Continuum WDHK4500 User manual

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CONTINUUM™ WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION HITCH INSTALLATION MANUAL
CALL OR E-MAIL FOR INSTALLATION SUPPORT
PHONE: [phone]
[email protected]
WDHK4500
WDHH4500
Head unit with 2” Shank
WDHL4510
Load bars and hydraulic unit
with NO cylinder extension
WDHK4501
WDHH4500
Head unit with 2” Shank
WDHL4511
Load bars and hydraulic unit
WITH cylinder extension
WDHK4502
WDHH4502
Head unit with 2-1/2” Shank
WDHL4510
Load bars and hydraulic unit
with NO cylinder extension
WDHK4503
WDHH4502
Head unit with 2-1/2” Shank
WDHL4511
Load bars and hydraulic unit
WITH cylinder extension
16,000 lb. max trailer weight with tongue weight between 600lbs. & 1,600 lbs.
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BOX: WDHH4500 & WDHH4502
# DESCRIPTION QTY
1 Head Unit 1
2 3/4” Receiver Pin w/ Cotter 1
BOLT BAG: 4210-200
# DESCRIPTION QTY
13 2” x 3” x 3/8” U-Bolt 1
14 3/8” x 8” Cap Screw 4
15 3/8” x 3/4” Flange Head Bolt 3
16 3/8” x 3” Flange Head Bolt 2
17 3/8” Flange Nut 8
1
4
3
5
6
10
While installation is being performed, check for signs of
damage or excessive corrosion. Do not install hitch
components over vehicle or trailer parts that are
broken or have compromised structural integrity.
Adding hitch components to the chassis of any vehicle
or trailer can be hazardous. There is potential for
unexpected combustion of fuel, electric shock, burns,
shifting or falling of unstable vehicle, damage to vehicle,
injury from tool usage and many other hazards. This
installation must be completed by someone who is
aware of the hazards involved. This person must be
knowledgeable of proper safety procedures for a
vehicle and trailer modification of this nature, and for
usage of the equipment required to perform the
installation.
Without proper knowledge, towing can be a dangerous
activity. Understand all the risks involved with towing
before proceeding. For information on towing safety,
see "The Trailer Handbook: A Guide to
Understanding Trailer and Towing Safety" from the
National Association of Trailer Manufacturers,
www.NATM.com and your trailer and tow vehicle
manufacturer's owner's manual.
Do not exceed tow or tongue rating of coupler, tow or
tongue rating of hitch, or tow or weight ratings of tow
vehicle or trailer. See vehicle and trailer manufacturer
information for ratings. Exceeding these ratings may
cause damage to towing components or loss of
attachment between the trailer and vehicle.
Do not modify this product in any manner. Doing so
could alter its integrity and lead to a loss of attachment
between the trailer and the tow vehicle.
A visual inspection of the towing components should be
performed before each use. Regularly check that all
connections are secure, including those that secure the
hitch to the vehicle. Check for cracks or damage to the
hitch, tow vehicle receiver, trailer coupler and frame.
Do not use the hitch if cracks or damage outside of
normal wear is found. Using a hitch that has unsecure
connections and/or cracks or damage could result in
damage to the tow vehicle, trailer, towing components
and loss of attachment between the tow vehicle and
trailer.
Failure to comply with the safety information in these
instructions could result in serious injury or death.
IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE FOR HITCH INSTALLERS AND CUSTOMERS.
Read all installation and operating instructions along with all labels before installing or using this product. Do not perform
any installation or towing procedures without fully understanding the correct tools and actions for all steps. Call B&W
Trailer Hitches Customer Service Department for support, if needed.
18
Follow all manufacturer instructions and warnings for
tow vehicle and trailer. The Continuum weight
distribution hitch is designed to work with vehicles and
trailers designed to use weight distribution hitches. Do
not use the Continuum hitch with any vehicle or trailer
that is not compatible for use with a weight distribution
hitch.
