OnTarget Towing Weight Distribution Analyzer What is weight distribution? When connecting a caravan or trailer to a tow vehicle behind the rear axle, the caravan tow ball weight causes a teeter totter effect which lifts the front of the tow vehicle. Weight is taken off the front axle and the rear axle ends up with that weight, plus the weight on the tow ball. For example, a Caravan or trailer tow ball weight of 300kg might take 150 kg off the front axle so the rear axle load is increased by 450 kg! The goal of weight distribution is to transfer most of the weight back to the front axle that was taken by connecting the trailer (up to 150kg in the example above). A secondary effect of weight distribution is that a small amount of the caravan tow ball weight is transferred to the trailer axles. If 100%, or maximum, weight distribution is achieved in this example then all 150 kg would be returned to the front axle and roughly 100kg would be transferred to the caravan axles. Therefore, only 200 kg would be added to the tow vehicle rear axle instead of the 450 kg without weight distribution (40%-50% reduction). This weight difference is especially significant for smaller, SUV, and half-ton tow vehicles. Along with transferring weight off the rear axle and back to the front, there are many benefits of weight distribution when towing bumper pull trailers, some of which are listed below. Better ride/comfort Better steering Better braking Better driver visibility (keeps the front down so it is easier to see over the hood, and keeps head lights pointed down on the road instead of in the sky) Help prevent overloaded rear axle, suspension, and hitch components Stiffen the joint/connection between tow vehicle and trailer for reduced bouncing and increased stability of combined unit (vehicle and trailer) Spring bars push down on both sides of trailer frame reducing roll or tilting of the trailer side to side from wind and passing vehicles Overall sway control and towing stability The OnTarget™ Towing Tool gives you peace of mind. It is the easiest and fastest way to objectively measure your weight distribution. With a few quick measurements, it calculates your weight distribution percentage, so you can make the adjustments needed for a comfortable, safer tow. The future of safe towing is here. Whether you are installing your hitch yourself, or a dealership professionally installed your hitch, it is important to make sure your setup has the proper weight distribution percentage. Even small changes in trailer cargo, like full or empty water tanks, can affect your weight distribution and reduce tow vehicle stability. Now there is a simple, easy way to make sure your weight distribution is OnTarget. Proper weight distribution Provides improved steering, better braking and enhanced vehicle control, keeping you safer when towing heavy loads, driving in inclement weather, passing semi-trucks or fighting cross winds. The OnTarget also makes campsite set up quick and easy. Use the laser distance measuring feature to quickly show how deep your campsite is or whether or not you can fully extend your awning in a wooded area. The OnTarget can also be used to level your trailer, which provides a more enjoyable stay. Specifications: 6 Pro-Tips for the OnTarget The OnTarget™ Towing Tool by Equal-i-zer® was created to help you know if you are set up correctly, so you can have a safer and more comfortable tow. With three easy measurements, the OnTarget displays your weight distribution percentage, so you can make the adjustments needed for to ensure your weight distribution hitch is set up correctly leading to better braking, steering, and vehicle control. Until now, checking your setup required taking measurements with a tape measure. Now, there is an easier way, and we will do the math for you. Wait, there is MORE.. In addition to measuring weight distribution, the OnTarget makes campsite set up quick and easy with these 6 pro-tips. 1. Digital leveling: The digital level lets you quickly verify the trailer pitch, which is helpful during and after hitch installation and during campsite set up. A level trailer is more aerodynamic while driving, saving you gas money, and a level trailer provides a more comfortable night’s sleep. 2. Distance measuring: A 50-meter red laser can accurately measure the distance between any clear and visible points. Measurements can be taken easily with one hand. This feature is helpful when determining the depth or width of a campsite. The OnTarget can take different measurements in distance measuring mode and add or subtract them to give you a new total. To enter distance measuring mode, press the “MODE” button once, and the icon of a straight horizontal line will begin flashing. To add/subtract measurements, press “READ” to take a measurement, then press the “+/-“ button once for addition or twice for subtraction. Then take the second measurement by pressing “READ” again. 3. Area and volume measuring: Many trailers have cargo holds or large open areas for storage. The OnTarget can quickly determine the size of the area, making packing easier. To access these different modes, press the “MODE” button. For area measuring, a small rectangle will flash in the top corner. For volume measuring, a small box will flash in the top corner. 4. Turn on audio verification: After completing a measurement, a soft beep will sound when the attempted measurement has been completed and registered. This is helpful when measuring in hard-to-get places or low angles when it is not easy to see the screen to verify the finished measurement visually. To turn the audio on/off, quickly press the unit/audio button. 5. Save your measurements: The OnTarget times out after a few minutes and erases the current set to save battery life. Saving your measurements will make taking multiple measurements easier and eliminate the need to remeasure. When using the OnTarget to determine your weight distribution percentage, you will take three different measurements in three configurations. Once accepted, the first two measurements, or “A” and “B,” should be consistent throughout the rest of the process, if the trailer is not moved, and no weight is added. Saving your measurements will make the rest of the process easier and eliminate the need to remeasure “A and B” if hitch adjustments are needed. To save a current measurement set, hold the “SAVE” button. To access a saved measurement set, press the “SAVE” button, then use the “+/-“ button to scroll through the saved measurement sets. Press the “READ” button to select the desired set. 6. Adjust the origin point of the laser: For any of the measurements, the origin point of the laser can be altered to fit a specific need. There are three points: at the front of the device, in the middle (or the tripod mount), and from the base. Depending on what you are measuring, the laser origin point may be best started from the base to account for the length of the device itself. To change, quickly press the button in the bottom left corner until the corresponding icon in the top left corner of the screen matches where you want the origin point to be.
