Weight Distribution Hitch Setup Question

[BReeves61]

I tow a 4500 lb camper with a 750 lb tongue weight. When I attach the spring bars on my hitch I have to raise the back of the truck up to almost lifting the rear wheels off the ground in order to achieve the correct levels when hitched up. Anyone else experience the same? Note, then hitched everything is pretty much level and works fine, it just seems weird to have to raise the rear of the truck so high. Thanks in advance!

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[Grumpaw]

Without knowing your experience on setting up a WD hitch, or hitch type, hard to figure out what your trying to do.
Also, what is the weight rating of the bars your using ???
Also, your 750 lb hitch weight is right on the line as far as what the Ranger's rated at.....where did you get that number from ??? Did you have it weighed or was the # taken from the manufactures literature ?
If from the literature, that # might or might not include weights from the battery or your filled propane tank/s, which could possibly add another 100 lbs to the hitch. Also have to consider any personal items/food/bedding/clothing...ect that you have stored away anywhere in front of the forward axle....that also adds weight to the tongue weight...

 

[BReeves61]

Without knowing your experience on setting up a WD hitch, or hitch type, hard to figure out what your trying to do.
Also, what is the weight rating of the bars your using ???
Also, your 750 lb hitch weight is right on the line as far as what the Ranger's rated at.....where did you get that number from ??? Did you have it weighed or was the # taken from the manufactures literature ?
If from the literature, that # might or might not include weights from the battery or your filled propane tank/s, which could possibly add another 100 lbs to the hitch. Also have to consider any personal items/food/bedding/clothing...ect that you have stored away anywhere in front of the forward axle....that also adds weight to the tongue weight...

I weighed it. I have 1000lb Husky Centerline bars. It is setup level. All I was asking if anyone else had to raise the back of their Ranger that high to attach the spring bars before lowering back down.

 

[brroberts]

Do you mean the height to get the bars on, or the towing height? At 750lbs of tongue weight, there will be some sag, lowering of the back end, even if you measured the front and got your weight distribution set up properly.

I also question where you got your 750lbs weight. You really have to weigh it to do this right.

 

[brroberts]

Just saw your post. Yes you have to raise it high to get the bars on. You can use a hook or lever type tool and slide the bars on without picking it up as high.

 

[Grumpaw]

I weighed it. I have 1000lb Husky Centerline bars. It is setup level. All I was asking if anyone else had to raise the back of their Ranger that high to attach the spring bars before lowering back down.

Yes. when hitching up, after the coupler is on the ball and secured, I have to raise the rear of the truck (using the trailer's lift) to attach the chains to the trailer frame rail attachment.
I have my chains marked so I know which link has to go in the saddle, so it's the same everytime.
Once both bars are attached, the truck/trailer is lowered, and your bars should have a slight arch to them.

 

[BReeves61]

Just saw your post. Yes you have to raise it high to get the bars on. You can use a hook or lever type tool and slide the bars on without picking it up as high.

thanks! You answered my question. I think because the rear sits up higher anyway, it causes me to really raise it up high to get the bars on. Thanks again!

 

[Grumpaw]

Bobby, I don't know just how your hitch is set up, but there are lots of info on setting one up....one point of important info is the shank and raising/lowering the ball head to the correct position. Because the Rangers arse is so high, it might take a longer shank to get the ball head down to it's proper orientation....and getting the proper height is dependent on the trailer coupler and it's height
On my Ranger/Jayco I had to buy a 10 hole shank to get the head low enough to properly set up my hitch.
I'm just throwing this out to yo as I'm just trying to help, in case your not familiar with the procedure....
This is what I had to go to to get mine set up....

 

[EJH]

I weighed it. I have 1000lb Husky Centerline bars. It is setup level. All I was asking if anyone else had to raise the back of their Ranger that high to attach the spring bars before lowering back down.

After I hitch up my 5,000 lbs TT, I have to use the tongue jack to lift the rear of the truck, and front of the trailer probably 6" to be able to put my 600 lbs bars on. Then I lower the tongue jack. When the tongue jack is retracted, the truck and trailer are level and back normal as should be.

If you have 1,000 lbs bars, I'm not surprised you have to raise the hitch sky high to attach them. I'd also question if you need bars that heavy. I'd personally go for 600-800 lbs bars with a 4,500 lbs TT. 1,000 lbs are going to be very stiff and stressful for the truck and trailer frame.

Like Grumpaw, I use the lowest of 6 positions on my WDH's drop bar due to the Ranger's high hitch.