2
7
Continuum Hitch Components
BOX: WDHL4510* & WDHL4511
# DESCRIPTION QTY
3 Hydraulic Pump & Cylinder 1
4 Load Bar Assembly 1
5 Top Cylinder Mount 1
6 Pump Mount Bracket 1
7 Pump Mount Inside Clamp 1
8 Frame Clamp 2
9 Top Mount Washer Plate 2
10 Fork Holder Bracket 1
11 Top Cylinder Mount Pin 1
12 Cotter Pin 1
8 9
13
17
11
12
14
17
15
17
16
19 20
Extension kit (*not present in
WDHL4510 box)
# DESCRIPTION QTY
18 Hydraulic Cylinder Extension 1
19 3/4” x 4-1/4” Cap Screw 1
20 3/4” Lock Nut 1
Tire condition can influence trailer sway. Never tow
with tires that are under inflated, over loaded, or
damaged. These conditions will greatly lower the speed
at which the trailer will remain stable and may lead to
loss of control. Check tire condition before each tow.

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Coupler ball size. The Continuum hitch is configured for
trailers with 2-5/16” ball couplers. 2” ball replacements
are available for purchase from B&W. Changing the ball
requires specialized tools, for this reason B&W
recommends having a dealership replace the ball.
Detailed information on ball replacement is shown on
page 10.
Coupler style. The coupler of the trailer will determine
if you need an extension on your cylinder. There are
two different weight distribution hitch kits available
depending on the distance between the top of the
trailer frame rails and the top of coupler.
• B&W Kit# WDHL4510 is necessary if the top of the
coupler is above the trailer frame or less than 2.5”
below the top of the trailer frame, see top half of
Figure A1.
• B&W Kit# WDHL4511 is necessary if the top of the
coupler is more than 2.5” below than the top of the
trailer frame, see bottom half of Figure A1.
Tow configuration. The Continuum hitch fits a majority
of tow vehicle and trailer configurations. Review each
point below to confirm your configuration is
compatible.
• The Continuum hitch is rated for trailers that weigh
a maximum of 16,000 lbs. It is capable of
supporting tongue weights of 600 lbs. to 1,600 lbs.
• Only trailers with an A-frame coupler design can be
used with the hitch.
• The A-frame rails must be approximately 2” wide
and 5” to 6” tall. Frame rails which are shorter (4”
minimum) or taller (7” maximum) are supported,
but require alternate bolts. This alternate hardware
is available upon request from B&W.
• The area behind the coupler and between the
frame rails must be open with at least 2” of open
space in front of the next object, such as the
propane tank tray. The mounting location behind
the coupler requires the distance between the
frame rails to be between 6” and 9”, see Figure A2.
• A clear span of frame rail is needed on the driver
side of the trailer to mount the hydraulic pump, see
Figure A3.
• If the foot pad of the trailer jack is wider than 6-1/2”
it will need to be removed during installation.
• The tow vehicle must have a receiver with an
opening no smaller than 2”. Reducers may be used
if the receiver is larger than 2”.
• The height of the trailer coupler and the tow vehicle
receiver must be within the adjustment range of
the hitch. Use Figure A4 and the formula below to
determine if the height of the trailer and tow
vehicle will allow the hitch to couple. The top of
Figure A4 shows the adjustment range of the hitch.
CHECK TRAILER COMPATIBILITY
1.
FIGURE A2: View above trailer
A-frame and coupler.
FIGURE A3: View of driver side frame rail.
FIGURE A4: View of trailer and tow vehicle.
HEAD UNIT HIGHEST AND LOWEST SETTING
LOWEST
SETTING
HIGHEST
SETTING
TOTAL ADJUSTMENT RANGE = 10.5”
2.
3.
FIGURE A1:
Distance between top of
frame and top of coupler ball.
ABOVE FRAME
OR LESS THAN 2.5”
BELOW
MEASUREMENT AMEASUREMENT B
MORE THAN 2.5”
BELOW
Measurement A: Level the trailer on flat ground,
then measure the distance from the top of the
coupler to the ground.
Measurement B: Measure the distance from top
inside edge of to vehicle receiver to ground.
Use formula A + 2 – B.
If answer is between –1-1/8” and 9-3/8”
then the tow vehicle and trailer are compatible.
NOTE: On some vehicles the use of a reducer sleeve reduces
the tow ratings of the vehicle, refer to vehicle user manual.

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FIGURE B1: Side view of trailer.
Prepare tow vehicle and trailer. Both the trailer and
the tow vehicle must be set up properly before
beginning installation. Complete each point below.
