Troubleshooting Curt Trutrac System Digging Into Brackets

Question

Question:

I recently purchased the Curt Trutrac WD C17501 for my 2004 Ford Excursion towing a 39ft travel trailer. The tongue weight loaded is around 1100 lb. The RV dealership installed the weight distribution on my trailer and set it up but after driving about 80 miles with it I noticed that the spring bars on the way distribution are cutting into the rear of the L bracket unevenly. What potentially could this mean? Additionally, I got into some scary trailer sway situations when passed by semi trucks. Could these two be related that the hitch is not correctly set up?

asked by: Chris

0

Expert Reply:

Based on your photo, the system was not setup correctly so the bars that should be applying friction to the brackets evenly is only hitting on that inside edge of the bar. That will not carry the weight correctly and definitely can cause scary sway. The head of the system needs to be positioned correctly and so do the brackets for proper function. I highly recommend you correct the alignment of the system and replace the brackets with the Replacement Frame Brackets for Curt TruTrack Weight Distribution System w/ Sway Control # C17508.

expert reply by: Jason S

0

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Dan D.

7/10/2020

I have the C17500 and a similar situation. Ram 1500, TT at 6500lbs. TW around 850. I set the head tilt at position 4 and dropped the L bracket 1 position. Just took a 10 mile ride to check things out. Seems like the bars don't exactly lay flat on the L bracket. Any ideas? My picture would be identical to the original poster.

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Chris R.

7/15/2020

I would try tilting the head a bit more to relieve some of the tension being put on the spring bars. It sounds like it may just be over-adjusted.

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Dan D.

7/15/2020

@ChrisR "Tilt the head more" - that would put MORE tension on the bars. The position #4 and the L bracket position brings the front of the truck down within +1/4" of an inch of the non-loaded position - just about spot-on. I tried flipping the bars over and even swapping the bars on each side. I'll work with it a little more to see why the bars won't lay flat.

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Dan S.

10/19/2020

I am experiencing the same problem, wearimg at fhe edge of the L bracket. There is only one way to install it on the trailer. How is it possible to install it incorrectly.? I had to shim the left side out three eights of an inch to make it stop rubbing on the inside of the L bracket. There has to be a flaw in this design or it's not compatible with all trailers. I cannot change arm position due to the design of the trailer which is a 2017 Grand Design Imagine. Any suggestions on how to resolve this issue would be appreciated. I don't understand why you cannot sell the L brackets separately seeing as that's the only part that gets wore out.

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See All (4) Replies to Dan D. ∨

Answer 1

In your case, you will have to follow the tongue weight rating of your 2017 Ford F-250. The tongue weight rating on the Curt Trailer Hitch receiver, #C15802, is the weight that this particular hitch will fail and does not represent the total towing…

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Answer 2

Your friend's automobile lift will certainly make your hitch installation easier and less grimy. You could use an impact wrench for initial tightening of the fasteners but this is not absolutely necessary. All of the hitches we offer for…

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Answer 3

Installing Timbren springs shouldn't cause your trailer to sway. If your truck and trailer are already level then I would guess the sway is caused by the trailer being overloaded or not properly loaded. Or your weight distribution isn't rated…

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Answer 4

Yes, you can add the Reese Dual Cam High-Performance Sway Control part #RP26002 to the Reese Weight Distribution System part #RP66022. This will give you the Strait-Line Weight Distribution System part #RP66074.

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Answer 5

The biggest difference between an Equal-I-Zer friction style sway control and a system like a Reese Dual Cam High-Performance Sway Control #RP26002 is that the friction style is passive and the dual cam is active. What is meant by that is that the…

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Answer 6

Because they are maintenance free, less expensive and easier to install than shocks, I'd definitely recommend going with the SumoSpring option. They'll work with your existing leaf spring suspension to help dampen the suspension, but will…

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Answer 7

Thanks for the photo and I'm sorry this happened regarding the Curt TruTrack Weight Distribution System w/ Sway Control #C17500. There's a few reasons why the L-brackets would bend, and one of them would be too high or a tongue weight. You…

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Answer 8

It sounds like your system may be overloaded. The first thing I would recommend is finding your actual tongue weight. Your Curt #C79JR (17600) has a tongue weight range of 800-1,000 lbs. If your tongue weight is around 1,000 lbs you're already at…

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Answer 9

As your axles measure 35" apart from center to center but the frame hanger spread (FHS) measured 58-3/4", you did go the correct way. The axle spacing is definitely important, but the FHS is more so. Just be aware that you axle spacing may…

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Answer 10

The amount of tilt I see in the pictures you submitted of your equalizer isn't too bad. That could easily be from the trailer not sitting perfectly level. If the trailer is level and it's still tilting this can be solved in one of three ways.…

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Answer 11

The first and easiest thing you should check is that the trailer is being towed level. If the trailer is nose high or low that can cause the equalizers to not sit level. You will need to select the correct rise/drop ball mount so that the trailer…

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Answer 12

I would recommend that Blue Ox TrackPro #BLU77FR simply because it does not have lift chains like the SwayPro #BXW1006. Both will do a great job but the TrackPro will have a little less movement because of the absence of drop chains. Blue Ox is a…

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Troubleshooting Curt Trutrac System Digging Into Brackets

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