Troubleshooting Bent Lift Brackets on a Reese Weight Distribution System

Question

Question:

I have a 33ft TT with gross weight of 8500 and tounge weight of 950. I bought a set of 1200lb trunnion bars and have a straight line sway control. I set the weight distribution at 7 links to level my f250. I pulled it this weekend and it bent the left front lift bracket. Was it to tight? Can you let me know what you think?

asked by: Tony W

0

Expert Reply:

It sounds to me like you will need the Replacement Heavy Duty Snap-Up Bracket for Reese Weight Distribution Systems, # 58392, to keep from bending the tip up brackets with your trailer. When trailers get near the 1,000 pound tongue weight range the tip up brackets can be a bit weak for the weight of the trailer and the stiffness of the suspension on heavy duty trucks like your Ford F-250.

I recommend replacing both brackets, as you will most likely bend the bracket on the right side once the left side bracket is set.

If you are using excessive force to tip the brackets over then you should consider readjusting the system following the weight distribution system instructions, and measuring the before and after wheel well heights on the F-250. I have included a link to installation instructions for you to review, although they may not apply to your specific weight distribution system.

You could also try adjusting the angle of the hitch ball closer to the truck to try using about 5 chain links to level your truck instead of 7. Normally though, more chain links will lessen the stress on the tip up brackets.

Another possibility is that you could be bending the bracket when backing the trailer. If you are backing into very tight situations, there could be excess pressure put on the system and you would need to remember to remove the spring bars when getting into these circumstances.

Finally, your system may have the older brackets on the dual cam system. There has been a redesign of the hanger bracket, see item # 2 in the installation instructions below, on the Dual Cam Sway Control System, # 26002. This new bracket, # 58192, has a curve in it that hangs the chain more inline under the tip up bracket and more directly over the spring bar allowing for a more centered pull on the tip up brackets.

expert reply by: Robert G

0

Answer 1

No you would not need to add 2 inches to the Y dimension for the initial setup of the Strait-Line Weight Distribution #RP66130. Because the snap up brackets actually go on top of the frame and the measurement for the B couplers is relative to the…

view full answer...

Answer 2

Yes, it is my experience that they dual-cam sway control works much better than the Blue Ox systems. I recently have been riding in trucks towing trailers, one with the Blue Ox and one with a Reese system with the dual-cam sway control. The Blue Ox…

view full answer...

Answer 3

The Reese and Draw-Tite products are manufactured by the same parent company, this means that the #26102 and #26002, Dual Cam Sway Control systems are the same, but there is a difference in the generations of the systems. The older systems had Hanger…

view full answer...

Answer 4

Originally, the hanger brackets for dual-cam sway control were flat. Then they started making them bent like the ones for #RP26002. But currently they are flat again. The brackets will work with the old style or new style of dual-cam sway control.

view full answer...

Answer 5

The replacement cam arms are sold in a pair #RP26002 or just the replacement arm #RP58435. Due to the inheritance of your setup you may have a set of gold colored cam arms instead of silver. If this is the case you would want to replace both arms…

view full answer...

Answer 6

If you have the Reese 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Square Tube Slider - Single Jaw - 20,000 lbs #RP30084 you asked from or a similar Reese Elite or Select hitch head, I can help with some of the chucking. This is the back and forth banging you…

view full answer...

Answer 7

The B&W Companion hitches that fit only in the gooseneck ball hole cannot be used with Reese Revolution/Sidewinder pin boxes because the pivot point is locked out at the hitch head. When using a Reese Revolution or Sidewinder style pin box the…

view full answer...

Answer 8

The Reese Revolution pin boxes are really nice but they have one big drawback which is they can't be used basically with any type of gooseneck to fifth wheel adapter due to the connection point being down the center of the hitch and not around…

view full answer...

Answer 9

For your 2016 Ram Crew Cab With 5.5 foot bed, I recommend the Reese Quick-Install Custom Bracket Kit for 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches #RP50142 to go with your rails. You will also need the Replacement Hardware Kit for Fifth Wheel Base Rails - 10 Bolt…

view full answer...

Answer 10

The Curt #C16444-204 5th wheel install bracket/rail kit is compatible with the 2016 Ram 1500 with the factory air suspension. When installed, the rails will place the hitch so that the 5th wheel king pin sits slightly forward of the rear axle center…

view full answer...

Answer 11

The Jayco Eagle Superlight is rated at GVWR of 10,200 lbs. There are only certain combinations of a 2016 Ram 1500 4x4 with 5.7L Hemi that will pull that much weight. Here are the 4x4 combinations that work: Quad cab 6ft 4 inch box with 3.92 axle…

view full answer...

Answer 12

It looks like the set screw on your weight distribution system is bent along with the part of the snap-up bracket it goes through. This is normally an indication that the system was overloaded, the trailer requires a higher capacity system, or the…

view full answer...

Troubleshooting Bent Lift Brackets on a Reese Weight Distribution System

Products Referenced in This Question

Product Page this Question was Asked From

Continue Researching