Nashville TJ's Build - Continued

gasiorv said:
Jeff, as you said with your truck, for short trips it probably doesn't matter.

But just in general a Weight Distribution Hitch just makes good sense all around when bumper pulling. The WDH takes some weight off the rear axle and distributes it to the front axle. While doing so it will also levels the trailer and the truck. Bags/air shocks/etc are just to level the truck due to weight in the bed and don't transfer any weight to the front axle, the weight remains on the rear axle, in fact in theory it could actually "attact" more weight since the spring rate would be stiffer. Remember to set up your WDH with no air in the bags, then adjust afterwards for more leveling if needed.
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Exactly the reason I run a WDH, it keeps things level and distributes the weight both to the front axle of the truck but also to the trailer axles. I don't 'need' it for my 2500, but do find the ride better and it eliminates the porpoising affect or as Jeff says, hobby horsing especially on some of those highways. I've never run the sway control on mine, but never found any issues with sway either, and I've been across the country multiple times with this setup. Another advantage is that the WDH is a bit longer, so now I can lower my tailgate without hitting the tongue jack.
 
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Due to the high winds and many hills we have in places up here I get asked about sway control all the time. First thing I ask is if they are running a WDH and the majority of the time the answer is no. So out comes my long winded explanation of all the virtues of a WDH and why you need one before adding a sway control. Also it is surprising up here how many tow without having functioning trailer brakes which is far more important than sway control as well.
 
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Blackjack said:
Due to the high winds and many hills we have in places up here I get asked about sway control all the time. First thing I ask is if they are running a WDH and the majority of the time the answer is no. So out comes my long winded explanation of all the virtues of a WDH and why you need one before adding a sway control. Also it is surprising up here how many tow without having functioning trailer brakes which is far more important than sway control as well.
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Wait - I need brakes?

🙂
 
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Quick update since I posted this project earlier. 10 coats of hand rubbed oil later, the Sofa Table is complete.

IMG_0291.JPG
 
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NashvilleTJ said:
Quick update since I posted this project earlier. 10 coats of hand rubbed oil later, the Sofa Table is complete.

View attachment 321095
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This is what a build thread turns into when you reach the light at the end of the tunnel (I.e. tons and fodeez!) 😉

Beautiful piece!
 
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My 3500 only squats about .5" with the Jeep/Trailer bumper hitched... about 700lbs on the hitch... Truck actually rides and drives better with it on there lol, smoother, and I don't run a weight distributing hitch... My GMC only calls for that if trailer is over 12k lbs.

10% tongue weight is just fine for a dual axle trailer, 15% if single axle is a safer number though... dual axles resist sway more.

I have some little doodads installed in the springs to engage the lower helper springs when I have the 2.5k camper on the back though, helps with side to side sway. I just have the lowers but they work great.

https://www.torklift.com/blog/categories/truck-camper-suspension
 
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Getting ready to load up the rig for Moab. I had a few minutes, so I took the opportunity to take a tongue weight. This is with the Jeep in the position on the trailer in which I usually run it.


IMG_0503.JPG

:oops:

Holy crap - that's a bit more than I expected. Since my guess is that the loaded trailer is in the 9-10,000 lb range, my tongue weight should be more like a grand. I've ran the rig a lot and found that this position towed very well - but it seems like too much weight.

So I pulled the rig back about 6 inches to see what it did to the tongue weight.

IMG_0504.JPG


A little better at 1175 pounds.


IMG_0505.JPG


I'll position it here for now, and tomorrow I'll take a quick test drive with the weight distributing hitch and see how she does.
 
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NashvilleTJ said:
Getting ready to load up the rig for Moab. I had a few minutes, so I took the opportunity to take a tongue weight. This is with the Jeep in the position on the trailer in which I usually run it.


View attachment 324530
:oops:

Holy crap - that's a bit more than I expected. Since my guess is that the loaded trailer is in the 9-10,000 lb range, my tongue weight should be more like a grand. I've ran the rig a lot and found that this position towed very well - but it seems like too much weight.

So I pulled the rig back about 6 inches to see what it did to the tongue weight.

View attachment 324531

A little better at 1175 pounds.


View attachment 324533

I'll position it here for now, and tomorrow I'll take a quick test drive with the weight distributing hitch and see how she does.
Click to expand...
I thought I was misreading that first number initially... lol
 
NashvilleTJ said:
Getting ready to load up the rig for Moab. I had a few minutes, so I took the opportunity to take a tongue weight. This is with the Jeep in the position on the trailer in which I usually run it.


View attachment 324530
:oops:

Holy crap - that's a bit more than I expected. Since my guess is that the loaded trailer is in the 9-10,000 lb range, my tongue weight should be more like a grand. I've ran the rig a lot and found that this position towed very well - but it seems like too much weight.

So I pulled the rig back about 6 inches to see what it did to the tongue weight.

View attachment 324531

A little better at 1175 pounds.


View attachment 324533

I'll position it here for now, and tomorrow I'll take a quick test drive with the weight distributing hitch and see how she does.
Click to expand...
That definitely could be unloading your front end.

Just put mine on the trailer and I’m about 700 lbs based on the weigh safe. Leaving in 10 minutes, be in Moab tomorrow.
 
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find that sweet spot if it likes this push it back 2" more try that, maybe. put ya couple chocks on the deck and just run up to um, your golden.

thats like takin a load of fire wood out of the bed.
 
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All loaded up and ready to head out for Moab first thing tomorrow morning. I'm meeting my friend Chris ('92 Vegas YJ over on Jeep Forum) just outside of St. Louis after lunch - and then 1500 miles to mecca.


IMG_0510.JPG

If anyone is interested in following along, I'll be posting a bit to Instagram. I'm jeff_doster over there.

The bike just looks pissed - it knows I'm going to be in the dirt without it.

IMG_0512.JPG
 
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Safe travels and have a BLAST. Say Howdy to Chris for me and take TONS of pictures & videos. Hope to be joining you all SOON on some of these trips.
 
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NashvilleTJ said:
All loaded up and ready to head out for Moab first thing tomorrow morning. I'm meeting my friend Chris ('92 Vegas YJ over on Jeep Forum) just outside of St. Louis after lunch - and then 1500 miles to mecca.


View attachment 324686
If anyone is interested in following along, I'll be posting a bit to Instagram. I'm jeff_doster over there.

The bike just looks pissed - it knows I'm going to be in the dirt without it.

View attachment 324687
Click to expand...
have fun, bummed I can't join you guys this year, hopefully next...
 
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