Hitch height for towing TT

downtheroad wrote:
The weight dist. hitch you linked to is just the bars...you also need the hitch head...for the bars to attach to and you need snap up brackets to hook the chains to...

How about this one?

The weight dist. hitch you linked to is just the bars...you also need the hitch head...for the bars to attach to and you need snap up brackets to hook the chains to...

I called Forest River, the tongue weight is 450 lbs.
First, does a weight distribution hitch have to be "installed" or does it just slip into the receiver on the van?
Is this one good enough?

I agree with the WD hitch others have mentioned, but if you are considering a quick trip without one, at least get a drop/rise hitch. They make them in all kind of different sizes and are relatively inexpensive. Even a 4" rise, that can be found at Walmart or any autoparts store, would get the trailer on to the back wheels. Check the weight ratings and remember not all drops have equal ratings when used to raise.


EDIT:

This will do very little to transfer the weight from your van, it will just make the trailer a bit more level. That van is still going to sag in the rear, and the front will still float. The receiver attached to the van will still be very near the ground---might scrape.
Make sure you take as much out of the front of the trailer that you can. Get it loaded further back---preferable over the trailer wheels---which will take some of that weight off the tongue.

The upper mount is meant for a bike rack or similar, likely not rated or strong enough to handle the tongue weight of that trailer. Get a proper adjustable draw bar so you can set the proper height. A wd hitch would be a good idea too.

Those weight distribution hitches are EXPENSIVE. I am just taking it down to Florida and leaving it at our campsite. I have already forked over $300+ for the electronic breaking system. ARGH.

Anything else I could do?

Way too much tongue weight without a weight distribution hitch. From the picture you posted, you have too much squat in the rear of your van which will give you serious "under steer".
My opinion, you need a weight distribution hitch like sch911 recommended above.

there are some good tutorials online for setting up the trailer so that it rides best with the least load on the hitch.

you do look like you need adjustment based on that pic

Mike

You are missing a Weight Distributing hitch. From your linked picture you really need one...