First let me say I'm new to the forums and new to USING a W/D hitch. I have a 29' toy hauler and my tow vehicle is a 2002 GMC 2500hd. I got the trailer recently and I came with the WD hitch and coincidentally the previous trailer owner had the same truck. Forward to now and me setting it up correctly (rather trying), with the trailer and truck level I can't get the ball within 2 inches (either up or down) of the trailer coupling. Now this is mainly because I don't have enough adjustment either direction with the shank inverted or otherwise. I'm trying to get the ball to be 1/2" lower than the top of the coupling buy my issue is: at the highest point while the shank is pointing down I'm 2"+ to low and with the shank inverted and ball at the lowest point I'm 2"+ to high. I'm not confident I can set the truck and trailer up properly without first addressing this as I towed it home with the back of the TV sagging noticeably. Not fun!So without taking up to much more space I'd really like to know what solutions anyone has to offer. The most obvious is probably getting a different shank however if there's others I'm open to listening to anything. Has anyone used a ball with a 1" or 2" rise before? I've seen them and they still handle the same amount of load but maybe there is a downside to them? Thank you all in advance. I come here quite frequently to seek answers. Just never needed to ask anything until now!EDIT: I do have air bags as well. I'm setting the trailer up with the minimum Amount of air required by the manufacturer.

Welcome!I have used a 1 inch rise ball before without an issue.The ideal set up is to use a longer shank but a taller ball could get the job done as well. Just be carful with the taller balls. A lot of them are derated. Etrailer has some that would work well. Thanks!Jeremiah

you are better off lower than higher at the ball.

I believe you would be best off to get the proper shank, and get the whole thing level with the bars. Towing nose down is best, but not too much. If you start out 2 inches down, then lose another inch and a half after hooking up. The TT will be down so much you will be riding mostly on the front tires. Not good. Some hitches have holes to adjust height, and some have groves. The ones with the groves give a finer adjustment.

Yeah the problem with my shank is there is not enough adjustment to go the direction I need it to. Most shanks I see have holes all the way up and down, where the hole locations on mine stops prior to the 90 back into the hitch. If there was 1 more hole at that point all would be good. I thought about drilling through myself (I have the tools) but I can only imagine the manufacturer did it this way for a reason. Here is a picture (albeit not good quality) of this ball positioned at the top. I am 2" lower than the trailer coupling at this location.Edit: Well I apologize I cannot get the picture to load properly.

How much weight is the tongue? I assume that trailer will drop the truck a significant amount that you would want the ball higher.With ball in the higher position and trailer connected how is the level of truck and trailer?? After it drops without the bars set you then have to set the ball angle properly. If you are still low at the ball then the WD bars will lift the truck ... This adjustment is what takes time and after you think you have it set correctly you should hit the cat scales...

W/D tow setup | Good Sam Community

lawrosa
Explorer
Apr 22, 2015
How much weight is the tongue? I assume that trailer will drop the truck a significant amount that you would want the ball higher.

With ball in the higher position and trailer connected how is the level of truck and trailer??

After it drops without the bars set you then have to set the ball angle properly. If you are still low at the ball then the WD bars will lift the truck ... This adjustment is what takes time and after you think you have it set correctly you should hit the cat scales...
bigrailer19
Explorer
Apr 22, 2015
Yeah the problem with my shank is there is not enough adjustment to go the direction I need it to. Most shanks I see have holes all the way up and down, where the hole locations on mine stops prior to the 90 back into the hitch. If there was 1 more hole at that point all would be good. I thought about drilling through myself (I have the tools) but I can only imagine the manufacturer did it this way for a reason.

Here is a picture (albeit not good quality) of this ball positioned at the top. I am 2" lower than the trailer coupling at this location.

Edit: Well I apologize I cannot get the picture to load properly.
Terryallan
Explorer II
Apr 22, 2015
I believe you would be best off to get the proper shank, and get the whole thing level with the bars. Towing nose down is best, but not too much. If you start out 2 inches down, then lose another inch and a half after hooking up. The TT will be down so much you will be riding mostly on the front tires. Not good.

Some hitches have holes to adjust height, and some have groves. The ones with the groves give a finer adjustment.
old_guy
Explorer
Apr 22, 2015
you are better off lower than higher at the ball.
jerem0621
Explorer II
Apr 22, 2015
Welcome!

I have used a 1 inch rise ball before without an issue.

The ideal set up is to use a longer shank but a taller ball could get the job done as well.

Just be carful with the taller balls. A lot of them are derated.

Etrailer has some that would work well.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

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