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Just picked up an RV, question on the air leveling system

No Tyme

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Jul 27, 2011
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Location
Monroe County Michigan
My first RV, a 25 foot toy hauler. I am trying to get the weight distribution hitch set up and can hear the compressor running for a longer period of time but when it shuts down the AV is not back to stock height in rear. I thought the air leveling system was suppose to return it to the stock height with tonged weight added?
Am I wrong thinking it should go back to stock height?
Also I have a 2.5" level lift on it so that may be the issue.
 
How much does the trailer weigh.
 
Base weight is about 4700, and tongue weight is 857. I have viewed a couple of videos on stabilizer hitch install but my first attempt was not successful. I believe my 13 LTZ with has the tow package is good for 8 K.
 
Go over to etrailer.com it may be your best bet to use helper springs.

857 pounds is a lot of weight
 
Is that tongue weight loaded or unloaded??

Because a toy hauler it will be heavy in the front until you load up the rear and balance it out, that's just the way they are because there's nothing in the rear until the load goes in. Think of the center line of the axels as the pivot point or fulcrum and when you add weight to either side one gets heavier and one gets lighter..

If that's loaded and gross or total weight is 7,000 to 8,000 lbs then 857 lbs is right in line with 10% -15 % for recommended tongue weight. 
 
Randy said:
Is that tongue weight loaded or unloaded??

Because a toy hauler it will be heavy in the front until you load up the rear and balance it out, that's just the way they are because there's nothing in the rear until the load goes in. Think of the center line of the axels as the pivot point or fulcrum and when you add weight to either side one gets heavier and one gets lighter..

If that's loaded and gross or total weight is 7,000 to 8,000 lbs then 857 lbs is right in line with 10% -15 % for recommended tongue weight.

I would assume that is empty as I took it from the NADA page of specs on the trailer. My Harley is only about 900 lbs dry weight but when the unit is fully stocked I am thinking I will be close to 6500, maybe 7000.
I ordered a air bag kit for it today and thinking I may just replace the coils while I at it. I am looking for some heavy duty coils right now.
 
As you put weight in the rear, the front should get lighter. The only way to know the actual loaded tongue weight is to load it and put it on a scale. There are hitches that have a built in scale.. Great product because it allows you to check every time you load your trailer and shift the load to set the correct tongue weight and you don't have to go to the scales or overload the bathroom scale..


https://www.amazon.com/Weigh-Safe-WS6-2-Adjustable-Double-pin/dp/B00REOUYME/ref=asc_df_B00REOUYME/?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid={creative}&hvpos={adposition}&hvnetw=o&hvrand={random}&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl={devicemodel}&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584070139304468&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07J5YMLD1/ref=psdc_15737261_t3_B00REOUYME
 
That's a interesting product there Randy
 
Yes, very interesting.. They have many different models to chose from, not cheap but what's your safety worth.. I may pick one up..



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9Dgxe584Ss
 
And they have the option for a 2 1/2inch shaft. hummm indeed.
 
Thanks for sharing this, Randy.

I have my receiver hitch turned over to provide a lift instead of a drop.

With the auto-leveling system on my EXT, the receiver hitch turned over provides the correct lift to keep my trailer level from front to back.

normal_EXTandPARTYBARGE1.JPG


I looked at the Weigh Safe offerings and was happy to see the ball only device.

I added this to my Amazon Wish List and will probably pick one up.

Weigh Safe 2" Universal Tow Hitch Ball with Built-in Scale, 2-5/16" Clam Shell

(y)

RE: After reading the reviews, I still may get this, but I will probably not use it as my actual towing device.

One reviewer seems to have had a problem with rain getting into the gauge, while another indicated the device stopped working after towing with it.

I could still use it to weigh the tongue weight, but switch out to my regular hitch to do the actual towing.

That wouldn't be too much trouble and it would be good to make sure I have my load balanced properly for each tow.

I would just purchase another receiver hitch to mount the Weigh Safe device on and just use that assembly to only weigh my load, and not tow.

Still a lot easier that toting around a tongue weight scale.

The load of our party barge and trailer can change depending upon the gear we choose to take each time.

We shall see.
 
EXT4ME said:
I looked at the Weigh Safe offerings and was happy to see the ball only device.

RE: After reading the reviews, I still may get this, but I will probably not use it as my actual towing device.

I could still use it to weigh the tongue weight, but switch out to my regular hitch to do the actual towing.

That wouldn't be too much trouble and it would be good to make sure I have my load balanced properly for each tow.

I am thinking the very same thing. Would not want that exposed to the rough roads and weather condition of traveling. May be ordering soon. Have to find out the thickness of the receiver that is required.
 
Sounds like we are all thinking along the same lines.. But I don't know if I like the 2 5/16 clam shell ball...
 
Hmmmmmmm... maybe a new thing to design and patent?

SO ya need soemthing to read tongue load say 100-1000 pounds?
accurate to say 10lbs?

for class 4 and 5 hitch bars.
best if on truck all the time...

Hmmmmmmmmm

Maybe a hydraulic washer type load Cell under ball?
but man that is a tiny one...
Have to conect small hose and gage calibrated to read load in lieu of Pressure since we know the area...

But I could see fitting getting whacked off...

Is there a Market for something like this?


Nevermind I see link of my idea except they put gage in nut so gage measures how much preload is lost... interesting.
 
Ditto I'd use it to setup the weight distribution and height, then slide the steel hitch in.

I'm not ready for a aluminum hitch yet no matter how big it is.
 
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