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I'm tearing up my hitch...Help!

jesseindallas
Explorer
Explorer
Bought the hitch adapter to even out my trailer. With it on or off, I'm either beating my hitch post up, or dragging the rear of my cargo trailer. What can I do?


19 REPLIES 19

Horizon170
Explorer
Explorer
You will never be happy until you raise the hitch ball AND raise the trailer frame.

W=front tire
X=rear tire
Y=hitch ball
Z=Trailer tire
They aren't equally spaced but kinda close in dimensions.
The distance that W raises (Entering drive, etc) then Y will lower almost the same. Look at the top picture and it should be obvious
what is needed.
You would be fine if the distance between X and Y was half the
present distance.
Marvin

2010 Coachman Freelander 22TB on a
2008 Sprinter/Freightliner chassis
1995 Geo Tracker (Toad)

F1bNorm
Explorer
Explorer
Had a similar problem. As others have suggested, bought a Harbor Freight folding hitch jack for around $20 (use the 20% off coupon) unbolted the old jack and installed the new one - about 10 mins. See:http://www.harborfreight.com/automotive-motorcycle/trailer-jacks.html
F1BNorm

Horizon170
Explorer
Explorer
To really solve your problem once an for all:
1. Get rid of hitch adapter.
2. Install equalizer.
3. Raise trailer frame by either putting springs on top of axle or if axle is already there add spacer blocks/extra leaf to springs.
Marvin

2010 Coachman Freelander 22TB on a
2008 Sprinter/Freightliner chassis
1995 Geo Tracker (Toad)

indyzmike
Explorer
Explorer
You have a low trailer and a long overhang on the motorhome. I could see a trailer with the axle closer to the back if the load is light. Then you could raise the front of the trailer.
Raising the trailer on the axle seems like the best bet. How to do it depends on the type of the suspension on the trailer. With leaf springs, you can put the axle below the spring, as others have suggested. If the springs have them, you can also install longer shackles, the plates that the back of the springs mount to. This drops the back of the spring farther away from the trailer. Adding 3 inches to the shackle raises the trailer 1 and a half inches.
If the suspension is rubber torsion spring, you might be able to find taller ones, or modify the mount on the frame to raise the trailer.
Check for a local trailer dealer, or a spring shop.
2004 Coachmen Freedom 285QB Class C

Francesca_Knowl
Explorer
Explorer
hmknightnc wrote:
Get rid of the adapter and use a normal drop hitch, looks like 4 or 6 inches drp
Replace the trailer jack with a swing up type jack

This is easiest- as said before, getting that connection point closer to the RV will improve the angle and reduce scraping. And a side swing (or removable) tongue jack will solve the rest of the problem.
" Not every mind that wanders is lost. " With apologies to J.R.R. Tolkien

Hank85713
Explorer
Explorer
It seems you have 2 issues. 1 with the trailer having such a low stance, yes you will need to flip the axel to get about 3 inches more in ride height. 2 you need airbags in the rear to help keep the rv level, a wd hitch will not really help as the a frame I think is to short and again the height is too low for it to really do any good. is there a slot for the draw bar up one level? Have you tried that or if not aas suggested above a 2" drop would probably help instead of what appears to be a 4 inch.

hmknightnc
Explorer
Explorer
Get rid of the adapter and use a normal drop hitch, looks like 4 or 6 inches drp
Replace the trailer jack with a swing up type jack

bgum
Explorer
Explorer
Turn only the stinger with the ball on it over and then flip the ball over.

John_S_
Explorer II
Explorer II
Swap the springs is the only thing that will help. You can get rid of the adapter but I hit my rear end roll wheels on my 24 FT all the time. The hitch is further out so it will hit more often. It is the design of the long overhang. I do not hit with my 42 FT Foretravel.
John
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on a Ford 550
2018 Rubicon
Boo Boo a Mi Kie
42' 36' & 34 Foretravels sold
2007 Born free 24 sold
2001 Wrangler sold
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland sold
Susie Dolly, Lolly &Doodle (CKC) now in our hearts and thoughts

mikeh449
Explorer
Explorer
trailer is overloaded

eHoefler
Explorer II
Explorer II
Equalizing hitch! The coach is nose high, an equalizing hitch will level out the coach and the trailer, raising the clearance at the hitch.
2021 Ram Limited, 3500, Crew Cab, 1075FTPD of Torque!, Max Tow, Long bed, 4 x 4, Dually,
2006 40' Landmark Mt. Rushmore

Monaco_Montclai
Explorer
Explorer
simple to me, ether a drop down bar or turn the dropdown bar over. works for me, now its all happy-camping

Capt_Storm
Explorer
Explorer
Don't even look like taller tires will fit on the trailer. Intheburbs is correct.
In the first pic the angle of the trailer looks right. I would try switching out the jack for a swing away one like was mentioned.
That trailer does sit low to the ground.
As it is even if you raise the rear of the rv or the hitch the rear of the trailer will just get lower. It's all geometry.

intheburbs
Explorer
Explorer
dakdave wrote:
remove the jack and install a swing away hitch jack.


This seems to be the only viable option.

Unfortunately, you're fighting physics. Your hitch is so far rearward from your rear axle that any motion from bumps or undulation is magnified/amplified.
2008 Suburban 2500 3LT 3.73 4X4 "The Beast"
2013 Springdale 303BHS, 8620 lbs
2009 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali (backup TV, hot rod)
2016 Jeep JKU Sahara in Tank, 3.23 (hers)
2010 Jeep JKU Sahara in Mango Tango PC, 3.73 (his)