we want to help you get your next
camping trip started off on the right
foot and today we're going to show you
how to properly hit your travel trailer
to a tow vehicle with these types of RVs
a weight distribution hitch is the most
common due to the average weight of a
travel trailer the main feature of a
weight distribution hitch is the long
rods called
spring rods which help redistribute the
weight lightening the load on the tow
vehicle to allow better steering to
start raise the trailer tongue to make
sure there's enough room for the hitch
ball to go underneath the coupler
once in place position the tow vehicle
so the hitch ball is under the coupler
and insert wheel chocks to keep the
trailer from moving then open the
coupler latch and use the crank to lower
the coupler onto the hitch ball after
placing the coupler correctly lock the
latch and insert a hitch pin to avoid
the ball unhitching after inserting the
pin raise the trailer tongue another few
inches with the tongue jack to install
the spring bars take the first spring
bar and insert one end into the hitch
lower the snap up bracket or saddle and
place the chain link onto the hook if
you have a dual cam hitch setup place
the bars on the ends of the cam using
the short piece of pipe that came with
your snap up brackets raise them back to
their standard position and secure them
with a clip once you have done this with
the first spring bar repeat the process
for the second one after both spring
bars are secured safety clip the snap up
brackets and retract the tongue jack so
that there's no concern of the jack
feeding the road next are the safety
chains attach the chains to a permanent
part of the vehicle towing the RV you
can either connect the chains parallel
or cross them making an X under the
hitch to make a cradle for the coupler
it is recommended you cross the chains
by doing this it will prevent the
coupler from hitting the ground should
the hitch not stay secure when
connecting the chains they should be
long enough to allow the tow vehicle and
trailer to turn sharply but not long
enough for them to drag on the ground as
an extra safety precaution the next step
is to attach the breakaway cable to a
permanent part of the tow vehicle you
must not attach this to another piece
that supports the trailer tongue if your
trailer detaches from the vehicle
emergency brakes will then be applied to
stop your trailer it is important to
note you must have a battery connected
in order for the breakaway cable to work
properly
lastly plug the trailer electrical cord
into the receiver on the tow vehicle
while assuring it will not drag on the
ground while in motion once completed
check all lights and the brake
controller for a proper connection after
completing these steps you are ready to
hit the road finding the correct balance
point may take a couple of tries if you
don't apply enough weight or too much
weight on the spring bars you'll end up
either see-sawing
on highways or potentially losing
traction on your tow vehicles wheels so
take your time and don't get discouraged
if it takes more than one attempt when
you're ready to unhitch insert your
wheel chocks and disconnect the safety
chains and all electrical wires from the
tow vehicle then raise the tongue high
enough to take most of the weight off
the spring bars and remove the safety
clips from the snap up brackets continue
by lowering the bracket and release the
chain it is vital that there is minimum
weight if any on the spring bars when
you do this lower the tongue to put the
weight on the hitch ball then unlock and
release the coupler finally raise the
trailer tongue until the coupler is
clear of the hitch ball
making sure all of these steps are
covered ensures your safety and the
safety of those around you thanks for
watching and happy camping
