CUSTOM FABRICATED BALL MOUNT?
I had a previous post about pushing my 19ft Airstream back enough to drop my tailgate. I thought I had it solved with a 13 ¼ inch (pin hole to middle of ball) hitch. After turning my jack sideways I w...
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CONCLUSION TO A CUSTOM FABRICATED BALL MOUNT
Thanks for all of your input. I concluded that since I am so far under the tow and tongue weight, as well as payload, that I would go ahead with the 16 inch, pin hole to ball center, ball carrier and turning my jack sideways to get my tailgate down. It could have worked with a 1 to 2 inches shorter ball carrier but actually, I think I might have run into problems if the trailer and truck weren't aligned perfectly straight. When the truck and trailer are at a slight angle, the tailgate nestles up pretty close to the jack column with the 16 incher. Anything less and I think it might hit.
Cutting the ball carrier shorter and drilling a new hole might have worked also. I suspect all the warnings not to do that related to liability. And, it certainly would have voided any warranty.
In any case, my first trail run was smooth, with no sway or jerking both on bumpy, pot holed roads as well as at highway speed. My first trial with a shorter 13 ¼ hitch didn't have any sway but I did feel a very slight bit of bounce and probably a little jerkiness than with the shorter ball mount. HOWEVER, I quickly discovered that the trailer was at or just below level. By turning the ball mount over and getting a ¾ inch rise, enough of the weight was pushed back that the smooth, effortless, Airstream ride returned. Right now I am just barely above level and have that Airstream ride so far. If I need to lift it just a bit more I could use an extended ball to gain a small increment of height but, I think it will be OK as is.
My last task is to weigh all three axels and make sure that I am OK with weight distribution. With my truck specs and the weight of the Airstream I don't think I need a weight distribution hitch. It feels balanced but I will confirm with a trip to the scales.
I have jerked on the steering wheel pretty hard to check sway and the truck's built in sway control along with Airstream's torsion bar axel doesn't allow more than two shakes of the trailer before straightening out. Someday I may add both weight distribution and sway control just as an extra margin of safety but there is no immediate indication of the need.
Thanks again for all of the GREAT input. Photos of the setup are included.
Thanks for all of your input. I concluded that since I am so far under the tow and tongue weight, as well as payload, that I would go ahead with the 16 inch, pin hole to ball center, ball carrier and turning my jack sideways to get my tailgate down. It could have worked with a 1 to 2 inches shorter ball carrier but actually, I think I might have run into problems if the trailer and truck weren't aligned perfectly straight. When the truck and trailer are at a slight angle, the tailgate nestles up pretty close to the jack column with the 16 incher. Anything less and I think it might hit.
Cutting the ball carrier shorter and drilling a new hole might have worked also. I suspect all the warnings not to do that related to liability. And, it certainly would have voided any warranty.
In any case, my first trail run was smooth, with no sway or jerking both on bumpy, pot holed roads as well as at highway speed. My first trial with a shorter 13 ¼ hitch didn't have any sway but I did feel a very slight bit of bounce and probably a little jerkiness than with the shorter ball mount. HOWEVER, I quickly discovered that the trailer was at or just below level. By turning the ball mount over and getting a ¾ inch rise, enough of the weight was pushed back that the smooth, effortless, Airstream ride returned. Right now I am just barely above level and have that Airstream ride so far. If I need to lift it just a bit more I could use an extended ball to gain a small increment of height but, I think it will be OK as is.
My last task is to weigh all three axels and make sure that I am OK with weight distribution. With my truck specs and the weight of the Airstream I don't think I need a weight distribution hitch. It feels balanced but I will confirm with a trip to the scales.
I have jerked on the steering wheel pretty hard to check sway and the truck's built in sway control along with Airstream's torsion bar axel doesn't allow more than two shakes of the trailer before straightening out. Someday I may add both weight distribution and sway control just as an extra margin of safety but there is no immediate indication of the need.
Thanks again for all of the GREAT input. Photos of the setup are included.