• The trailer and the tow vehicle must both be on a
flat, level area.
• Chock trailer tires when working around the trailer.
• Level the trailer. Measure the distance between the
trailer frame and the ground at the front and the
rear of the trailer. Adjust trailer until these
measurements are equal.
• The truck and trailer must be fully loaded during
hitch installation and setup, just as they would be
when towing.
• Review factors that can adversely affect sway under
the FAQ section on page 10.
PREPARE FOR INSTALLATION
1.
1.
FIGURE B2: Side view of tow vehicle.
Configure and install head unit. Determine in which
position the head unit should be pinned. Measure the
distance from the ground to the top of the trailer ball
coupler, see Figure B1. Place the head unit into the
receiver of the tow vehicle. Measure how high the ball
is above the ground, see Figure B2. The ball should be
set 1-2” higher than the coupler measurement.
Remove the head unit and adjust the pins to set the
ball height correctly. The holes in the pin blocks are
1-1/2” apart. If required, the pin block can be turned
over.
2. Prepare hitch components. Remove the hitch
components from each of the boxes. Compare the
parts to the second page to become familiar with them
and verify they are all present and undamaged by
shipping.
INSTALL HEAD UNIT
INSTALL HYDRAULIC PUMP
Prepare trailer frame. Prepare the trailer A-frame for
installation of the hydraulic pump unit.
• If present, mark the front and back edges of the
propane tank cover, as shown in Figure C1. Then
remove the propane tank cover.
• If present, remove the propane tanks and set them
aside to allow clearance for installing the hitch.
• If present you may need to remove the propane
tank tray. In some cases, it may not need to be
removed if there is enough space between the tray
and the rear edge of the coupler (2.5” or more).
Before the tray is removed, mark the edges of the
tray on the trailer frame so it can be reinstalled in
the same location, as shown in Figure C2. These
marks will be referenced when mounting the pump.
1.
FIGURE C1: Top of A-frame
with propane tank cover.
Attach the pump mount bracket. Locate the pump
mount bracket, inside clamp, two 3/8” x 3” bolts, and
two 3/8” flange nuts. Depending on the height of your
trailer frame, identify which hole to use for mounting
the pump mount brackets, see Figure C3. Place the
pump mount bracket and inside bracket next to the
driver side frame and attach using the 3/8” bolts and
nuts, as shown in Figure C4. Leave the nuts loose.
2.
FIGURE C4: View of driver
side frame rail.
FIGURE C3: View of the
inside clamp.
FIGURE C2: Top of A-frame
with propane tank tray.
NOTE: It may be necessary to relocate the trailer's
break-away cable, propane lines, and the trailer's wiring
harness for a proper and safe installation. During
installation carefully move or re-route any wires, cables,
or hoses that may become damaged or pinched by the
addition of the hitch.
TOOLS REQUIRED
• Ratchet with 9/16” socket.
• If installing WDHL4511 a 1-1/8” socket and box end
wrench
• Torque wrench
• Marker
• Tape measure
• Eye protection
• Vent hose cutting tool
NOTE: The lynch pin
spring must close on
the same side as the
bump on the top of the
pin, see Figure B3. FIGURE B3: Lynch pin
Secure head unit. Using the hole in the receiver, pin the
head unit to the tow vehicle and secure with a cotter
pin. Secure the pins in the pin block with lynch pins.
2.

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Install hydraulic cylinder extension. If installing kit#
WDHL4510 skip to Step 2. If installing kit# WDHL4511
bolt the hydraulic cylinder extension to cross tube of
the hydraulic cylinder using a 3/4” x 4-1/4” cap screw
and 3/4” lock nut, see Figure D1. Torque the nut to 150
ft.-lbs.
1.
Position the hydraulic cylinder. Carefully lift the
hydraulic cylinder. Move the cylinder up under the
trailer A-frame so the hydraulic hose passes under the
driver side frame rail. With the cross tube end of the
cylinder up, pass the cylinder between the two rails of
the A-frame. Pin the cylinder to the top cylinder mount
and secure with the provided cotter pin, as shown in
Figures D2 and D3. Rest the top cylinder mount on the
frame.
2.
FIGURE D1: View of hydraulic cylinder.
