Weight-distributing Hitch – Vehicles with Air Suspension
WARNING:
Do not adjust a weight-distributing hitch to any
position where the rear bumper of the vehicle is higher than it
was before attaching the trailer. Doing so will defeat the function of the
weight-distributing hitch, which may cause unpredictable handling, and
could result in serious personal injury.
When hooking-up a trailer using a weight-distributing hitch, always use
the following procedure:
1. If your vehicle is equipped with the Easy Entry/Kneel feature, turn it
off using the information display.
2. Park your vehicle, without trailer and with the ignition on, on a level
surface with all doors closed for a few minutes to make sure that the
air suspension has settled.
3. Measure the height of the top of your vehicle’s front wheel opening
on the fender. This is H1.
4. Attach the trailer to your vehicle. Do not install the
weight-distributing bars at this time.
5. With the ignition on and all doors closed, let your vehicle (with
trailer) sit for a few minutes to let the air suspension re-settle.
6. With the trailer connected, but without weight-distributing bars
connected, measure the height of the top of your vehicle’s front
wheel opening on the fender a second time. This is H2.
7. Install and adjust the tension in the weight distributing bars so that
the height of the front fender is approximately halfway between H1
and H2.
8. With the ignition on and all doors closed, let your vehicle (now with
trailer and weight distributing bars connected) sit for a few minutes
to let the air suspension re-settle.
9. Re-measure the height of the top of the front wheel opening,
repeating Steps 7-9 as necessary to obtain a fender height
approximately halfway between H1 and H2 after the air suspension
has settled.
10. Check that the trailer is level. If it is not level, remove the trailer,
adjust the ball height accordingly, and repeat Steps 4–10.
262
Towing
2013 Expedition
(exd)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, April 2013
USA
(fus)