www.iFourWinns.com

On my 2005 Tahoe, the hitch is mounted below the bumper unlike the newer tahoes/suburbans where the hitch receiver comes out through the bumper. When I bought a hitch/ball for the truck, it was a 2" drop hitch. The boat seemed to lean forward too much, so I flipped it. Just towed for the first time with the hitch flipped and it seemed to tow much nicer. Less bouncing and seemed almost effortless to tow the boat which is probably a little over 5000 lbs. I am curious whether you guys are using a drop hitch or not. I am concerned that by flipping the hitch, the boat might not trailer as well on the highway. Tonight's trial run was only about a 10 minute drive through the country to where I store the boat, but it seemed to go well.

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Seth




2005 210 Horizon
5.0L GXi
"Don't Think Twice"

The main thing is for the trailer to be level when hooked up to your truck. If it was too low before you flipped it, the trailer should tow better with it level. If its low in front it can cause the rear of the truck to bounce and the surge brakes to engage too much. If too low in the rear it can cause the trailer to sway.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

I just switched tow vehicles from a F250 to a Ram 1500 4x4. Same hitch setup and height but the 1500 squats. I will be getting airbags installed before next season. If your suburban is a half ton it may be squatting too and adding to the prob.

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http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o71 ... wqm355.jpg


08' H210SS
VP 5.7Gi

Are you using a drop hitch?

My Tahoe is a Z71 so it has a pretty firm suspension. I think that helps a little with the sagging. Next time I tow, I will find a level place to evaluate the way the trailer is sitting on the truck. Was definitely leaning forward before.

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Seth




2005 210 Horizon
5.0L GXi
"Don't Think Twice"

I flipped my the hitch on my Chevy Avalanche because I thought the trailer was leaning too far forward. It seemed to help my tow.

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2008 Vista 278 Volvo Penta 8.1 Gi 375 hp
1999 Horizon 220 5.7 GSi

It's perfectly acceptable to flip the hitch to get the proper ball height. (Level trailer...give or take an inch or two.)

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"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings

I tow with a 2005 GMC Yukon XL, so its basically the same vehicle as your Tahoe, just longer. (If Chevy, it would be Suburban vs Tahoe). I did the same thing for the same reason, and the trailer is level and pulled perfectly on the highway. The trailer is an EZ Loader with 15" 6 lug wheels. I think you will find that it probably pulls better. I don't find much sag in the rear end at all, the trailer is pretty well balanced with a 10% tongue weight or thereabouts.

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1988 215 Sundowner 5.7L OMC

Yes, I have a drop receiver but its maybe a 1 inch drop. Mine is a 4x4 too, but Ram now has coils for rear suspension for the ride. Supposed to be a new innovation, but setup is same as the 1969 Chevy trucks.

Coils with swing arms don't offer the load support so it squats like a dog crapping in the yard when loaded. Pulls great but it does need the bags. I have a bud who uses his 1/2 ton to tow a race car and he swears by the bags since they stop the bounce, level the load and still allow for proper tongue weight distribution.

If it was just the boat I wouldn't bother, but by the time icechests, gear, passengers and toys are loaded it gets ugly. I may have been spoiled by the F250 suspension but I couldn't keep that diesel out of the shop.

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http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o71 ... wqm355.jpg


08' H210SS
VP 5.7Gi

I just purchased a new trailer for my 268. The seller ( a boat dealer) was insistent that i get the right height on the ball - we had to get about a three inch drop - and turn it up - in order to level the trailer hitch with my F 250. We just returned from a long trailer ride - 7 hrs each way - and the boat/ trailer towed very well , without the undulations that i had with the old boat / trailer combo - which i never thought to ensure was level.

I use an Alumastinger in the flipped position to give me about 2" of rise, in addition to Timbrens. Gets the trailer perfectly level and handles great.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

I use a 4 inch drop but flipped up. So its like a 3 1/2 rise. Workes perfect for me. Brakes work excellent with my combo.

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"Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes "

1996 238 Vista dlx "Casper's Toy Too"
2006 5.0GXI w/closed cooling, DP-sm 1.95 drive
Previous boat:
1998 Sundowner 205

Thanks for all the feedback. Sounds like my 2" drop flipped is going to improve my trailering. Making the 6 hour trek down to Smith Mountain Lake, VA soon. Looking forward to the drive with my new setup.

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Seth




2005 210 Horizon
5.0L GXi
"Don't Think Twice"

good luck! have a safe trip

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"Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes "

1996 238 Vista dlx "Casper's Toy Too"
2006 5.0GXI w/closed cooling, DP-sm 1.95 drive
Previous boat:
1998 Sundowner 205

This topic is a really interesting one to me. SO many factors go into this and that about where to place the hitch like load in the bed as well as the boat. From a rookie stance though like myself, is there a danger to the boat coming off the hitch if at a minimally wrong height?

I just bought a 2013 2WD F150 to tow the boat instead of the 2012 X5. On the X5, we had the hitch flipped and the boat seemed okay. I left the hitch the same way, and I think I feel more of the boat behind me than I should, and have been contemplating flipping it to check for improvement, but am worried about the dangers involved. Couple trips ago, coming home, felt the boat quite a bit behind me, only to get home and see that the hitch had tried to come open, with only the safety pin preventing it from unlocking on the ball.

So if I flip it and try it out, I should not worry about leaving the boat behind on Highway 580, right?

As far as I know, the hitch has very little drop to it. Looks more like it just goes straight out than anything. Such a Rookie still going into my second season.........

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2012 H210--First Boat! Woo Hoo!
2013 Ford F150 Eco-Boost V6

If the hitch hight for the 2wd f150 is lower than your X5 then it only makes sence to gain a little hitch hight. the trick is to not make it too light where it feels neutral weight and lifts your back end when it bounces. you deffintly need some tongue weight.

as far as your latch coming undone, not really sure on that culprit

_________________
"Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes "

1996 238 Vista dlx "Casper's Toy Too"
2006 5.0GXI w/closed cooling, DP-sm 1.95 drive
Previous boat:
1998 Sundowner 205