Uneven Pressure Being Applied by a Weight Distribution System

Updated 05/27/2025 | Published 05/21/2025

Question:

I have a problem with the track pro using 800 lb bars. When i mount the bars on the RV one side is always about 1inch higher than the other. This puts much more pressure on one side versus the other. I am afraid this might produce an unstable tow setup. I could the brackets on one side so they match up. But I dont know if this is better or worse for towing. I have investigated why this happens and cannot explain it. The bars when mounted on the truck are perfectly level. The frame of the RV is level and the mounting brackets are the same on both sides. The bottom of the brackets on the RV are the same height from the ground. The only explanation I can come up with is that when the hitch is raised the RV springs compress more on one side than the other. I dont know if that is possible. Should I adjust the brackets so the pressure is even? Or should I leave them level? Or am I worrying about this too much? I did have a near accident where due to an over correction I got into a massive uncontrollable sway. If I had not immediately applied the RV brakes from the tow vehicle, we would have flipped. Do I want the most stable setup possible. The photos show the bars when the hitch is raised till one side is flush while the other side is still 1inch lower. So when mounted one will have much greater bend and pressure.

asked by: Timothy S

Spring Bar Brackets
(click to enlarge)

Spring Bar Bracket
(click to enlarge)

Expert Reply:

Hey Tim, thanks for the pictures. You do not want to tighten one spring bar more than the other. Here's what I recommend doing the next time you go to set it up.

Lock your trailer's coupler onto the ball. Then use the tongue jack to raise the tongue and the back end of the tow vehicle a few inches. Then attach the spring bars to the brackets ensuring they're in the same position. Once this is done you can lower the tongue until the tongue jack is free. If everything on your weight distribution system is working correctly you should be hooked up with both spring bars adjusted the same.

If you're still having the same issue we can look at a couple of other options:

What is the tongue weight of your trailer? You could be running to high or low of a spring bar set up.

How old are your leaf springs and is the side of the trailer your concerned about heavier due to appliances or slide outs?

You can leave this information in the comment box below.

expert reply by: Jerred H

Tim S.

5/23/2025

It is a new RV (< 1 year old) so the springs should be new. I have never weighed the side to side weight differential. But it doesn't have a slide out. The refrigerator is on one side and sink etc on other. So I wouldn't expect much difference. My tongue weight is 10%. With the sway bars in there is still a 1/2" height difference. I have adjusted the hitch so that after the sway bars are in the hitch height is the same as the truck unhooked and the RV level.

Jerred H.

5/23/2025

@TimS Yeah it doesn't sound like the suspension or one side being heavier is the problem then. What's your trailer's gross vehicle weight rating and how did you figure out your tongue weight is 10% of it?

Tim S.

5/23/2025

@JerredH the RV is about 5000 lbs loaded and I have measured the tongue weight many times. It is light so I mounted the waste caddy on the tongue and fill it with water for an extra 100+ lbs. That gets me to just over 500 lbs. So 10%.

Jerred H.

5/23/2025

@TimS Do you have the same issue when you use the 600 lbs Spring Bars item # BLU82FR you bought from us last year? The 800 lbs item # BLU47FR TrackPro system, you said you were using, is definitely going to be overrated for your 500 lbs tongue weight set up.