FIGURE D3: View of the
cylinder and extension
above the A-frame.
FIGURE D2: View of the
cylinder above the A-frame.
INSTALL HYDRAULIC CYLINDER
Position the pump mount bracket. Using Figure A3 on
page 3, locate a clear span of the driver side frame to
secure the hydraulic pump. If the trailer had a propane
tank cover, the installation area should be roughly 4”
behind the mark made on the frame, as shown in
Figure C5. Relocate any obstacles or cables that may be
in the area needed for pump installation. When the
best location for the hydraulic pump unit has been
determined, adjust the pump mount bracket so it is
level with the frame. Tighten the two 3/8” nuts holding
the pump mount inside clamp by alternating between
each nut so that when tight, the inside clamp and pump
mount bracket are flat against the frame rails, see
Figures C6 and C7. Torque the 3/8” nuts to 40 ft.-lbs.
3.
INSTALL HYDRAULIC PUMP Continued
Mount the hydraulic pump. Retrieve the hydraulic
pump and cylinder. Carefully lay the hydraulic cylinder
below the A-frame temporarily. Retrieve the three 3/8”
x 3/4” flange bolts. Attach the hydraulic pump to the
pump mount bracket using the bolts, as shown in
Figure C8. Torque the 3/8” bolts to 40 ft.-lbs.
4.
FIGURE C8: View looking at the driver side frame rail.
WARNING: Do not tamper or attempt to adjust the
pressure relief valve on the bottom of the hydraulic
pump. It is set at the factory to a safe level. Adjusting
the pressure release valve could result in serious injury
or death.
NOTE: If your handle interferes with parts of the trailer
after installation is complete, the pump will have to be
moved. Remove the pump and loosen the pump mount
bracket bolts to adjust the pump location. Follow Steps
3-4 to reinstall the pump at a new location.
FIGURE C5: View looking at the driver side frame rail.
FIGURE D6: View showing
a correctly tightened
inside clamp.
FIGURE D7: View showing
an incorrectly tightened
inside clamp.

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Assemble the hydraulic cylinder mount. Retrieve the
top mount washer plates, frame clamps, 3/8” x 8” cap
screws, and four 3/8” flange nuts. Place the top mount
washer plates over the top cylinder mount slots. Place a
3/8” x 8” cap screw in each of the holes in the washer
plates. Two of the screws will be on the inside of the A-
frame and two will be on the outside, see Figure D4.
Depending on the height of the frame rails, place the
frame clamps over the 3/8” cap screws, see Figure D5.
Use the 3/8” flange nuts to attach the frame clamps, do
not fully tighten nuts at this time.
3.
FIGURE D4: View looking at the front of the trailer.
FIGURE D5: View of the frame clamps below the frame.
Reinstall propane tank tray. If the propane tank tray
was removed for installation, use the marks made on
the frame to reinstall the tray.
4.
Secure the hydraulic cylinder. Push the top cylinder
mount as far back as possible. Use a tape measure to
check that the top cylinder mount is square with the
trailer and centered left to right. Tighten the four 3/8”
nuts holding the frame clamps by alternating between
each nut so that when tight, the frame clamps are flat
against the bottom of the frame rails, see Figures D6
and D7. Torque the 3/8” nuts to 40 ft.-lbs.
FIGURE D6: View showing
a correctly tightened
frame clamp.
FIGURE D7: View showing
an incorrectly tightened
frame clamp.
COMPLETE HYDRAULIC INSTALLATION
5.
Reinstall propane tanks and cover. If your trailer had
propane tanks and cover reinstall them at this time.
1.
Retract the cylinder. If the cylinder is not completely
retracted into the cylinder barrel, retract the cylinder by
closing the needle valve and pumping the handle.
Pump just enough to retract the cylinder. Don’t apply
any pressure to the gauge.
2.
NOTICE: The needle valve is used to hold and remove
pressure from the hydraulic cylinder and should only
be operated by hand. Never use tools to tighten or
loosen the valve. Using excessive force in either
direction on the needle valve will damage the pump
unit.
FIGURE E2: View looking at inside of the A-frame.
NOTE: It is normal for a small amount of pressure to be
released when the plug is pulled out of the air hose
fitting.
