How To Set Up Trailer Weight Distribution Hitch

Your truck'southward bones receiver hitch may take the capacity required to tow around eight,000 lbs, but that doesn't mean it volition be able to evangelize the kind of sway control and driving safety you lot'll need when towing more than 5,000 lbs. This is where a weight distribution hitch comes in – and nosotros want to help people understand just how important (and piece of cake!) it is to truly, and precisely, distribute the weight of your trailer's heavier load for a smoother and safer towing experience. Those who tow inside their load'due south target natural language weight accept a huge safety advantage that is hard to overstate, and nosotros wanted to provide a complete guide for proper tongue weight distribution. If towing safely is important to your business or lifestyle then this guide is for you lot. Let'due south begin.

What is a Weight Distribution Hitch?

When you lot have as well much tongue weight resting on the center of your hitch, it will sink down or swoop. This is oftentimes referred to as a 'squatting hitch'. When this happens, likewise much weight is removed from the front end axle of your truck – and as a event, your truck's braking force and traction will be reduced, making information technology harder for you lot to steer and drive direct on the road. A weight distribution hitch solves this issue. It uses adjustable bound bars and tension to level things out. It distributes the excess tongue weight forward (to the dorsum axle of your truck), and reward (to the axles of your trailer). In turn, the lost weight from your truck'due south front axle is restored, and and then is your driving control and condom. Check out this video to see how information technology works! Safe and proper weight distribution involves understanding and calculating your target natural language weight. What is my target natural language weight? What is my gross trailer weight (GTW)? What are trailer brackets? How do you install spring arms? Let's start at the beginning…

Do You lot Need a Weight Distribution Hitch?

Your truck'due south possessor's manual should provide you with specifications regarding weight distribution use. For instance, the 2018 Chevy Traverse possessor's manual states that weight distribution and sway control are required when towing a trailer over 5,000 lbs. Most commonly, this applies to heavier cargo trailers such every bit campers and toy haulers. Yous tin too use this checklist to decide if you need a weight distribution hitch:

Indicators Yous Demand A Weight Distribution Hitch:

Your trailer weight (GTW) is more than fifty% of your truck's weight (GVWR)

The rear of your truck sags when the trailer is hooked up

You lot feel trailer sway

Your truck's headlights point upward

Yous observe it hard to steer or end
Yous desire to tow at your truck and trailer's highest chapters

Are You Ready to Install A Weight Distribution Hitch?

It is important to know that while a weight distribution hitch redistributes weight and balances your load, it does NOT increase the total corporeality of weight that your truck and trailer can handle. You lot should never exceed the capacity of your everyman-rated towing component. So, before purchasing and installing a weight distribution hitch, ensure that you are abiding past the towing capacities of your truck, trailer and hitch components. If you lot need to review how to calculate your exact towing capacity, use the formulas nosotros've outlined in our Definitive Guide to Safe Towing .

Leveling Out Your Load Has Never Been Easier or More than Accurate

Installing your weight distribution hitch involves leveling the trailer, measuring your truck and trailer height, mounting the hitch head, and adjusting the drop length, spring arms and trailer brackets. And, about significantly, information technology involves calculating and verifying the carefulness of the weight distribution so that your hitch tin can truly deliver:

Even weight distribution (Up-and-down motion)
Anti-sway stability (Side-to-side move)
Increased trailer tow capacity
Meliorate driving control and stability
Less wear on your truck and trailer
Safer braking and steering

Redefining Weight Distribution with True TOW

TRUE TOW™ is the first ever weight distribution hitch system that can truly distribute your load with ease, featuring an innovative pattern that levels out your truck-trailer combination, while actively keeping your trailer from swaying.

What makes it and so easy and accurate?

A BUILT-IN SCALE :

measures natural language weight (TW) and distributed tongue weight (DTW) to ensure y'all've fix your distributed system with carefulness

A Live Aligning Arrangement:

eliminates the demand to remove the head assembly for re-adjustment – resulting in a much easier and quicker installation, every time yous conform

Piece of cake HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT:

features drawbars with one" hole increments to provide more accurate tiptop adjustment (compared to competitors with one.75" pigsty increments)

AN EXTENDED SLEEK Blueprint:

generally gives you the power to lower your tailgate (or open your liftgate) without the trailer natural language/jack interfering

THE DTW TOOL:

calculates your required DTW. Access the DTW Tool on our website or on the Weight Safety App right from your smartphone.

CONVERTS INTO Adaptable BALL MOUNT:

converts into a basic adjustable ball mount. Merely add a steel slider and a steel ball retaining pin and you'll have a two-in-one hitch that covers even more towing needs and applications.

ix Steps to Installing and Adjusting Your True Tow Weight Distribution Hitch

Pace #1: Download the WeighSafe App

The WeighSafe App is a step-by-footstep guide – correct at your side – to employ every time you prepare your weight distribution hitch. Use it as a checklist, to ensure that you are completing every step and making the proper adjustments for each carve up tow.

