Setting Tension On Bars In Reese Strait-Line Weight Distribution System.

Question:

Hello I recently purchased a 25ft travel trailer that also came with a 66087 tow kit to attach my 2015 dodge ram 1500 sport. I cant find any manual that tells me how tight to pull up the bars when towing. it comes with a short bar and I have friends that have older tow attachments that do not have the sway kit mine has but they have longer bars that they use to crank up their suspension bars for towing and put lots of tension on. I have been trying four links and three links on my chain which I can do with just my hands not even using the bar for leverage? how much tension should be used ? or do you have a good manual that I can down load describing how to properly adjust the tension on these bars Thanks

asked by: Jim C

Expert Reply:

The amount of tension needed will vary from vehicle to vehicle and trailer to trailer. When installing a Reese Strait-Line System, like # RP66087, we typically start with the link closest to the bracket when the chain on the tension bar is lifted. Using the trailer jack to raise the truck and trailer will allow you to gain more chain tension on the system. Once the trailer's weight is supported by the truck, measure the front wheel-well. You will want the wheel-well to measure as close to unloaded wheel-well height as possible. The chain can be adjusted to increase or decrease tension from there.

I have attached an installation video of a similar Reese Strait-Line System for you to see the process. The adjustment of the tension bars starts around the 7:40 mark.

The pry bar is included incase you need it for leverage to raise the snap-up bracket into place.

expert reply by: Victoria B