The heavy weight of the tongue when towing a trailer sometimes causes the rear of the tow vehicle to sag. This leads to poor handling. Weight distribution hitches eliminate this type of problem. The weight distribution hitch equalizes the weight of the tongue by placing the weight of the trailer equally on all four corners. The correct hitch ball height must be achieved for the weight distribution hitch to function efficiently.

You will need the following materials when measuring height: a ratchet wrench, a tape measure, a socket wrench, and a hitch pin that has a locking pin.

1. The trailer to be towed must be packed on level ground. Remove the trailer hitch from the vehicle to be towed. The trailer should be leveled by moving the jack on the trailer tongue in the required direction. The bubble on the side level of the trailer should be exactly in the middle of the two lines. Use the tape measure to measure the distance between the ground and the top of the hitch ball coupler.

2. At the rear of the tow vehicle, insert the hitch drawbar into the receiver hitch making sure it is properly engaged. Insert a hitch pin into a hole in the side drawbar to make sure the bar is secure. Use a locking pin to secure it. Measure from the top of the hitch ball to the ground. The measurement taken must be greater than that of the trailer coupler. For every 100 lbs. trailer tongue weight, measurements must exceed 1/8 inch. For example, for 800 lb. trailer tongue weight, hitch ball height should be one inch higher than trailer hitch ball coupler.

3. Use a racket wrench and socket to remove the two retaining bolts from the hitch stem. The hitch ball is mounted on the hitch stem. In the two closest vertical mounting holes on the drawbar, slide the stem. This will position the top of the hitch ball at the previously determined target height.

4. After this, the retaining bolts must be put back into the mounting holes. Finger tighten the nuts only. Tilt the hitch head slightly forward. On the stem pin that comes with the hitch, carefully fit two washers. Next at the top of the stem is a non-threaded hole where you need to insert the pin.

5. Make sure the hitch head rests against the pin by tilting it. Use a ratchet wrench and ratchet to tighten the two retaining bolts on the shank of the hitch.

Tow your trailer to a commercial scale to weigh it if you don’t know the tongue weight. The weight distribution hitch will make sure that all the weight is distributed equally. It also helps prevent the trailer from swaying to some extent.