Step #two: Check to Make Sure Yous're Ready For Gear up-up and Use

Read the weight distribution hitch manual to be sure y'all are following all rubber warnings and have all the right tools and parts necessary for assembly.
Park your truck and trailer on a flat, level ground in-line with each other.

Step #3: Install the Tow Ball

Insert the correctly sized Weigh Safety Tow Ball into the designated hole within of the hitch Head Associates .
With the Tow Brawl inserted, use the provided Shoulder Ball Pin and Lock Washer, and tighten the Hex Wrench until the commodities is completely tight and is sub flush with the face of the Head Assembly . Torque to thirty ft-lb. Check out this video to meet how easy it is to bandy out the tow balls.

Step #iv: Adjust the Head

Level the trailer to be parallel to the ground. This can be washed by using a level, or past measuring the forepart and back of the trailer frame to the ground. Make certain both the front and the dorsum measurements are the same.
Now that your trailer is level, measure from the basis to the top of the trailer coupler. With this measurement, insert the correctly sized Draw Bar into the receiver of your truck. Depending on what the acme of your trailer coupler is, the Describe Bar may need to exist in the rise or driblet position. Generally, the ball height should be ane to 2 inches above the coupler tiptop.

Slide the Caput Assembly onto the Draw Bar and insert the Lock Plate Primal Assembly (dual pins) into the correct holes to set the brawl elevation. Be certain to push the Lock Plate Fundamental Assembly all the mode in – until the pins are fully inserted and the lock tab is engaged. To check this, try and pull out on the Key Lock Assembly , making certain that the Lock Tab is secure earlier towing. Here'southward a short prune on how to do this.

Pro Tip: For future reference, save your meridian set-up onto the DTW tool on your Weigh Safe App . Input both of your drawbar positions (rise or drop) and how many empty holes are visible above the height of the Head Associates in the Draw Bar .

Footstep #v: Install Trailer Brackets

Finding Trailer Bracket Location:

Locate the Center-line of where the Trailer Brackets need to exist placed past measuring from the middle of the trailer coupler – along the trailer frame – and putting a mark at 32 inches on both sides. Securing the trailer brackets at the 32 inch mark will put the to the lowest degree amount of stress on your trailer and hitch, providing the safest tow.

Ensure that there are no brake lines, electrical wiring, or gas lines in the style of the Trailer Brackets. If something is obstructing the placement of the Trailer Brackets, yous'll want to reroute it to prevent any harm caused by the Trailer Brackets.
Pro Trip: In the rare instance scenario where there may be a frame member, propane mountain, or battery mount in the way that tin't be moved – the Trailer Brackets can be moved forward, closer to the trailer coupler, to a minimum altitude of 27 inches from the trailer coupler heart.

Installing Trailer Brackets Onto Trailer Frame:

Place one of the Railroad vehicle Bolts through the top hole in the Exterior C Channel Subclass and marshal it with the top hole of the inside Apartment Bracket. Slide on the Lock Washer and then thread on the Nut a couple of turns.
Slip the brackets over the trailer frame and line up the top bolt with the eye mark line for the previous step. Tighten the Nut until paw tight.
Insert the second Wagon Commodities in the highest open up hole in the Exterior C Channel Subclass under the trailer frame, and press it through the respective hole on the within Flat Bracket. Slide one the Lock Washer and thread on the Nut until hand tight. There should not be a gap between the top and bottom railroad vehicle bolts and the trailer frame. If there is a gap larger than a ½ inch, it can cause damage to the trailer brackets.
Apply the socket cease of the Lift Arm , or socket wrench, and tighten the nuts. Exist sure to alternating betwixt the elevation and bottom nuts while tightening.

Setting Top of Spring Arm Platform:

Slide the Spring Arm Platform into the Outside C Channel Bracket and set it to the correct elevation. The ideal height for the flat portion of the platform is 9 inches below the top of the trailer coupler. This will permit the leap arms to be horizontal with a trailer frame which will create the smoothest and safest tow.

In one case you lot accept the Spring Arm Platform set to the correct superlative, insert 2 Carriage Bolts into the square holes in the Outside C Channel Subclass that line upwards with the respective holes in the Leap Arm Platform. Press them all the way in and slide on a Lock Washer and thread on a nut on each bolt. Tighten to hand tight.
Employ the socket cease of the Lift Arm , or socket wrench, and tighten the nuts. All trailer bracket bolts volition need to be torqued to 65 ft-lb.
Repeat these steps on the other side of the trailer frame.
Pro Trip: In rare cases, if the lead spiral on the Head Assembly bottoms out earlier you reach your target DTW, the Bound Arm Platform might need to be less than 9 inches.

