Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us
Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network
HomeAnnouncements
Discussion Groups
By Brand
BMWChevroletDodgeFordGMHondaLexusMercedes-BenzNissanPeugeotToyotaVolkswagenOther Brands
By Topic
4x4 CarsRVsDrivingMaintenance & RepairCar AudioCollectible Cars
Country Specific
Australian ForumsUK Forums
ArticlesAuto InsuranceBuyingCars & TechnologyMaintenanceMiscellaneousSafety
DMV Resources
Related Topics
MotorcyclesBoatsMore Topics ...

Car Forum / Driving, Maintenance, Tuning / RVs / April 2005

Tip: Looking for answers? Try searching our database.

towing a level trailer

Thread view: 
Enable EMail Alerts  Start New Thread
Thread rating: 
ash2000 - 22 Apr 2005 02:00 GMT
I bought a new tow vehicle, hooked up the pop-up for the first time
last weekend and the trailer does not sit level like it did with the
old tow vehicle.

Beside the butt of the pop-up very low to the ground, how dangerous is
this?

What do I do to tow level?

Thanks,

K
05 Pathfinder
02 Sante Fe
ltrib2001@yahoo.com - 22 Apr 2005 02:06 GMT
> I bought a new tow vehicle, hooked up the pop-up for the first time
> last weekend and the trailer does not sit level like it did with the
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> 05 Pathfinder
> 02 Sante Fe

Looks like you may need to get a new hitch bar, or perhaps you could
simply turn your old one over.  The trailer and the tow vehicle need to
be level while towing.  U-Haul or some trailer shop should be able to
help you with this.
Leon in Texas
lfm - 22 Apr 2005 02:10 GMT
>> I bought a new tow vehicle, hooked up the pop-up for the first time
>> last weekend and the trailer does not sit level like it did with the
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> be level while towing.  U-Haul or some trailer shop should be able to
> help you with this.

Yes, I think the ball needs to be 18.5 inches (or something like that) off
the ground.
I had to buy a new ball thingy when we bought a new TV.

Laura
fred - 22 Apr 2005 02:39 GMT
> I had to buy a new ball thingy when we bought a new TV.
>
> Laura

whenever I buy a new tv I also buy a new ball thingy to go along with it.

it makes the pictures come in much more clearly

:)
ash2000 - 22 Apr 2005 04:03 GMT
Thanks Laura.

Searched the internet some more after Leon's reply.  Reese has a good
illustration of the simple measurement/calculation needed to determine
the proper drop for your ball mount.

For others, here it is:

http://www.reeseprod.com/

Select info/towing tips/ball mount

K
ash2000 - 22 Apr 2005 03:58 GMT
RichA - 22 Apr 2005 04:07 GMT
>I bought a new tow vehicle, hooked up the pop-up for the first time
>last weekend and the trailer does not sit level like it did with the
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>05 Pathfinder
>02 Sante Fe
Hi,
You need to get the trailer level.  Towing it with the tail down can
lead to sway.  Also not good if you have to stop fast.

To find out how much drop you need park your tow vehicle and trailer
on level ground. Disconnect them.  Measure from the ground to the top
inside of the receiver. (Say 20 inches)  Now adjust the trailer so it
sits level and measure from the ground to the top of the trailer
coupler on the trailer.  (Say 18 inches)

Subtract 3 inches from the measurement from the top of the trailer
coupler. To make up for the length of the ball.  (Equal 15 inches)
Now subtract this number from the number you got from the ground to
the top of the receiver. (5 inches) That number is the amount of drop
you need to get in your ball mount/drawbar.  They sell bars with
different drops.  You can also get an adjustable bar.

Also there will be a little sag when the tow vehicle is attached to
the trailer so if the number comes out to 4 1/2 inch get a 4 inch drop
ball mount/drawbar to allow for the sag.  Or you could measure the sag
you get with what you have now and just subtract it from the number
you got.  The nose of the trailer *slightly* lower is better then the
tail being higher.

This site will explain it better with pictures.
http://www.hitchesonline.com/drawbars/ball_mount_main.htm

Take care and Happy Campin...

RichA
"We Get Too Soon Olde and Too Late Smart"
ash2000 - 23 Apr 2005 01:29 GMT
Wow.  Thanks Rich.

I am off to find level ground tomorrow with your instructions!

Cabin fever is breaking and cannot wait to go camping.

K
Karl Lindholm - 26 Apr 2005 15:59 GMT
Just get a new draw bar with the appropriate offset.  The one we had on
the Nissan had a four inch (or so) "raise" to it, the Durango's is
straight out from the receiver.

> I bought a new tow vehicle, hooked up the pop-up for the first time
> last weekend and the trailer does not sit level like it did with the
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> 05 Pathfinder
> 02 Sante Fe
 
Sign In
Join
My Latest Posts
My Monitored Threads
My Blog
My Photo Gallery
My Profile
My Homepage

Start New Thread
Enable EMail Alerts
Rate this Thread



©2008 Advenet LLC   Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.