Complete vent hose installation. Pull the vent hose up
between the frame and the hydraulic pump unit. Push
in on the blue fitting to remove the plug from the air
hose fitting on the top of the hydraulic pump. Cut the
vent hose to length and insert the cut end into the air
fitting and press in firmly, see Figure E2.
3.
INSTALL HYDRAULIC CYLINDER Continued

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Couple the tow vehicle and trailer. Align and lower the
trailer coupler onto the ball. The tow vehicle and the
trailer need to be on the same level surface.
1.
INSTALL LOAD BAR ASSEMBLY
Attach the load bars to the hydraulic cylinder. Retrieve
the load bar assembly. Remove the pin and bushings
from the lower cylinder mount. Raise the trailer jack
high enough that the load bar assembly can slide under
it. Pin the hydraulic cylinder to the center hole in the
lower cylinder mount using the removed pin and
bushings, see Figure F1.
2.
Attach the load bar assembly to the spindle. Open the
needle valve on the hydraulic pump. Push down on the
lower cylinder mount to extend the hydraulic cylinder
until it is fully extended with about 5” of chrome rod
showing. Lift the load bar assembly and slide it into the
bottom of the spindle of the head unit until the latch
pin of the forks engages with the spindle, see Figure
F2. If the forks do not slide into the spindle far enouph
to engage the latch pin, then use the upper hole in the
lower cylinder mount, see Figure F2. If the forks will
still not slide into the spindle after trying a different
mounting hole, call B&W Customer Service Department
for support.
3.
FIGURE F1: View of the load bar assembly under the trailer.
FIGURE F2: View of the driver side of the hitch.
NOTE: The fork holder bracket installation is optional.
The fork holder is designed to provide a resting place
for the front portion of the load bar assembly when the
trailer is not hooked to a tow vehicle. If the trailer needs
to be moved by a vehicle that is not equipped with the
head assembly, the jack can be raised while the load
bar assembly is resting on the bracket until the load bar
assembly is constrained underneath the bottom of the
trailer frame. The fork holder bracket will only fit on
trailer tongue jacks with a 2” diameter or smaller
leg.
Install fork holder bracket. Retrieve the fork holder
bracket, 2” U-bolt, and two 3/8” nuts. Place the U-bolt
around the jack stand leg and attach the fork holder
bracket. Secure with the 3/8” nuts. The bracket must be
aligned so it is in front of the tongue jack and above the
jack foot, See Figure G1. Torque the 3/8” nuts to 30 ft.-
lbs.
1.
FIGURE G1: View of the jack foot under the trailer.
FINISH INSTALLATION
Attach trailer connections. Attach any wiring, break-
away cables, and safety chains to the tow vehicle. If
your chains are long enough, they may be passed down
through load bar assembly and attached to the tow
vehicle. No part of the chain should be tight against the
load bar assembly.
1.
INSTALL FORK HOLDER

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ENGAGE WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION HITCH
IMPORTANT NOTES:
• The Continuum weight distribution hitch is
designed to transfer part of a coupled trailer's
weight from the tow vehicle's rear tires to its front
tires.
• Due to the hydraulic cylinder of the Continuum
hitch, the amount of weight that is transferred to
the front tires is adjustable.
• Each towing configuration will require a different
amount of pressure to be used.
• Some vehicle manufacturers provide a rating for
how much of the weight should be moved to the
front tires. The industry term for this rating is Front
Axle Load Restoration (FALR) and is expressed as
a percentage of the trailer load on the rear tires
which is restored to the front.
• Check your vehicle’s user manual for the
recommended FALR.
• We advise using a minimum of 50% FALR and no
more than 100% FALR if your tow vehicle does not
have a recommended FALR.
Calculate cylinder load using the wheel well method. A
practical method for determining the correct cylinder load is
to use the front wheel well as a reference to observe the
amount of weight which is returned to the front tires from
the rear tires as the hydraulic pump is used to pressurize
the cylinder, use Figure H1 for Steps 1-3.
Measure wheel well uncoupled. Move the tow vehicle
and trailer so they are both on the same level surface.
Before coupling, measure the distance from the ground
to the top edge of the front wheel well. This distance
will be referred to as measurement A.
1.
