Weight Distribution - Grand Design Owners Forums

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scdock

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#1

Weight Distribution

09-10-2020, 03:23 PM

Good afternoon. I'm hoping I can tap into the collective expertise of this forum regarding my weight distribution on the drive axle. I've weighed at a CAT scale and the results are:

Tow vehicle only - 3120
Tow vehicle w/ WDH engaged - 2860
Tow vehicle w/ WDH disengaged - 2640

What I'm wondering is if the hitch is properly set up due to the variance in the truck only drive axle weight vs. with WDH engaged. Thanks in advance for your feedback.

2120 Imagine 2670MK
2016 F-150 3.5 EcoBoost
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TucsonJim

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#2

09-10-2020, 04:02 PM

I'm not sure I understand these weights. Are the numbers you're giving just the rear axle of the tow vehicle?

Jim

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scdock

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#3

09-10-2020, 04:22 PM

Jim.....These are the front axle. The rear axle weights make sense but the front seem off.

Scott

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howson

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#4

09-10-2020, 04:23 PM

TucsonJim ,
I'm going to speculate that scdock is stating the front axle weights. The FAWR on a '16 F-150 (according to Ford's brochure) is below:

Given that it is the front axle for the weights given, when the WDH is engaged an additional 220lbs is moved from the rear to the front axle (that's good).

scdock--check your Ford owner's manual. My SuperDuty has a specific measuring process that dictates whether the WDH is set correctly. Based on the weights...I think you're real close. The real test is how it "feels"--if the front end "feels" light you might want to move a bit more weight forward (add a 'link' to the WDH). If the front steering feels good and braking is solid, you're likely very close to the right setup.

Howard

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howson

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#5

09-10-2020, 04:25 PM

scdock -- there's a series of short articles in the Reference Material section (I haven't finished the whole thing yet) that may help a little...

https://gdrvowners.com/towing-and-hi...rence-material

Forum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.

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scdock

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#6

09-10-2020, 07:28 PM

@Howard....Thanks for the feedback. I've only had the trailer out twice since we bought it and haven't experienced any steering or braking concerns. My worry was the difference in weight of 260 lbs between the unloaded front axle weight and with the WDH. I had read that the two weights should be fairly close which was why I wanted some feedback.

2120 Imagine 2670MK
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Calbar

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#7

09-10-2020, 07:44 PM

Originally posted by scdock View Post

@Howard....Thanks for the feedback. I've only had the trailer out twice since we bought it and haven't experienced any steering or braking concerns. My worry was the difference in weight of 260 lbs between the unloaded front axle weight and with the WDH. I had read that the two weights should be fairly close which was why I wanted some feedback.

On my Tundra, Toyota stated that front height should come back to unloaded height or basically same weight so that's what I did. On my new Ram it has the same comments about fender height that howson mentioned. I used similar setting on my WDH that I used on my Tundra. just backed off one tooth on the head tilt to put more weight on the rear as RAM stated and the setup handles flawlessly.

Rob

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scdock

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#8

09-11-2020, 10:02 AM

@Rob.....I measured the height of the front fender both unloaded and hooked up to the trailer. The difference in height was only 1/4 inch which was why I expected the front axle weight to at least be close rather than the 260 pound difference. My assumption now is, as long as the height of the front end has very little difference the weight difference isn't an issue?

2120 Imagine 2670MK
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Country Campers

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#9

09-11-2020, 11:09 AM

Originally posted by scdock View Post

@Rob.....I measured the height of the front fender both unloaded and hooked up to the trailer. The difference in height was only 1/4 inch which was why I expected the front axle weight to at least be close rather than the 260 pound difference. My assumption now is, as long as the height of the front end has very little difference the weight difference isn't an issue?

I think if it is handling good for you then these numbers should be fine. If , however , you are experiencing any purposing or rear of truck swaying then you may need some more adjustments. Unloading the rear of the truck is not good either. You will find the sweet spot.

Brian

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Calbar

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#10

09-11-2020, 11:57 AM

Originally posted by scdock View Post

@Rob.....I measured the height of the front fender both unloaded and hooked up to the trailer. The difference in height was only 1/4 inch which was why I expected the front axle weight to at least be close rather than the 260 pound difference. My assumption now is, as long as the height of the front end has very little difference the weight difference isn't an issue?

On my Tundra I was pretty much dead on to the fender height or so I thought and when I weighed the combo I was off 160lbs. Tilted the head back another tooth and no change to the front fender height that I could really measure with the tape measure but I added the missing weight back.

Rob

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scdock

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#11

09-11-2020, 03:12 PM

I do feel some porpoising but no real sway. When you say "tilt the head back another tooth" I'm not sure what that is? I do think I need to move some additional weight onto the drive axle but not sure what I need to do.

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howson

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#12

09-11-2020, 03:47 PM

Originally posted by scdock View Post

I do feel some porpoising but no real sway. When you say "tilt the head back another tooth" I'm not sure what that is? I do think I need to move some additional weight onto the drive axle but not sure what I need to do.

What WDH are you using? (I may have overlooked it in this thread?)

What are the current settings being used?

Forum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.

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scdock

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#13

09-11-2020, 04:02 PM

I have a E2 hitch by Fastway. The hitch was put together by the dealer so I"m not sure what the settings are. When we bought the trailer we hooked up and left, there wasn't any review of hitch settings or performance.

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howson

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#14

09-11-2020, 04:09 PM

Originally posted by scdock View Post

I have a E2 hitch by Fastway. The hitch was put together by the dealer so I"m not sure what the settings are. When we bought the trailer we hooked up and left, there wasn't any review of hitch settings or performance.

I have no experience with that particular hitch so I'll be no help. Sorry! Hopefully someone else here has one and can chime in.

Forum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.

Howard & Francine
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Calbar

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#15

09-11-2020, 04:46 PM

Originally posted by scdock View Post

I do feel some porpoising but no real sway. When you say "tilt the head back another tooth" I'm not sure what that is? I do think I need to move some additional weight onto the drive axle but not sure what I need to do.

My Reese WDH head has teeth and washers that fit into the teeth. I use these teeth and washers to increase or decrease the head tilt. If you want to get more weight to the front axle make a slight adjustment to your hitch head to tilt it a bit more. This will give you more tension to move more weight to the front. I just looked at the installation instructions and you would add a washer to tilt it a bit more.

Rob

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