Andersen Weight Distribution Hitch - on a Boat Trailer?

[DBN]

I have a Cobalt 226, with a combined trailer and boat weight of 5400 lbs...Tongue Weight of approximately 570 lbs. I am towing with a 2017 Dodge Durango, GT, V6, AWD, Leveling Suspension, Tow Package IV...rated to tow 6200 Lbs when properly equipped. I have Electric over Hydraulic Disc Brakes on one of tandem axles. I have a Tekonsha Prodigy P2 brake controller set at Boost 1. I use a STEEP boat ramp in TX, and have had issues with the front wheels dragging on the Durango while backing down the ramp at a very slow speed...even when the ramp is dry. I thought the Andersen WDH would stop that issue...any one with suggestions on adjustment to the Andersen WDH?

 

[alldodge]

Howdy

IMO: the hitch won't help
Best way to back down a steep ramp with an automatic transmission, is put the selector in Drive (forward) and let it ease its self down the ramp. To slow down or even stop, give it a bit of gas.

If its not to steep, put selector in Neutral and use the breaks. If needed all you have to do is drop it in drive to stop and hold

 

[GA_Boater]

Welcome aboard.

First of all, are the trailer working?

More boost when backing down the ramp might be needed.

 

[DBN]

Howdy

IMO: the hitch won't help
Best way to back down a steep ramp with an automatic transmission, is put the selector in Drive (forward) and let it ease its self down the ramp. To slow down or even stop, give it a bit of gas.

If its not to steep, put selector in Neutral and use the breaks. If needed all you have to do is drop it in drive to stop and hold

Leaving the Tow Vehicle in Drive, I did not know that you could do that! I will try that this weekend.

 

[DBN]

Welcome aboard.

First of all, are the trailer working?

More boost when backing down the ramp might be needed.

The trailer is a 2012 Road Runner and is in perfect shape, (weight 1450 lbs) and the brakes are new Kodiak with Brake Rite Pump, and working well...just installed. More boost (?) ...I will try this technique this weekend..on "Boost 2." Thank you for the suggestion!

 

[GA_Boater]

Had to ask about working brakes, ya know.

I don't have brakes that work when backing up, so when the front wheels want to lock up when backing down a ramp, I pull on the E-brake. Some drag on the rear wheels helps because normal truck braking bias is toward the front and going down a ramp needs to be toward the rear.

 

[bruceb58]

Crank up the gain on your brake controller. Boost is only how fast it brings in your gain setting.

If you can disable the auto leveling and make sure the WDH does all the leveling, I would prefer that.

With your load, you should have brakes on both axles. What disc brakes are you using?

 

[oldjeep]

Just use the manual brake lever on the controller if it is dragging you down the ramp. The prodigy is inertial and there isn't a spec of inertia when you are creeping backwards down a ramp.

 

[bruceb58]

Just use the manual brake lever on the controller if it is dragging you down the ramp. The prodigy is inertial and there isn't a spec of inertia when you are creeping backwards down a ramp.

Just putting your foot on the brake pedal will cause a small signal to be sent to the electric/hydraulic controller. I agree it's not much and boosting the gain when going down the ramp will help. I have the exact same electric/hydraulic unit that the OP has. I back down a very steep driveway as well. The trailer brakes do come on and definitely are helping.

Sounds to me like he is able to stop but the front wheels don't have enough weight on them.

 

[bruceb58]

Also, the Prodigy P2 does have an electric/hydraulic mode you can put it into. Not exactly sure what it does as I have it on my P3 and hard to tell what it does.

There is also a reverse mode as well. Also not sure what it does.

 

[oldjeep]

Yeah, I've got a P3 but the only thing I use the boost for is quickly adjusting from an empty car trailer to a full one so I don't have to mess with the gain adjustment. Using the oh s$%t lever would work well for backing down a steep hill since you are determining the braking power manually without having to fiddle with the boost/gain

 

[H20Rat]

Although it is a little concerning, sliding the front wheels isn't really a big deal. I load on a ramp that is mostly gravel with a little broken pavement under it. Sliding is the norm... The back tires have A LOT of weight on them due to transfer, so almost all of your braking capability is there. You mentioned AWD, can you lock it into 4x4? That will help better than any other technique.

 

[bruceb58]

Although it is a little concerning, sliding the front wheels isn't really a big deal.

Unless you like to steer.

 

[H20Rat]

Unless you like to steer.

Depends on your ramp layout I guess. At the one I frequent, if you are steering that late on the ramp, you need to pull forward and try again anyway. The ramp is about a foot wider than my trailer tires, very little room if the trailer isn't already dead straight.