Stride #6: Get together the Spring Artillery

Insert the Jump Artillery into the Spring Arm Sockets.
Insert the Clevis Pin into pigsty, from the inside, to the exterior of the hitch. (This is to allow easy access for the Cotter Pin .)
Secure the Clevis Pin with the Cotter Pin.
Echo these steps on the other side.

Pro Tip: Before each towing session, you'll need to confirm that the Jump Arm Socket Bolts are torqued to a minimum of 150 ft-lb, using a torque wrench. Warning: Because the Spring Arm Sockets are beingness compressed by Socket Bolts in the Caput Assembly , they are difficult to twist. This is to help with sway control. Do non pound directly on the Spring Arm Sockets. This could cause them to chip or crack. Use the Spring Arms as a lever to move the compressed Spring Arm Sockets .

Step #7: Make up one's mind your target DTW

Start by backing upward your truck to the trailer and then lowering the trailer coupler onto the Tow Ball . Lock the coupler and insert a safety pin/lock for a secure attachment.
Open the DTW Reckoner in the Weigh Safe App .

Begin to input the following weights and measurements:

Gross Trailer Weight (GTW)

This is the weight of your trailer, plus the weight of the cargo you've loaded onto it.

Tongue Weight (TW)

- This is the downward force that the tongue of your trailer is exerting on your hitch.
- To measure your natural language weight, continue retracting the trailer natural language jack until it raises completely off the ground.
- Exist sure to measure your trailer's tongue weight without the Spring Arm zipper.
- Your target tongue weight is 10% – xv% of your GTW.
- Aim to position your cargo so that your trailer'south tongue gauge is reading within this range. Generally, this is achieved by putting about threescore% of your cargo'due south mass alee of the trailer beam and twoscore% backside.

Measurements : Swing out one of the Spring Arms until the bar is perpendicular to the Head Assembly . This arm will be used every bit a base point to take your measurements. Ever utilize the side of the Leap Arm closest to your truck because the inside confront is in-line with the Tow Ball .

Truck Beam to Tow Ball

1. In inches, mensurate in a straight line from your truck's Rear Axle Centre-line to the Tow Ball (0-70" max).

Tow Brawl to Trailer Brackets

1. In inches, measure out in a straight line from the Tow Brawl to the the middle of the Trailer Brackets (24 – 32" max).

Tow Ball to Trailer Axle(s)

1. In inches, measure from the Eye-line of your single Trailer Axle (or center between multiple axles) to the centre of the Tow Brawl .

Once you've inputted each weight and measurement, the DTW Calculator will populate your required DTW.
Pro Tip: It'due south important to annotation that your required DTW (Distributed Tongue Weight) will normally – but non always – read somewhere between 2 to three times your initial TW (Tongue Weight) reading.

Step #8: Connect the Spring Artillery

Slide the Bound Arms onto the Spring Arm Platforms.
Pro Tip: If you are towing a heavy trailer that'due south causing your truck to 'squat' – keeping yous from being able to slide on the Spring Arms onto the Spring Arm Platforms – you may take to employ the trailer's tongue jack to lift both your truck and trailer until yous can lift the Spring Arms into identify over the Spring Arm Platforms . If that doesn't work, y'all may demand to utilise the Elevator Arm .
Use the 50-fingers and the L-finger pins to secure the Spring Arms onto the Spring Arm Platforms .

Step #9: Distribute Your Towing System

Use the included Lift Arm (or a socket wrench, or a cross wrench) to tighten or loosen the pb screw until your natural language weight gauge reaches the required DTW.
Turning it clockwise increases TW, and turning it counterclockwise decreases TW.

Benefits & Features of the True Tow Weight Distribution Hitch

Before Yous Hit the Road

Safe towing ways getting to know your equipment and understanding how to operate and maintain information technology. Here'south a helpful checklist to go over each time you lot striking the road:

Towing Trip Checklist:

Check your truck and trailer tires.

- Your truck tires may require higher pressure for towing, as recommended in the possessor'due south manual.

- Your trailer tires may have dry out rot or cracking, particularly, if your trailer has been stored outside and/or hasn't been used for a season.

- Don't forget to check the wheel lug basics on your trailer and truck are tightened to the specified torque.

Cheque your oil, fluids, and brakes. Towing puts additional stress on your truck. So earlier heading out on a towing route trip, be sure your truck has:

- had a contempo oil and filter alter

- restriction pads with plenty of life remaining

- its engine coolant filled to the proper level in the reservoir
- enough of transmission fluid

If your trailer has brakes, it'due south also a good idea to accept those checked, too, and to go along the cycle bearings greased.

