Should Trailer Be Exactly Level When Being Towed?

Updated 11/19/2025 | Published 11/16/2025

Question:

I have a 2026 jayco 261bhsw being towed with my 2010 ford f150. Tow vehicle has all new suspension including Bilstein 5100 shocks and struts. When I bought my trailer the dealer set up the hitch and I noticed the trailer has been a little nose down. And when passing trucks Or in wind I would get some sway and felt it was a setup issue. I leveled out the trailer completely. I even double checked by measuring from the frame to the ground in 3 spots front to back on trailer. My hitch height is 27” so I moved the hitch and set it up at 27” on my f150. My question is do I want the trailer exactly level when being towed or should I have set it up slightly nose down? My rear end ped about 1/2” set up like this and my front end raised up about 3/8”. I did not load the water tank but most everything else is in the trailer. Do I have enough tension on the bars? Those I did not move. Or at this point is driving it the best way to see if setup has been fine tuned?

asked by: Braden C

Expert Reply:

Hey Braden, good question. Sounds like you’ve got your setup pretty close already. For the most part, you want the trailer riding level or just slightly nose down but no more than about a ½ inch. A little nose down helps keep your weight on the trailer axles and takes some sway out when you’re getting passed by big rigs or in crosswinds.

Since your front end came up about ? inch, that tells me your weight distribution bars probably need a touch more tension. Try adding another link or two on the chains or increasing the head tilt a bit to push a little more weight back onto the front axle. You want your front wheel well measurement after hitching to be within about ½ inch of your unhitched height.

After that, take it for a test drive on a straight stretch of highway. If it tracks smooth and doesn’t wander or sway, you’re dialed in. Every rig’s a little different, but that’s how I’d fine-tune it if it were mine.

What WD hitch are you using?

expert reply by: Jesse M

Braden C.

11/19/2025

I am using the blue ox track pro. Ok but my front end is within the 1/2” tolerance at 3/80 which is .375 of rise. So I just need to make sure my hitch height is within the 1/2” of level. I did reach out to Jayco to make sure I measured the hitch height correct with their factory spec. Thank you very much sir.

Jesse M.

11/19/2025

@BradenC Glad to help! The track pro is a solid system. As long as you are level or within that 1/2" you will be good. Feel free to come back anytime you need anything!