/TV is porpoising... i have the equalizer 4 WD hitch set up on my 2018 F250 4x4 pulling a 33ft Outback TT. I read another answer on your sight that said: Most of the time when a tow setup is porpoising with a weight distribution system all you have to do is add a bit more spring bar tension to minimize the porpoising. With an Equalizer system you would need to angle the spring bars down further to add the additional tension.inch To angle the spring bars down farther, do you mean down toward the trailer or toward the tow vehicle? It seems that if the fix is more tension on the bars, I would raise the bracket on the trailer? yes?? lowering the bracket would put less tension...correct? Thanks in advance for your help.

asked by: Anthony M

Expert Reply:

Weight distribution spring bar tension can be increased by tilting the head toward the trailer so that the ends of the spring bars are closer to the ground. Once connected to the lift brackets this increased angle translates into more tension, which shifts more trailer tongue weight (TW) forward onto the tow vehicle's front axle. This is usually the best fix for a porpoising travel trailer.

I also recommend checking your trailer's actual fully-loaded TW, with all gear and supplies in place, water and propane tanks filled, etc. This actual TW can be easily and accurately measured using a scale like # e99044. To your actual measured TW you will need to add the weight of any cargo in the F-250 that sits behind the rear axle, say a generator or loaded cooler. This cargo weight has to be accounted for since it will appear to the WD system to be tongue weight.

Ideally your total TW figure will fall in the middle of the operating range for the system you use. For instance, the Equal-I-zer system # EQ37100ET works over a TW range of 600- to 1000-lbs so it would be ideal for a total TW of 800-lbs. System # EQ37120ET is rated higher, 800- to 1200-lbs, and so would be perfect for an actual total TW of 1000-lbs.

Please note that it is possible to replace just the spring bars of these systems to increase or decrease their weight ratings. All Equal-I-zer spring bars sets are linked for you along with some helpful information on WD systems.

expert reply by: Adam R