Trailer Load Distribution Bars

[Mark L.]

No exactly Corvette related but hopefully one of you folks can help me out. I have a United V Nose trailer. See attached photo of the nose. Can this be outfitted with load bars or does the geometry prevent this. I've had a couple trailer businesses tell me it is a no go.
Thanks trailer.jpg

[Larry E.]

Mark: I have a United Regular Trailer that uses the loading bars.
I do not see where you got the room to use these bars with
Your picture; unless they make some special bars made for your type of trailer. Larry

[Mike M.]

no go from here too( as Larry pointed out). regards mark, mike

[Mark L.]

Of course the other question I forgot to ask is what are the brackets that are welded to the frame? The only purpose I can see for them is "hold downs" if the trailer is being transported on a carrier.

[Larry E.]

Mark: I would call United Trailers Customer Service. (Have your serial# ready) I have
done this before with mine and they will the answer for you. Larry P.S. (Google United
Trailers to get the phone#)

[Gary C.]

Mark,

Found this info in an article about short spring arms for a V nose trailer like yours.

Another option might be to weld brackets to the frame under the trailer if you already have an equalizer hitch.

https://www.equalizerhitch.com/manuals-and-guides/installation-guides/v-nose-trailer/

Gary
....

Curt Short-Arm Weight Distribution System # C17422, which is designed specifically for trailers like this and will work on trailers with a tongue weight between 1000-lbs and 1500-lbs. Instead of the clamp on brackets that come with this system you would need to use the Bolt-On Chain Hangers # C17005, which will bolt to the side of your trailer frame and not your trailer tongue. The spring bars on this system are 28-3/8" long

[Terry M.]

How long is the trailer and how many axles? What is your tow vehicle? A lot of variables…maybe you don’t need equalizer bars?

[Mark L.]

Thanks everyone for the thoughts. The trailer is a typical two axle 18 ft enclosed v-nose. I did speak with United(thanks Larry) and their suggestion is to put an air lift kit in if the truck squats. I may be trying to solve a problem I don't have. I'll have to do more testing to see if the air lift kit is worthwhile.

[Dave P.]

Keep in mind that air bags and equalizer bars accomplish two different things. Tongue weight is the consideration. Bags carry load over the rear axle. Bars transfer weight to the front axle, and reduce weight on the rear axle.

without bars, weight on the hitch cantilevers weight off the front axle, and adds that weight to the rear axle. It's mathematics. Distance from the hitch to the c/l of the rear axle divided by the distance between both axles c/l. (Use the wheel base number on the door sticker). 150" W.B. and 50" to the hitch = .33 1000 pounds on the tongue is 333 less on the front axle, and 1333 added to the rear axle.

Air bags support the load on the rear axle, but do nothing to transfer tongue weight back to the front axle. Weight on the front axle affects steering and braking. Equalizer bars put some of the tongue weight back on the front axle. Depending on geometry, the bars also help to keep the trailer from lifting the front wheels during hard braking.

It depends on how much tongue weight you have. You can get a lot of stuff in the nose of a V-nose, and tongue weight goes up quickly. It's only an 18 foot trailer. You may not need the bars, but If you can fit bars, you'll be safer, particularly during hard braking. You'll also have a nicer ride in the truck with bars.

[Larry E.]

Mark: I also noticed that the bars really help a lot to stabilize your ride on a very
windy day. Good luck on your search. Let us know your outcome. Larry P.S. My
United Trailer is also a 18'.

[Ed N.]

I've been using wht. dist. bar since day one I started trailering. If definitely helps stabilize the trailer. I have over 25,000 of trailering and never had any swaying issues. My brackets are bolted to the A-frame. The truck you are pulling with also makes a difference. I saw a big difference between a 1/2 ton truck and the 3/4 ton truck.