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Hayman Reese Weight Distribution Fitting and Usage Guide


SAFETY NOTE - INSTALLATION AND OPERATOR TIPS
 

  1. Use the jockey wheel whilst the coupling is still engaged with the tow ball to lift the vehicle and trailer to avoid unnecessary straining on the person raising or lowering the snap up brackets.
  2. Use both hands on the snap up handle to control the pressure and always ensure your legs and feet are not in a position where the bracket handle or the end of the spring bar can come in contact with them.
  3. ALWAYS MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE SNAP UP BRACKET UNTIL THE SAFETY CLIP IS IN POSITION - AS THE SPRING BAR IS UNDER HIGH TENSION, INJURY MAY OCCUR IF THE SNAPUP BRACKET IS NOT CONTROLLED BEFORE THE SAFETY CLIP IS FITTED.
  4. Disengage the spring bars of the weight distribution system when driving or reversing into and out of driveways
  5. Whilst driving, it should always be observed that the Weight Distribution system be disengaged (ie release Spring Bars) when: negotiating rough, uneven terrain, entering or exiting driveways, short steep gutters, access ramps, speed humps and dips, negotiating tight, acute turning at low speeds, or when travelling up/down steep abrupt inclines (ie sever, undulating road surfaces)
  6. Drive with caution over corrugated roads, and approach inclines slowly whilst the weight distribution system is in use. Disengage spring bars as deemed necessary.
  7. The spring bars will develop a camber in them following use (Which is completely normal) and will have no adverse affects on performance.
  8. Some noise may be heard from the Weight Distributing Hitch (usually when travelling slowly or around tight corners). This is normal having no adverse effects on performance. Lubrication (preferably dry lube) may be applied to the spring bar mounting points to reduce noise
  9. To reduce wear at friction points, ensure the weight distribution head components are cleaned regularly.

NOTE: weight distributing hitches restrict the operation of the override brakes. We recommend the use of independent braking systems in conjunction with weight distributing hitches.

HR WDH Setup HR WDH Setup

HR WDH Setup HR WDH Setup
 

HR WDH Vehicle Receiver Components

HR WDH Vehicle Receiver Components HR WDH Vehicle Receiver Components
 

HR WDH Setup HR WDH Setup

HR WDH Setup HR WDH Setup


Installation Instructions (approximately 60 mins)

  1. Ensure vehicle and caravan are both on flat even level ground and aligned in a straight line with at least 3 meters clear in front of vehicle.
  2. Ensure vehicle and caravan are loaded the way they would normally be when towing.
  3. With the jockey wheel attached to the caravan, drive vehicle forward to provide sufficient working area between vehicle and van.
  4. Using the jockey wheel, level out the caravan using a point on the front and rear of van on a common plan (e.g. under chassis). Record this measurement.
  5. Measure height from ground to underside of coupling and record this measurement.
  6. Measure the vehicle front and rear height from ground to wheel arches. Record these measurements
  7. Insert the adjustable drop shank into the hitch receive on the vehicle and secure with the pull pin and clip. The shank can be used in either direction to ensure the correct ball height is achieved. Optional drop shanks are available if additional adjustment is required.
  8. Slide the ball mount head over the shank so that the top plate is at the same measurement as the height of the coupling as recorded. Insert the 115mm long bottom bolt in the nearest hole. If the exact height can't be achieved, use the next nearest lower hole, fit the spring washer and nut.
  9. Insert the longer 127mm top bolt with one of the cams against the head of the bolt, and slide through the ball mount head and the shank so that the top plate is horizontal, attach the second cam, spring washer and nut on the other side and tighten both nuts semi tight.
  10. Fit the tow ball to the top plate of the weight distribution head.Spring bar and snap up bracket assembly and installation
  11. Use the jockey wheel to raise the coupling enough to provide clearance over the towball, approx 80-100mm.
  12. Attach chain to each springbar using the U bolts and locking nuts. Tighten locking nuts evenly until there is a minimum of 5mm (2-3 threads) exposed past the bottom of the nut and the chain can still rotate in all directions without binding on the U Bolt
  13. Fit set screw to snap up bracket and position the bracket over the A frame of the caravan so that the chain will hang vertically when connected. For the 30" springbars, position the centre of the snap up bracket this distance from the centre of the towball. Finger tighten set screw against the inside of the A frame and then tighten a further full turn. Do not overtighten.
  14. Reverse the vehicle until the towball is directly under the coupling.
  15. Using the jockey wheel lower the coupling onto the towball and secure with the locking mechanism.
  16. Using the jockey wheel raise the coupling until the caravan is roughly level or slightly above
  17. From the underside, insert the formed end of the springbar into the lower hold of the ball mount head at 90 degrees to the coupling, push springbar upwards and align with the top hole, rotate the springbar towards vehicle until the keyway aligns, then rotate springbar away from vehicle to align with A frame of caravan.
  18. Lift the pivoting arm of the snap up bracket so it is parallel with the ground, hold the chain from the springbar vertically and connect to nearest chain link onto the hook of the pivot arm. Slide the lifiting handle over the end of the pivoting arm, raise the handle fully to allow the pivoting arm to go over centre, install the safety pin through the snap up bracket base and pivoting arm. Do no release the tension on the lifting handle until the safety pin is fully in place.
  19. Repeat process for other side. Make sure the same number of links are being used on both sides. Springbars can be used on either side, they are not right or left handed.
    NOTE: Ensure there is a minimum of 4 working chain links between the pivot arm hook and the springbar. If this can't be achieved with the current setup, remove the caravan and adjust the cams on the top bolt to angle the towball AWAY from the vehicle.
  20. Chains needs to be straight up and down when fully attached.
  21. Working links are those that are not attached to either the springbar U Bolt or the bracket


Adjustment and fine tuning

  1. Raise the jockey wheel and remove
  2. Measure the caravan and vehicle. Ideally the complete combination should have settled by an equal amount of approx 15mm.
  3. If the front of the vehicle has settle more than the rear, you will need to increase the amount of working links. If more links are not available, remove the springbars, remove the caravan and adjust cams to change angle of tow ball TOWARDS vehicle.
  4. Follow springbar installation process to refit the springbars and measure again. If they have still not settled evenly, then readjust the height of the ball mount head.
  5. Once correct setup has been achieved, tighten the two M19 bolts on the heads 190Nm.

Too much weight on FRONT of car - angle tow ball TOWARDS vehicle.
Too much weight on REAR of car - angle tow ball AWAY from vehicle.

 

 

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