CrossRoads RV Family Forum : Adjusting WD hitch with load-leveling suspension http://forums.crossroadsrv.com/forum/ This is an XML content feed of; CrossRoads RV Family Forum : General RV Questions : Adjusting WD hitch with load-leveling suspension Copyright (c) 2006-2012 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Thu, 23 May 2013 17:05:05 +0000 Tue, 29 May 2012 18:35:10 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 10.12 360 forums.crossroadsrv.com/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=4507 CrossRoads RV Family Forum http://forums.crossroadsrv.com/forum/forum_images/logo_crossroads_ngv.jpg http://forums.crossroadsrv.com/forum/ Adjusting WD hitch with load-leveling suspension : I think the 4100 lbs is probably... http://forums.crossroadsrv.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4507&PID=45263&title=adjusting-wd-hitch-with-loadleveling-suspension#45263 Author: anaro
Subject: 4507
Posted: 29 May 2012 at 6:35pm

I think the 4100 lbs is probably before propane, battery etc and maybe the 5203 lbs is after that stuff (although I don't think that stuff adds up to over 1000 lbs).]]> Tue, 29 May 2012 18:35:10 +0000 http://forums.crossroadsrv.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4507&PID=45263&title=adjusting-wd-hitch-with-loadleveling-suspension#45263 Adjusting WD hitch with load-leveling suspension : That is a good question. I think... http://forums.crossroadsrv.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4507&PID=45250&title=adjusting-wd-hitch-with-loadleveling-suspension#45250 Author: scottw
Subject: 4507
Posted: 29 May 2012 at 12:20pm

That is a good question.  I think the 2012 models were heavier than the 2011 models, so that may explain part of the difference.  I can tell you that the delivery sticker on the instead of my 2011 shows it as 4196.  I would assume I have about 500lbs of gear in it, which matches up with the 4700lbs shown when loaded at the scale.

Edited by scottw - 29 May 2012 at 12:20pm]]> Tue, 29 May 2012 12:20:19 +0000 http://forums.crossroadsrv.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4507&PID=45250&title=adjusting-wd-hitch-with-loadleveling-suspension#45250 Adjusting WD hitch with load-leveling suspension : I noticed very early you said... http://forums.crossroadsrv.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4507&PID=45248&title=adjusting-wd-hitch-with-loadleveling-suspension#45248 Author: epjohnso
Subject: 4507
Posted: 29 May 2012 at 11:44am

I noticed very early you said the weight of your trailer (Slingshot 29BH) is only 4300 pounds.   

I was really surprised by this for a 29 foot trailer - since my 24 foot Sunset Trails is 5050 pounds, and I was exceptionally concerned about this for my trailer and TV.    I also looked at the webpage from Crossroads for this model, and it starts off and says "A 29'11" bunk house trailer less than 4100 pounds!!!", which is a direct quote from the webpage.    
Then when I look at the Technical weight information, it has the following numbers:
Weights
Dry Weight: 5203
GVWR: 7570
Carrying Capacity: 2367
Hitch Weight: 570
Axle Weight: 4633

I wonder where they get the 4100 pound number for this quote on the webpage!   

]]> Tue, 29 May 2012 11:44:45 +0000 http://forums.crossroadsrv.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4507&PID=45248&title=adjusting-wd-hitch-with-loadleveling-suspension#45248 Adjusting WD hitch with load-leveling suspension : As I understand it, you do... http://forums.crossroadsrv.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4507&PID=45214&title=adjusting-wd-hitch-with-loadleveling-suspension#45214 Author: anaro
Subject: 4507
Posted: 28 May 2012 at 5:17pm

