Weight Distribution Hitch

[Jclow801]

Did you set up your own WDH? Some say that even the dealerships don’t do it right sometimes, which I believe. So I tackled the project myself today on my “equalizer“ branded hitch from what seems like 1984 (specific guess only based on the year of my trailer). They’ve been in business 75+ years and it’s clear they don’t change much! Anyway, I was surprised to find that during my adjustment for the weight distributing, that the front end didn‘t compress at all. Which is what they have you do all your measurements off of. So, because I was a little confused as to why I wasn’t getting any movement, I went against my better judgement and just eyeballed it.. Yikes! I know.. But I think it turned out really well and I went and gave it a test drive & it pulled great! I was seriously impressed. But then again, it wasn’t on the freeway. So I won’t count it a win just yet. I was wondering if others that set up their own WDH had the same experience, fighting to get that front end down.. Here are some pics of the progression for me.. This is leaving the WDH how it was from the dude I bought it from.. Lots of squat.

I think it looks better!

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[Moby]

If it works, it works! I’ve followed directions on similar-age WD hitches, and it just wasn’t right. Decided to try my own approach, and achieved great results. Sometimes, it just takes trial-and-error.

 

[Labswine]

I didn't set mine up, the dealership where I bought my trailer from did it.

They actually did a really good job of it. My truck feels just as planted towing as it does not towing.

One time, I measured rear sag with just the trailer attached (27' Vantage Sonic SN220VRB, 420 lb tongue weight...probably 520 with all the stuff in the front pass thru) on my stock Overland, and my rear dropped 1 1/2". Then I connected the WDH bars and remeasured and the rear sag was only 3/4". To me that says it's doing it's job and was properly set up.

 

[cougle]

Did you set up your own WDH? Some say that even the dealerships don’t do it right sometimes, which I believe. So I tackled the project myself today on my “equalizer“ branded hitch from what seems like 1984 (specific guess only based on the year of my trailer). They’ve been in business 75+ years and it’s clear they don’t change much! Anyway, I was surprised to find that during my adjustment for the weight distributing, that the front end didn‘t compress at all. Which is what they have you do all your measurements off of. So, because I was a little confused as to why I wasn’t getting any movement, I went against my better judgement and just eyeballed it.. Yikes! I know.. But I think it turned out really well and I went and gave it a test drive & it pulled great! I was seriously impressed. But then again, it wasn’t on the freeway. So I won’t count it a win just yet. I was wondering if others that set up their own WDH had the same experience, fighting to get that front end down.. Here are some pics of the progression for me.. This is leaving the WDH how it was from the dude I bought it from.. Lots of squat.

I think it looks better!

I agree. It does look better. Some times the eyeball test is the best judge.
I'm curious. My Jeep has Max Tow pkg with ETSC (Electronic Trailer Sway Control) and ESC (Electronic Stability Control). What's the difference. I'm sure the latter is for offroad but are they essentially the same thing?

 

[cranbiz]

I also have an equalizer WDH I use on the class C. I bought it used but downloaded the install instructions from the web.
The only difference I did from the instructions was I left the air bags at pressure. From there, I set up the hitch and there is a definite difference in towing performance. It's not noticeable by eye, but it certainly is by performance.

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