Hitch Tow Bar Offset

[lrrowe]

I am getting ready to make the 300 mi drive to get my CT in PA at the end of the month. I know I will need a new tow bar and mounting ball. Currently I have a 4" drop bar with 2 " ball. The new trailer and the truck with have an 18" rise from the pavement and require a 2 5/16" ball.
So for the pickup, I can use a straight (no drop or rise) tow bar with the 2 5/16" ball. I am sure the empty tongue weight of the 6x14 SA CT will not move load the F150 down that much, so the trailer should ride level.

But what happens when I start to add items to the tongue and the CT itself? I am thinking the tongue will then load the tow bar enough to move it down. I am guessing at least 1-2" but I do not know. I do not plan on using a leveling hitch.

Adjustable tow bars and balls are not cheap and I do not want to really buy more then I need. Beside I just do not like the looks of them. I prefer to buy the right single adjustment bar the first time. So my question to others who have gone through this experience is what if any has your trailer hitch gone down when hooked up with your loaded CT.

I will say that when I load my 5 x 10 Utility Trailer with a ton of gravel, etc, the weight does not do much to the truck hitch height. So maybe I am worrying about nothing.

[Mike S]

I don't think it's worth worrying much about, other than the calculating you've done. Get another hitch when you're done with the project if you're not happy with how level it is. I don't like those adjustable hitches because it seems like excess weight, complexity, and expense. When I picked up my trailer, my dealer had a few different drop hitches on-hand. They let me try different drop levels on my Tundra (2 inch, and 2 1/2 inch, 4 inch). We found that the 2 1/2 inch worked the best. Now with my build I've added approximately 500-1000 lbs of weight to my trailer. I can't tell that my truck sags anymore than it did with the trailer empty. The difference in tongue weight must not be significant on my 7x16. I guess I'll re-evaluate once the project is done and get a new hitch if I have to. Good luck with your expedition.

[chiefb711]

I have thought about the same thing...my Tacoma gets a good bit of sag with an empty trailer. It's because I haven't had the TSB applied and the springs on Tacomas are the achilles heel of the truck. I am installing Firestone RideRite Airbags to assist in towing as well as adding a leaf to my leaf pack. It's by far the more expensive route to buying a different hitch, but it effectively adapts my truck to a towing vehicle...it's infinitely adjustable and will ride smoothly, no sway...and they're airbags, so I can go cruise the mall when I'm not hooked up to my trailer...lol



or not!

[pchast]

I'll play Devil's advocate here...

If You don't go load leveler and there is a noticeable drop YOU are a road hazard
as your lights will likely blind on coming drivers.

Something I feel we have all been guilty of at some point.

rant over - flame suit on..........

[AZKayaker]

I had a bit of sag with the trailer hooked up to my Dodge Dakota. I was due for some new rear shocks anyway, so I got a pair of the coilsprung Monroe Load-leveler shocks. They worked great for me.

[lrrowe]

I'll play Devil's advocate here...

If You don't go load leveler and there is a noticeable drop YOU are a road hazard
as your lights will likely blind on coming drivers.

Something I feel we have all been guilty of at some point.

rant over - flame suit on..........

Forgot about that happening. Not to worry from me as if I cannot hold it level with standard hookups, then a DH is in order.
My approach is to try to load and balance it correctly. Then deal with any deflections.

[warnmar10]

I'll play Devil's advocate here...

If You don't go load leveler and there is a noticeable drop YOU are a road hazard
as your lights will likely blind on coming drivers.

Something I feel we have all been guilty of at some point.

rant over - flame suit on..........

+1 for load leveling hitch. A properly configured load leveler is pure fahrvergnügen.

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Bob

wish I had your perceived problems

if you had a tandem axel - then you could maybe worry a little bit

IMHO

[aggie79]

Bob,

Even though my F-150 has the trailer package, the rear of the truck "squats" when I hook up my teardrop. If/when I get a cargo trailer I plan to add a Timbren rear suspension enhancement system to my F-150. http://www.etrailer.com/p-TFR250SDF.html They seem to be easy to install and have good reviews.

Take care,
Tom

[Jiffypop207]

The Timbrens are sweet. Before my CT I would load my Harley in the bed of my truck to bring it along camping. Did it once with the stock F250. The F250 already has a slight Cali lean to it and the bike made it more than I wanted. The truck will squat, the 3/4" the Timbrens are off the axle (unloaded), when I hook up the trailer. The ride is smooth and nice loaded and not springy like you might think. When I set up my hitches I measure unloaded and less an 1" for the receiver I want. Worked out perfect when I set my truck up to my CT a couple days ago.

[MtnDon]

How about Air Lifts? Adjust air pressure for the load

[Jiffypop207]

How about Air Lifts? Adjust air pressure for the load

I have had airlift helper air bags. The setup I had auto adjusted the pressure to maintain a minimum of 10 PSI in the bags.....that was a stiff empty ride. If you go that route see if the system you get allows 0 PSI if not in use.

Adam

[lrrowe]

All great ideas and thoughts. I went out today and purchased one of those tow bars with 3 ball sizes on it. It is a zero rise/ drop bar and will get me home ok. Then as I remodel and load the trailer, I can then add any new tow bars or add some of the other ideas such as WDH, air springs or the new one to me, the Timbren system or whatever other great idea comes up as needed.

[Mike S]

All great ideas and thoughts. I went out today and purchased one of those tow bars with 3 ball sizes on it. It is a zero rise/ drop bar and will get me home ok. Then as I remodel and load the trailer, I can then add any new tow bars or add some of the other ideas such as WDH, air springs or the new one to me, the Timbren system or whatever other great idea comes up as needed.

I really doubt you'll have much trouble with sag on your F150 and a 6x14 trailer. That is, unless you pay no attention to proper weight distribution during your build. But if your final trailer curb weight is 3000 lbs, which is reasonable, then your proper tongue weight would be between 300-450 lbs or 10-15% of curb weight. That's nothing for a 1/2 ton truck unless you're already carrying a load in your bed. Nor would you need a weight distributing or stabilizing hitch. Your trailer just isn't that big.

[lrrowe]

Thanks.