Take a spare tire kit for your trailer. Make sure you lot have at least 1 spare tire for your trailer. You'll too desire a lug nut wrench specific to your trailer'south wheels, equally well as a jack that volition work properly with your trailer.
Cross your trailer's safety chains. Don't but run them directly. Crossed bondage are meant to course a 'cradle'. If the hitch was always to fail, the tongue of the trailer would autumn downward into the crossed chains, rather than digging into the pavement. The bondage should have enough slack to permit sharp turns, simply not drag on the road.
Check trailer lights. Inspect the wires by mitt; they should exist loose enough to permit turns without getting disconnected, simply tight plenty that they won't touch the road. Exist sure the trailer's running lights, restriction lights, turn signals, and hazard lights are all working properly.
Verify hitch clearance. Measure from the lowest point of your hitch to the ground – it should be no less than 11 inches.
Consider towing mirrors. If your trailer is wider than your truck, await into getting wide aftermarket tow mirrors to assist y'all see your trailer'due south blind spots while driving and to aid rear visibility when backing up.
Programme ahead for fuel stops. You'll by and large utilise more fuel while towing, and stopping at a small, remote gas station is non so easy with a big truck and trailer.
Use wheel chocks. When unhooking the trailer from your truck, identify wheel chocks (sturdy, wedge-shaped blocks) in front of and behind the trailer's tires to ensure the trailer doesn't curl abroad when you release the hitch.

Using Condom Driving Techniques

In many cases, your trailer will weigh more your truck. All that actress weight behind the truck will have a huge touch on the truck'due south driving ability. Y'all'll need to learn new driving techniques to ensure safe on the road while towing: Safe Driving Techniques For Towing:

Allow for longer stopping distances. Be more attentive to vehicles stopping suddenly ahead of you when towing, and begin braking sooner than if y'all weren't towing.
Bulldoze in the right lane on highways as much every bit possible. This will make information technology easier for you to get over to the shoulder if e'er y'all need extra stopping room or happen to have a tire blowout.
Don't ride your truck'southward brakes on long downhills. Shift the truck's transmission to a lower gear to assist boring the vehicle and take some strain off of the brakes. Applying the brakes at intervals to keep the speed in check (as opposed to constant application of the restriction pedal) will help go along the brakes from overheating.
Arrange trailer brakes according to load. For example, if your trailer is equipped with brakes, you'll want them set to use a lot of force when towing a heavy load, just when the trailer is empty, the trailer's brakes demand to exist readjusted for that lighter weight, so the trailer's tires aren't locking upwardly and skidding.
Consider Height: trailers can exist much taller than the truck, so keep clearances in listen when pulling into gas stations or low bridge situations
Accept abiding care to make wider turns at curves and corners. The trailer tires are more likely to hit or ride up over curbs.
Use a watch when backing upward. Have someone outside at the rear of the trailer while bankroll upwardly whenever possible. Fifty-fifty wide tow mirrors can't provide all the visibility yous may demand, especially in situations where in that location are other vehicles, objects, or people in shut proximity.
Check your route alee of time. Some roads don't allow trailers on them, and certain roads as well take weight, tiptop, and width limits. Plan your route ahead of time to avoid the hassle of having to backtrack to find roads that allow your rig.

Afterwards Your Trip: Steps to Disconnecting Your Weight Distribution Hitch

Pull your trailer into the place you desire it parked; most effectively washed on a flat surface.
Set up the parking brake and put stops under the wheels of the trailer.
Unhook the electric cable, chains, and breakaway cable from your truck.
Enhance your trailer tongue jack until information technology starts to raise both your trailer and truck. Proceed to lift until the weight is lifted off the ends of the Spring Artillery , allowing you to hands pull off the Spring Arms form the Jump Arm Platform .
Remove L-Finger pins and L-Fingers .
Slide the Spring Artillery out and away from the trailer frame to clear the Trailer Brackets when you lower the trailer tongue jack.
Lower the trailer tongue jack until the trailer tongue is again resting on the hitch (showing some tongue weight) and yous tin unhook the trailer coupler latch.
Use the trailer natural language jack to elevator the trailer off the Tow Ball and pull your truck away from the trailer.
Unhook the Spring Arms class the Head Assembly and remove the Head Associates from the Draw Bar.
Store y'all True Tow Weight Distribution Hitch in a safety and secure location that is protected from weather conditions.

Conclusion

Having superior driving command over your truck and trailer while towing, is essential. Attach to these weight distribution guidelines for a safer, smoother ride, and complete towing peace of heed. Looking for more support and tips on towing?? Scan our how-to videos , or feel free to contact us with any of your questions. Nosotros're hither to help!

We utilise cookies on our website to requite you the virtually relevant experience by remembering your preferences and echo visits. By clicking "Have", yous consent to the utilise of ALL the cookies.