David,
Thanks for the clear instructions on a rather muddy topic.
Excellent post!
--
-Tim
theVAP.com
> Per Reese instructions. Set the ball height on the adjustable drop bar to
> the height specified by the trailer manufacturer (A/S is typically 18.5",
> but they range +/-1" or so, so check your specific model). Then you install
> the bars into the hitch head and adjust the head angle (tilt) so that the
> distance from the ground to the far end of the bars, when the bars are held
> tightly upwards (by hand) at the end, measures 6.5".
>
> The next step to determine a frame reference measurement for absolute level.
> The easiest and most accurate way is to measure the distance to ground from
> the bottom of the frame at the front and at the rear. Make sure that you
> are measuring the frame at the rear, not the slideout drawer frame (the
> frame is actually even with the belly pan at the rear. Once the distances
> are the same, that measurement will be the reference for the next step and
> by the way, the trailer should actually be level front to back at this
> point.
>
> To determine the proper number of links to drop, put the trailer onto the
> ball and lock. Then adjust the tongue jack to return the front frame
> distance to ground to the reference distance ascertained above. This
> ensures that the trailer is level and all the hitch weight is supported by
> the trailer tongue jack. The goal of determining the number of chain links
> to drop is to distribute ONLY the hitch weight of the trailer. The proper
> number of chain links to drop is determined by finding the number of links
> dropped that result in the trailer tongue jack JUST raising off the ground.
> DON'T use the trailer jack to minimize the effort of pulling the chains up
> during this process...leave the jack at the position of the reference
> distance as describe above. Once the trailer jack JUST lifts off the
> ground, you have the proper settings AND the trailer and truck should be
> level. The result is you have transferred the trailer hitch weight properly
> (60% to the truck axles, 30% to the trailer axles).
>
> This approach is repeatable and results in the Reese being properly adjusted
> so as to ensure that the Dual Cam is properly tensioned. This process may
> result in more or less links being dropped than what you are used to doing,
> but it will result in a "proper" setup
>
> david