As I understand it, you do not want your front axle to weigh more than its original weight.  The goal is to get your front axle as close to its original weight without going heavier and as close to the original measurement without going lower.  ]]> Mon, 28 May 2012 17:17:20 +0000 http://forums.crossroadsrv.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4507&PID=45214&title=adjusting-wd-hitch-with-loadleveling-suspension#45214 Adjusting WD hitch with load-leveling suspension : I wanted to follow back up on... http://forums.crossroadsrv.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4507&PID=45193&title=adjusting-wd-hitch-with-loadleveling-suspension#45193 Author: scottw
Subject: 4507
Posted: 27 May 2012 at 5:33pm

I wanted to follow back up on this to let everyone know where I ended up.  After much experimentation my preferred method of hitching up is to leave the truck turned off while connecting the trailer and engaging the bars.  I then turn the truck on and it will engage the load leveling suspension (which typically only makes a minor correction).

After several trips to the scales to fine tune the hitch configuration my weights are:

Yukon only (GVWR: 7400  GCWR: 14,000)
Steer axle: 2840 (FAWR: 3550)
Drive axle: 2900 (RAWR: 4100)

Yukon and trailer
Steer axle: 2920
Drive axle: 3320
Trailer axle: 4200

Can anyone with experience in configuring hitches comment on the weight distribution please?  I would like to see a little more weight on the steer axle, but it seems like it would be difficult to snap up another link on the bars (I already have to use the trailer jack to lift the truck pretty far before engaging the bars).

Thanks!
Scott
]]> Sun, 27 May 2012 17:33:50 +0000 http://forums.crossroadsrv.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4507&PID=45193&title=adjusting-wd-hitch-with-loadleveling-suspension#45193 Adjusting WD hitch with load-leveling suspension : I hear ya. I do not miss that... http://forums.crossroadsrv.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4507&PID=43186&title=adjusting-wd-hitch-with-loadleveling-suspension#43186 Author: anaro
Subject: 4507
Posted: 19 Apr 2012 at 9:29pm

I hear ya.  I do not miss that load leveling suspension now that I have the new TV.  Best of luck getting it set up right.]]> Thu, 19 Apr 2012 21:29:56 +0000 http://forums.crossroadsrv.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4507&PID=43186&title=adjusting-wd-hitch-with-loadleveling-suspension#43186 Adjusting WD hitch with load-leveling suspension : anaro wrote: scottw- you... http://forums.crossroadsrv.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4507&PID=43180&title=adjusting-wd-hitch-with-loadleveling-suspension#43180 Author: scottw
Subject: 4507
Posted: 19 Apr 2012 at 8:59pm

Originally posted by anaro anaro wrote:

scottw- you need to pay attention to what the rear is doing as well.  You want the front as close to the original height/weight as they were without the TT without going lower than original height or heavier than original weight.  You want the rear as close to the original height as possible without messing up the front.  With months of experimenting with the armada with weights etc, we found that while the rear would end up approx level, the weights told the real story if we adjusted w/ load leveling suspension on.  Measure with load leveling suspension off and then turn it on.  Once we adjusted to the correct heights with everything off and then went and weighed it, that gave us the most correct measurements and weights. It was figured out both by us and some that have a large amount of expertise in the area (WDH gurus on another forum) that the load leveling suspension was really interfering with getting things set up correctly.

Absolutely!  I find the load leveling suspension to be an annoyance and would much rather turn it off when pulling the trailer.  I plan to spend some quality time with the scales at some point in the not too distant future to further refine the configuration.  But I feel that the rough estimation I have been able to do so far has gotten it closer to where it needs to be.