Other things that have helped make towing with the Ranger easier and safer are 1) better shocks (at least rears) and 2) XL load tires. The XL load tires compared to the squishy Hankooks totally changed the confidence I have towing.

 

[BReeves61]

I

Bobby, I don't know just how your hitch is set up, but there are lots of info on setting one up....one point of important info is the shank and raising/lowering the ball head to the correct position. Because the Rangers arse is so high, it might take a longer shank to get the ball head down to it's proper orientation....and getting the proper height is dependent on the trailer coupler and it's height
On my Ranger/Jayco I had to buy a 10 hole shank to get the head low enough to properly set up my hitch.
I'm just throwing this out to yo as I'm just trying to help, in case your not familiar with the procedure....
This is what I had to go to to get mine set up....

I've got mine oriented like yours on the bottom holes. It's about perfect for the coupler height. If the truck was any higher, I would have to get a longer shank for sure. I just have to lift it up pretty high to get the tension off to get the bars on and off. Sounds like that's pretty common. Thanks!

 

[Grumpaw]

After I hitch up my 5,000 lbs TT, I have to use the tongue jack to lift the rear of the truck, and front of the trailer probably 6" to be able to put my 600 lbs bars on. Then I lower the tongue jack. When the tongue jack is retracted, the truck and trailer are level and back normal as should be.

If you have 1,000 lbs bars, I'm not surprised you have to raise the hitch sky high to attach them. I'd also question if you need bars that heavy. I'd personally go for 600-800 lbs bars with a 4,500 lbs TT. 1,000 lbs are going to be very stiff and stressful for the truck and trailer frame.

Like Grumpaw, I use the lowest of 6 positions on my WDH's drop bar due to the Ranger's high hitch.

Other things that have helped make towing with the Ranger easier and safer are 1) better shocks (at least rears) and 2) XL load tires. The XL load tires compared to the squishy Hankooks totally changed the confidence I have towing.

Yup on the tires...I had a set of Yokohama E rated 10 ply tires installed, rated for 80 psi. When towing their at 45 front and 50 rear, and totally got rid of any "squish" with the OE 2 ply tires.

 

[Big Blue]

I weighed it. I have 1000lb Husky Centerline bars. It is setup level. All I was asking if anyone else had to raise the back of their Ranger that high to attach the spring bars before lowering back down.

OK, I have to ask, why are you running 750 lb of tongue weight on a 4500 lb travel trailer? Is it the way you have it loaded? Something does not make sense here. The only trailers that I have seen run that heavy on the tongue are toy haulers. They are made that way to account for the "toy" weight behind the axles. More actual information is needed. The recommended tongue weight is between 10 and 15 percent of trailer weight, usually closer to 10. You are over the high end of that and at the max rating for the truck.

I pull a 4000 lb TT using a Husky Centerline hitch with a 525 lb tongue weight. I am using the 400-600 lb bars. Yes I do have to lift the back of the truck some to get the bars on the brackets, but no where near lifting it of the ground.

Those 1000 lb bars are rated for 1000-1400 lbs. Normally you want to run the lightest bars to cover your hitch weight. You want to transfer the weight. But you still want them to flex with undulating roads. Too stiff puts undo stress on the trailer frame and your truck, also doesn't help the ride comfort.

 

[Grandaccess]

Bobby, I don't know just how your hitch is set up, but there are lots of info on setting one up....one point of important info is the shank and raising/lowering the ball head to the correct position. Because the Rangers arse is so high, it might take a longer shank to get the ball head down to it's proper orientation....and getting the proper height is dependent on the trailer coupler and it's height
On my Ranger/Jayco I had to buy a 10 hole shank to get the head low enough to properly set up my hitch.
I'm just throwing this out to yo as I'm just trying to help, in case your not familiar with the procedure....
This is what I had to go to to get mine set up....

You got a hitch lock on that Right?
that thing is a piece of Art!

 

[Grumpaw]

Definately use a high quality hitch lock.
Also bought one of those "Bumper Hitch Mounts" and attached it to the trailer frame...allows me to "store" the hitch head when camping so it's off the truck while driving around....and use the hitch lock for security.
This one was $35.00 from Amazon....

 

[BReeves61]

Definately use a high quality hitch lock.
Also bought one of those "Bumper Hitch Mounts" and attached it to the trailer frame...allows me to "store" the hitch head when camping so it's off the truck while driving around....and use the hitch lock for security.
This one was $35.00 from Amazon....

great idea!

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