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How critical is ball height??
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Author:  mmcaleer [ Sun Dec 16, 2007 11:06 am ]
Post subject:  How critical is ball height??
I just purchased a new boat and will be pulling it with my 1999 Suburban. I borrowed a 2" drop ball and ball mount from a friend to get it home. It looks pretty level, I didn't put a level on it just eyed it.

Here are the measurements taken using the method from the Reese website:

1. Measure from the ground to the top of the hitch.

Suburban is 17"

2. Level trailer, then measure from the ground to the top of the trailer coupler.

Trailer is 18"

3. Subtract the height of the hitch ball (most are 2-1/2" to 3" high) from Step 2.

Ball is 2 3/4". 18 - 2 3/4 = 15 1/4

4. The difference between Step 1 and Step 3 would be the "Drop" or "Rise" that is needed for your Towing System.

17 - 15 1/4 = 1 3/4 or ~2" drop

Am I correct here?

Thanks,

Mike
Author:  powellcrazy [ Mon Dec 17, 2007 7:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How critical is ball height??
Man, you sure are making it complicated. Hook up on a level parking lot, measure the frame height front and rear of the trailer to check for level. Adjust hitch drop to get trailer as level as possible for trailering.

You need the trailer somewhat level to get the surge brakes to work properly, the correct weight distribution, and trail right.
Author:  Flying Sushi [ Mon Dec 17, 2007 8:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How critical is ball height??
Trailer at level, I would recommend to check your tongue weight to be around 7% (5% minimum) of total weight of trailer and boat.
Author:  Giaccamo [ Tue Dec 18, 2007 6:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: How critical is ball height??
Flying Sushi wrote:
Trailer at level, I would recommend to check your tongue weight to be around 7% (5% minimum) of total weight of trailer and boat.


I agree! THe idea is to have the trailer as level to the ground as possible so that assuming everything else is in balance, the tongue weight is somewhere in that 7% range as mentioned above. This is a critical factor for safe tracking of the trailer. If the trailer is level and the tongue weight is off then there are adjustments that can be made.
Author:  jzellers [ Tue Dec 18, 2007 8:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re: How critical is ball height??
I agree as well - as close to level as possible, with the understanding that varying load (passengers, gear, etc.) in the tow vehicle can alter the hitch height somewhat. If it's only an inch or so, then it's probably ok. Any more than that you might want to adjust for.

If your trailer has tandem or triple torsion axles, then being level is even more important because torsion axles have no equalizers like the traditional axles have. What will happen in an unlevel condition is more weight will be transferred to one axle than the other, which can overload the axle, frame, and/or tires.
Author:  pet575 [ Tue Dec 18, 2007 10:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: How critical is ball height??
EVERYONE is making this WAY too complicated. Just hook it up to whatever you have and don't worry about it. Stow your heaviest gear in the stern of the boat and you'll be fine. Oh, and nobody uses those chains anymore-just let 'em hang.
Author:  230 Mike [ Thu Dec 20, 2007 3:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: How critical is ball height??
OK, WeirdWalt - now give Paul his screen name back.
Author:  Flying Sushi [ Thu Dec 20, 2007 9:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: How critical is ball height??
Pet 575. You are right about it… as long as we buy a brand new boat with a matching trailer. (Capacities and weight distribution) However I have seen a few used boats which has mismatch trailer with wrong set-up . (by ex owner or used boat dealer so they can just sell them) I met a guy with a Baja 252 with a mysterious trailer and I can just about be able to pick the tongue up by hand. :shock: No wonder he says he can tow it with a Cherokee without any problem.… :roll: It is just wrong…. Not enough tongue weight. It is better to be safe than sorry so if you do not know the history of the boat & trailer I would recommend to check once.
Author:  powellcrazy [ Sat Dec 22, 2007 1:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How critical is ball height??
pet575 wrote:
EVERYONE is making this WAY too complicated. Just hook it up to whatever you have and don't worry about it. Stow your heaviest gear in the stern of the boat and you'll be fine. Oh, and nobody uses those chains anymore-just let 'em hang.



Its not THAT EASY!!!! I have seen many boat trailers tounges bent from 'over loading' the stern of the boat. I would recomend loading the boat however one wants to maintain the 5-7% hitch weight.
Author:  pet575 [ Sat Dec 22, 2007 3:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How critical is ball height??
ummm.....guys.....that was a joke.
Author:  230 Mike [ Sat Dec 22, 2007 10:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How critical is ball height??
For the record, I got it :lol:
Author:  powellcrazy [ Sun Dec 23, 2007 11:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: How critical is ball height??
pet575 wrote:
ummm.....guys.....that was a joke.


Some may read your post and not take it as a joke, I see a few trailers going down the road without chains hooked up. So some people out there really don't think they are nessasary.
Author:  pet575 [ Mon Dec 24, 2007 9:37 am ]
Post subject:  Re: How critical is ball height??
I was hoping my reputation on this board (though less than a year old) preceded me on that one. Guess my reputation is that of a moron. Oh well, at least I HAVE a reputation right? :mrgreen:

Agreed, I've seen some real gems out there. A couple of years ago, I saw a guy pulling a LARGE camper trailer with his 18-ish foot bowrider hooked to the back of the trailer. It was whipping back and forth like crazy, and he kept having to pull over. Then he would re-start again and pass us all, start whipping, pull over, repeat about 3 times. I finally just took the next exit I could find and took a 15 minute break to get the heck away from him.

While this may be legal in some states, I think it is a bad idea without the proper tow vehicle. This tow vehicle? A late 1970's Monte Carlo.
Author:  Rob [ Mon Dec 24, 2007 10:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: How critical is ball height??
I know this is a bit off topic, but, I really had to share this here. Some time back a friend sent these pictures to me. When it comes to towing, this is an engineering masterpiece... :shock:
Image

Image

Image
Author:  powellcrazy [ Wed Dec 26, 2007 9:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: How critical is ball height??
Notice the safty chains!!! LOL :lol: :lol:



I had seen these photo a few years ago, they make me laugh. Someone had a of extra time on there hands!!!
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