]]> Thu, 19 Apr 2012 20:59:19 +0000 http://forums.crossroadsrv.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4507&PID=43180&title=adjusting-wd-hitch-with-loadleveling-suspension#43180 Adjusting WD hitch with load-leveling suspension : scottw- you need to pay attention... http://forums.crossroadsrv.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4507&PID=43179&title=adjusting-wd-hitch-with-loadleveling-suspension#43179 Author: anaro
Subject: 4507
Posted: 19 Apr 2012 at 8:49pm

scottw- you need to pay attention to what the rear is doing as well.  You want the front as close to the original height/weight as they were without the TT without going lower than original height or heavier than original weight.  You want the rear as close to the original height as possible without messing up the front.  With months of experimenting with the armada with weights etc, we found that while the rear would end up approx level, the weights told the real story if we adjusted w/ load leveling suspension on.  Measure with load leveling suspension off and then turn it on.  Once we adjusted to the correct heights with everything off and then went and weighed it, that gave us the most correct measurements and weights. It was figured out both by us and some that have a large amount of expertise in the area (WDH gurus on another forum) that the load leveling suspension was really interfering with getting things set up correctly.]]> Thu, 19 Apr 2012 20:49:40 +0000 http://forums.crossroadsrv.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4507&PID=43179&title=adjusting-wd-hitch-with-loadleveling-suspension#43179 Adjusting WD hitch with load-leveling suspension : I have only had it out once this... http://forums.crossroadsrv.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4507&PID=43176&title=adjusting-wd-hitch-with-loadleveling-suspension#43176 Author: scottw
Subject: 4507
Posted: 19 Apr 2012 at 8:31pm

I have only had it out once this year since purchasing the new TV (still need to update the pic in my sig), but I spent considerable time experimenting with leveling the trailer.  Here is a generic summary of what I observed (making sure to measure the wheel-well heights before starting):

WITH the load leveling suspension on (in other words TV was running)
1) Lowered trailer onto hitch.  At this point the back of the TV was lower than it needed to be.
2) After 10 - 15 seconds the suspension inflated and leveled the TV.
3) Measured the front wheel-wells and observed that even though the TV was almost level the wheel wells were higher than they originally were - indicated there may not have been enough weight transferred forward on the TV.
4) Snapped up the bars to number of links I believed necessary (had to use the jack to temporary raise it enough to get them hitched).  At this point the back of the TV was slightly higher than it needed to be.
5) After 10 - 15 seconds the suspension let out some air leveling the TV.
6) Measured the front wheel-wells and observed that they were nearly the same height as they were prior to connecting the trailer - indicating some of the weight was getting transferred to the front.

WITHOUT the load leveling suspension on (in other words TV was NOT running)
1) Lowered trailer onto hitch.
2) Snapped up the bars to number of links I believed necessary.  At this point the back of the TV was just slightly lower than it needed to be.
3) I started the TV and after 10 - 15 seconds the suspension inflated slightly and leveled the TV. 4) Measured the front wheel-wells and observed that they were nearly the same height as they were prior to connecting the trailer - indicating some of the weight was getting transferred to the front.

My take-away from this is that the end result appears to be the same regardless of rather or not you have the load-leveling suspension engaged before snapping up the weight-bars.  The only comment I can add to anyone else trying this is to make sure to measure the front wheel-wells of your TV to ensure they are not higher than they were before you hooked up.  

** Of course - an even better method would be to take your TV to the scales both empty and fully connected to get accurate weights.  I plan to do this in the future, but have not had an opportunity to do so yet.

Scott
]]> Thu, 19 Apr 2012 20:31:21 +0000 http://forums.crossroadsrv.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4507&PID=43176&title=adjusting-wd-hitch-with-loadleveling-suspension#43176 Adjusting WD hitch with load-leveling suspension : Anaro,You were indeed correct,... http://forums.crossroadsrv.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4507&PID=41255&title=adjusting-wd-hitch-with-loadleveling-suspension#41255 Author: tator447
Subject: 4507
Posted: 23 Mar 2012 at 3:59pm

Anaro,
You were indeed correct, my dealer set my Cruiser up with the car turned off and then we turned it on and checked it out and it was perfect.  Handled very well coming home so I stand corrected and you indeed were right on.  Thanks so much.
 
Jim
]]> Fri, 23 Mar 2012 15:59:25 +0000 http://forums.crossroadsrv.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4507&PID=41255&title=adjusting-wd-hitch-with-loadleveling-suspension#41255