RE: Weight Distribution Hitch - Setting helps!

[Joe Gleason]

 
When I picked up my new PU with WDH (350) they said you should try  and get it on the 3rd chain link... but the  position in the lot didn t allow the dealer to do that and said...No big deal - really doesn t  matter!
 
 Well... after 4th Trip out I tried it (pushed for 3rd liln) ... I put a block under the wheel jack- and pushed it up so I could get to the 3rd link... .
 
 TREMENDOUS difference ... Much more weight on the front -
 
 Result:
   Smoother ride (before it felt like it was bottomed out)
   Better Breaking - big saftey factor
   Looks better  
   Probably a whole lot better for the car (my guess)
   Probably better Millage
 
 Thought I d pass it on...
 
 Also - noted that in some campsites your not on level ground when hooking or unhooking.. our may need to take WD Bar off while manuvering - backing in or pulling out - then adjust on better grounds... .
 
 

[AustinBoston]

 Joe Gleason
A few connecting tips:
 
 The easiest way to connect is to use an empty parking lot.  Turn so the trailer and TV are almost jacknifed.  The inside bar will go on & off without jacking.  Turn the other way for the other bar.  Down side:  Need a handy parking lot and over-turning (jacknifing) results in damage.
 
 Barring that, use something to raise the back of the tow vehicle (or lower the front of the tow vehicle).  We use Lynx Levelers, others have used boards, or even speed bumps, to raise the rear axle.  It also helps to put the front axle in a dip in the road.  You will still have to jack, but not as far or as hard.
 
 And the setting does matter, as you have found out.
 
 
 BTW, some (including me) have found the Mini-350 has a " break-in"  period of about 500 miles.  After that, it might be necessary to increase the tension one more notch.  After that, you should be all set for the life of the whole combination of hitch, TV, & trailer.
 
 Austin

[6Quigs]

 Joe Gleason

When I picked up my new PU with WDH (350) they said you should try and get it on the 3rd chain link...

 Are we talking about a Reese mini 350 WDH or the Reese 400 single bar WDH ?
 
 There are no chains links on my Reese 350.
 
 I agree with Austin on how easy it is to take on and off if you raise the rear tires on the tow vehicle.
 We are always happy to see speed bumps in campgrounds[]

[Widewader]

 Joe Gleason
When we had our big trailer and an electric hitch jack, it was a lot easier to put the Equal-i-zer Weight Distributing hitch bars in place if I jacked the tongue up higher than normal. That takes the weight off both the tongue and the bumper. Put the bars (links) in place and then let it down. I suppose you could do that with the regular tongue jack crank.

[ckkevin]

 Widewader

When we had our big trailer and an electric hitch jack, it was a lot easier to put the Equal-i-zer Weight Distributing hitch bars in place if I jacked the tongue up higher than normal. That takes the weight off both the tongue and the bumper. Put the bars (links) in place and then let it down. I suppose you could do that with the regular tongue jack crank.

 When we had our WD hitch installed for our Hybrid, the dealer told us to attach the trailer to the TV,  crank the tongue jack  back up, and then attatch the chains.  It seems to work great.