Adjusting Weight Distribution System to Apply More Tongue Weight to Front Tow Vehicle Axle

Updated 06/11/2013 | Published 06/08/2013

Products Featured in This Question

Curt Short-Arm Weight Distribution System with Sway Control - Trunnion Bar - 10K GTW - 1K TW

(73)

$393.26

Reese Friction Sway Control Kit - Economy - by Draw-Tite, Reese and Hidden Hitch

(486)

$74.53

Question:

I have a 2011 1/2 Chevy Z71 Crew Cab and recently purchased a 32 foot travel trailer which has approx. 900lbs of tongue weight. The weight had the rear of my truck down and the front was jacked up. I just installed a Pro Series 49903, but the rear of my truck still ped 1-3/4in and the front came up 1/2in. I have the ball height right, but I have no idea what adjustment I need to make to the front end of my truck back to normal height. PS. I used 4 washers on the rivet, chain is hooked on 3rd link, and the spring bars look to be parallel with the A frame. Any suggestions you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

asked by: Chris B

Expert Reply:

To determine if you have the correct system for your trailer tongue weight, you should determine the fully loaded and ready to tow tongue weight of your trailer. The weight of any gear stowed behind the rear axle of the tow vehicle also needs to be considered as tongue weight. I have linked you to an FAQ article that shows a few ways to determine the tongue weight. You will need to ensure that the fully loaded and ready to tow tongue weight of your trailer does not exceed the 1,000 lb maximum capacity of the # C17322 system.

If you find that your tongue weight does not exceed the capacity of your system, I would recommend that you start the set-up procedure outlined in the instructions from scratch, for your convenience, I have linked you to the installation/set-up instructions. To increase the weight applied to the front tow vehicle axle, you would need to angle the weight distribution head rearward by adding more washers. It also sounds like you have your chains too tight. There should be no less than 5 links showing between the snap-up bracket on the trailer frame and the end of the spring bar. So, if you were to set the chains at 5 or 6 links and add more washers to tilt the W/D further rearward, it should transfer more weight to the front axle for you. If you have the bars set using the proper amount of links and the head tilted further rearward, and still have not raised , then you have too much weight on the system.

Also, for trailers longer than 26 feet, we find that using two of the friction sway units, part # 83660, one on each side works best.

expert reply by: Mike L