WDH question and front vs rear sag

[sroberts1519]

After several months waiting, we finally got our new RV delivered to us. I have a completely stock Overland (I know, worst trim level to tow with).

In an effort to get things dialed in as best as possible (I am going to be over my GVWR - my truck, my responsibility), I have a few questions.

After packing up the RV, ran it across a CAT scale. As I anticipated, I am over the GVWR (5800). I am going to adjust how the RV is "packed", to reduce the amount I am over GVWR (but, regardless how I pack the RV, I will still be over GVWR).

My question is this. What is more important, the "squat" of the truck at front and rear tires, or the weight measured on each axle?

Let me explain. With the trailer loaded up with WDH (but no passengers in the truck), the measurements I made at front and rear tire (the height to the bottom of the fender) is exactly the same for the front wheel and the rear wheel. The front wheel measurement actually went up a little over 1/4" with trailer and wdh attached. I have a e2 wdh, and the manual says that the front wheel height increasing slightly is normal - but I always thought with wdh, your front wheel height should never increase. Which is correct?

Second measurement was with all passengers on board, with trailer/wdh, weighed on CAT scales. I took the front/rear measured weights and compared them to the GAWR (3100 front and 37250 rear). What I found was the weight measurement indicated that my front axle was slightly more than 85% of its gross axle weight ratio, and the rear was slightly over 86%. 85% and 86% seems pretty balanced to me (or should I not be looking at it like this).

So, should I add another spacer on the e2 hitch to add more weight distribution to keep the (no passenger) height of the front wheel from increasing, or do I go with (the weight measurement with passengers) and try to keep the front and rear axles close to the same percentage of max GAWR? Adding an additional spacer to the e2 hitch I am sure will make the front axle weight a higher percentage of it's GAWR than the rear axle percentage.

Also, what is considered a reasonable squat in the rear and/or what is considered too much?

Thanks

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[eaglerugby04]

I am still learning myself how to tune these things. But one thing I can tell you is that you should not modify the way you load it. These things need 10-15% tongue weight to pull safely. I have been meaning to get a scale to better load mine. I have a bunkhouse and from what I have read they tend to be lighter up front.

I do remember from mine that ideally you want to be within 1/4 of an inch. The back will still squat but really it should just be killing the factory rake and leveling the truck.

 

[sroberts1519]

I am still learning myself how to tune these things. But one thing I can tell you is that you should not modify the way you load it. These things need 10-15% tongue weight to pull safely. I have been meaning to get a scale to better load mine. I have a bunkhouse and from what I have read they tend to be lighter up front.

I do remember from mine that ideally you want to be within 1/4 of an inch. The back will still squat but really it should just be killing the factory rake and leveling the truck.

Thank you for the reply. I forgot to state, my weight measurements put my tongue weight around 13.5%. Thus, I have some wiggle room to move weight around on the trailer and stay within the 10% rule. In fact, I probably wouldn't go less than 11% tongue weight

my height measurements (without passengers in truck), killed the rake - in fact, my front and rear height measurements were exactly the same with trailer/wdh attached.

 

[Bacon]

You want to be very very careful about centering the load so that there’s not too much on the rear tires. You will get weird steering problems if you unload the front. Ask me how I know. Your WDH product manual should tell you how to set it up, but they pretty much all have you measure the front and rear fender to tire distance and when loaded and then get you to reduce the front “lift” by half through adjustment of the hitch.

 

[eaglerugby04]

Thats good to hear. Should be good then if it feels solid around 11% though might need to increase depending on how it feels.

Your measurements sound like they are pretty good then, thats how my rubicon sits. Though my springs are tighter. I know several members have reported high amounts of squat in the overland though so YMMV.

 

[Jaxmax]

Your measurements and research are both correct, I would tow as you have it before making any adjustments to load front axle more. You seem to have a good handle on your situation, better then most that post here on towing, Overland was my first choice but I wanted the 4.10 ratio, so it was Rubicon or Maxtow, until the Mojave came out and that is the way I went......Jack

 

[sroberts1519]

You want to be very very careful about centering the load so that there’s not too much on the rear tires. You will get weird steering problems if you unload the front. Ask me how I know. Your WDH product manual should tell you how to set it up, but they pretty much all have you measure the front and rear fender to tire distance and when loaded and then get you to reduce the front “lift” by half through adjustment of the hitch.

I know about a lite front end - years ago, I had a Jeep Liberty and towed a heavy tent trailer with it. the first time I towed it, I didn't have a WDH, and that front end drifted all over the place. After I got home from the first trip, I installed a WDH.

It looks like with my Gladiator and my new RV, that when I am fully loaded for travel, that my front axle and rear axle percentages (of GAWR) will be close to each other. Or should I have more weight on the front axle, such as like the front axle 90% of it's GAWR and the back axle like 80% of it's GAWR?

Thanks

 

[sroberts1519]

Your measurements and research are both correct, I would tow as you have it before making any adjustments to load front axle more. You seem to have a good handle on your situation, better then most that post here on towing, Overland was my first choice but I wanted the 4.10 ratio, so it was Rubicon or Maxtow, until the Mojave came out and that is the way I went......Jack

Thanks for the reply - yeah, I need to get it out on the highway and pull it for atleast 30 miles before making any rash decisions. When I weighed yesterday, I was over GVWR more than I was comfortable with - I am currently at 13.5% tongue weight, so I think I can easily move things around and reduce tongue weight by 100 pounds, which should put the trailer at around 11% tongue weight, and that would get me much closer to the Overland's GVWR.

 

[Jaxmax]

I would take a look at the load rating of your tires also, just for kicks......Jack

 

[sroberts1519]

I would take a look at the load rating of your tires also, just for kicks......Jack

yeppers. my overland came with bridgestone All - terrain passenger tires (255/70R18 113T M+S). I may have to change my tires to something like the bridgestone all - terrain LT255/70R18 (D rated) tires.

 

[Jpeazy21]

Just reading through this post. Just did the CAT scale this past weekend. Family of 4 (me, wife, 14 yr, 11 yr). Full tank of gas, lightly loaded bed, we are weekend warriors. I know I’m over on Drive axle, trying to figure out my tongue weight. TT is a 2020 Coachmen Freedom Express 248RBS. I am going to order some air bags to help with squat, but isn’t too bad. Any input would be great!! Thanks.

 

[Jaxmax]

Not sure about the airbags yet, can you adjust your WDH hitch get more weight on front axle, same amount should come off the rear when doing that. It’s a heavy camper but you have bed loaded and whole family in truck with full tank of gas. Overland get the bad rap for towing and they actually are one of the better options for towing. Do the WDH adjustment, then put air bags in if needed, they will help with the bounce also…..Jack

 

[Iowafarm]

Most important thing to remember is not what you can safely pull, but what you can safely stop.

 

[Jpeazy21]

Not sure about the airbags yet, can you adjust your WDH hitch get more weight on front axle, same amount should come off the rear when doing that. It’s a heavy camper but you have bed loaded and whole family in truck with full tank of gas. Overland get the bad rap for towing and they actually are one of the better options for towing. Do the WDH adjustment, then put air bags in if needed, they will help with the bounce also…..Jack

Thanks!!

 

[Jpeazy21]

Most important thing to remember is not what you can safely pull, but what you can safely stop.

Yes, no issues there!!

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