Measure wheel well coupled. Couple the trailer and
tow vehicle, attach the load bar assembly to the head
unit, then lift the jack foot off of the ground. Measure
the distance from the ground to the top edge of the
front wheel well. This distance will be referred to as
measurement B.
3.
Restore wheel well height. Returning the wheel well
height to measurement A would represent a FALR of
100%. To calculate the distance the wheel well should
move when using less than 100% FALR use the formula:
B - ((B - A) * FALR/100) = Target measurement C
4.
FIGURE H1: View of tow vehicle and trailer showing
measurement locations.
A
B
C
Add pressure to the hydraulic cylinder. Close the
needle valve. Pull the pump handle out of the handle
holder and push in then twist counter clockwise to
extend it. Pump the handle of the hydraulic pump to
restore load from the rear tires to the front tires, see
Figure H2. Decrease the height of the front wheel well
until it has been lowered to the target measurement.
5.
NOTE: The amount of pressure used will usually be
around 1.2 times the tongue weight of the trailer with a
FALR between 60% to 90%.
Example:
Measurement A = 39”
Measurement B = 40”
FALR Required = 75%
40” - 39” = 1”
1” X 0.75 = 0.75”
40 - 0.75 = 39.25”
Return handle to holder. Retract the handle and place
it back in the handle holder. If moving the handle to the
holder increased the pressure shown on the pressure
indicator, use the needle valve to reduce the pressure
back to the reading taken when the wheel well height
was correct.
7.
FIGURE H2: View of the driver side of A-frame
Test setup inspection. Perform an inspection of the tow
set up. Double check that the trailer’s connections to
the tow vehicle are all secured.
8.
Chock trailer tires. Always chock trailer tires before
attempting to couple or uncouple the tow vehicle.
2.
Tow Vehicle:
Measurement A = __________
Measurement B = __________
FALR Required = __________
______ - _____ = _________
______ X _____ = _________
______ - _____ = _________
NOTICE: If the target measurement cannot be reached
before the cylinder rod is fully retracted and the
cylinder bottoms out, then the cylinder will need to be
secured to the lower hole in the lower cylinder mount.
Record the pressure reading. Write down the reading
on the pressure indicator for future reference. A log is
provided on page 11 to keep track of the pressure.
6.

Page 9 of 12
UNCOUPLING PROCEDURE
Chock trailer tires. Always chock trailer tires before
attempting to couple or uncouple the tow vehicle.
1.
Extend the hydraulic cylinder. Open the needle valve
on the hydraulic pump. Allow the cylinder to extend
until the load bar assembly can be removed from the
head unit. It may be necessary to push down on the
lower cylinder mount to aid the lowering of the
cylinder.
2.
4. Lower the jack. Lower the jack foot until it contacts the
ground.
3.
FIGURE J1: View of the driver side of A-frame.
LONG TERM STORAGE
When not in use, to extend the life of the product, the
load bars and the head unit should not be left outside
for extended periods of time. When preparing for long
term storage, follow the procedure below.
• Open the needle valve on the hydraulic pump to
relieve the cylinder pressure.
• Couple the trailer and raise the jack to remove the
load bar assembly. Un-pin the load bar assembly
from the hydraulic cylinder. Re-attach the pins and
bushings to the load bar assembly.
• Uncouple the trailer and remove the head
assembly.
• When not mounted on a trailer, the load bar and
head unit must be kept in a storage area, out of the
elements.
• Close the needle valve on the hydraulic pump,
retract the cylinder by pumping the handle. Stop
before the hydraulic system builds up any pressure.
• Place the handle back in the handle holder.
ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
Follow the maintenance procedures listed below before
each trip & periodically as needed.
Before each trip:
• Check the hitch, vehicle receiver, trailer coupler,
and trailer frame for physical damage. Look for
metal deformation caused by hits, fractures in the
welds, bent pins, and damage in places that
experience heavy loads, including the receiver hitch
or the ball coupler.
• Examine abrasion-prone regions for excessive wear
or gouging.
• Inspect the hydraulic system for leaks (hose, pump,
and cylinder).
• Check that all pins are present and are clipped.
• Check that all bolts are tight and no components
are loose (see note below).
• Grease the head unit using the two grease fittings.
