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| Hitch height https://www.smwebhead.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=11984 |
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| Author: | schoolsOut [ Mon Jul 15, 2013 9:35 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Hitch height |
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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| Author: | LouC [ Mon Jul 15, 2013 9:52 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Hitch height |
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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| Author: | TX H210SS [ Mon Jul 15, 2013 10:01 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Hitch height |
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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| Author: | schoolsOut [ Tue Jul 16, 2013 6:40 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Hitch height |
TX H210SS wrote: 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. 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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| Author: | Flyer51 [ Tue Jul 16, 2013 7:35 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Hitch height |
schoolsOut wrote: I am concerned that by flipping the hitch, the boat might not trailer as well on the highway. 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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| Author: | rpengr [ Tue Jul 16, 2013 8:18 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Hitch height |
schoolsOut wrote: I am concerned that by flipping the hitch, the boat might not trailer as well on the highway. 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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| Author: | john55c [ Tue Jul 16, 2013 8:01 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Hitch height |
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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| Author: | TX H210SS [ Tue Jul 16, 2013 11:14 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Hitch height |
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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| Author: | Ontfarmer [ Wed Jul 17, 2013 10:54 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Hitch height |
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. |
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| Author: | 230 Mike [ Thu Jul 18, 2013 6:42 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Hitch height |
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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| Author: | neutron [ Thu Jul 18, 2013 8:46 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Hitch height |
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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| Author: | schoolsOut [ Thu Jul 18, 2013 9:05 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Hitch height |
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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| Author: | neutron [ Fri Jul 19, 2013 8:52 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Hitch height |
good luck! have a safe trip |
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| Author: | Pedropup [ Tue Jul 23, 2013 3:20 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Hitch height |
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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| Author: | neutron [ Tue Jul 23, 2013 4:21 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Hitch height |
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 |
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