Recommended Grease: Multi-Purpose Lithium Complex
Grease - NGLI Grade 2
Periodically as needed:
• Spray white lithium grease onto the latching
mechanism of the load bar assembly and the top of
the forks.
• Spray white lithium grease onto the hydraulic pump
handle.
• Spray white lithium grease onto the swivel ball end
of the hydraulic cylinder.
• Lubricate and clean the pins and pin holes in the
pin block.
NOTE: Observe the following torque specifications on
hitch hardware (dry threads).
• The bolts on the load bar assembly were factory
tightened to a specific torque and are not expected
to come loose. If they do, torque the 1/2" hardware
on the load bar assembly to 100 ft.-lbs.
• The 3/8” bolts should be torqued to 40 ft.-lbs.
• The 3/8” nuts attached to the U-bolt should be
torqued to 30 ft.-lbs.
• The 3/4” bolt should be torqued to 150 ft.-lbs.
Load bar maintenance:
• The load bars are made of a composite and are
vulnerable to damage by Phosphoric acid and
Hydrofluoric acid which may be present in
automotive cleaning agents. They are also used by
many touchless car washes as part of a buffered
cleaning solution. Repeated exposure to these
chemicals may damage the bars.
NOTE: If the load bar assembly will be removed from
the trailer, it has to be moved so the jack foot is no
longer between the load bars before the foot is lowered
to the ground.
Disconnect the load bar assembly. Retract the latch pin
by pulling up on the latch pin release lever, as shown
in Figure J1. Pull the load bar assembly out of the head
unit. Place the load bar into the fork holder bracket or
use the safety chains to hold the load bar assembly.

Page 10 of 12
<THIS INSTRUCTION MANUAL MUST BE GIVEN TO THE END USER>
CHANGING THE COUPLER BALL
It may be necessary to replace the coupler ball to
change its size or if it has become damaged. Use the
following steps and Figure K1 to replace the ball.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Remove the head unit from the tow vehicle.
Separate the ball mount and pin block by removing the
two pins.
Loosen the set screw until the spindle can be removed
from the socket (1/4” Allen wrench).
Remove the grease from the spindle and from inside
the ball mount.
Remove the 1-1/4” nut and washer from the ball (1-7/8”
deep well socket).
Replace the ball in the ball mount. The shank of the
new ball must be 1-1/4”. Use a new nut and lock washer
to secure the ball.
Torque the nut to 415 ft.-lbs.
Insert the clean spindle back into the ball mount.
Tighten the set screw until it bottoms out. Test that the
spindle cannot be pulled out of the ball mount.
Apply grease to the to the spindle and ball mount using
the two grease fittings.
FIGURE K1: View of exploded ball mount.
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WARNING: Changing the ball requires that the nut be
torqued to a very high ft.-lbs. range. Without proper
tools the ball cannot be safely changed. It may be
necessary to use professional help. Failure to correctly
torque the nut could lead to serious injury or death.
Does the Continuum Weight Distribution Hitch have
friction sway control?
Friction sway control is built-in to the hitch, and can
lessen sway as much as the current leading brands.
Sway control however, is much less important to towing
stability than other considerations, such as: speed, road
and weather conditions, trailer load distribution, tire
conditions, and many other factors.
What should be done if trailer sway is noticed
during towing?
Towing stability, in a practical sense, is how fast the
trailer can be towed before it becomes unstable and
sway can occur. The more stable the set up is, the
higher the speed the trailer can be towed. If sway
occurs slow down and drive at a lower speed. These are
factors that can adversely affect towing stability:
• Towing speed.
• Road & weather conditions.
• Trailer load distribution & tongue weight.
• Tire conditions & load rating.
Can the trailer be backed up with the load bar
assembly attached?
Yes, the Continuum hitch has a single point of
attachment which gives it a large turning clearance.
Is the Continuum hitch compatible with surge
brakes?
Yes, but the majority of surge brake trailers include a
central member in the tongue that prevents the hitch
from being installed.
Can the Continuum hitch be used with a tow vehicle
that has an auto leveling system?
Yes, the auto leveling system will have to be turned off
before coupling the trailer to the tow vehicle. Leave the
auto leveling system off during setup and while using
the Continuum hitch.
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For more information, including a longer list of frequently
asked questions, visit bwtrailerhitches.com