I've only got 7"

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Apr 12, 2011 | 06:39 AM

Tom Kreider

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From: Maryland

I've only got 7"

difference in height between the hitch receiver in the van and truck...

I've been towing my Dutchman camper (7000 GVWR) with my 2001 E-150, but now I will be pulling with my 2011 F-250. The receiver on the new truck is 7" higher than on the van. When hooked up with my weight distributing hitch to the van, the van and camper are both very level. Now with the truck, the camper is tilted up a little, caused by the 7" difference in receiver height. Is this a safety issue? Do I need to get a new shank for the hitch so that the camper is perfectly level again?

Any help is appreciated!

Tom

Apr 12, 2011 | 05:35 PM

bpounds

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From: Whittier, CA

I do think you need to get it closer to level. We all know 7" is a lot.

Most shanks can just be flipped over, so take a look, it might still work. Turns it into a drop hitch.

Apr 13, 2011 | 05:51 AM

Tom Kreider

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From: Maryland

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpounds

Most shanks can just be flipped over... Turns it into a drop hitch.

Yes, my current shank is already set up as a drop, with only one set of holes remaining. If I used those holes, it would absorb about 1.5" of the 7" I need to make up.

Looks like I'm shank shopping... I'm excited to tow the camper with the new truck. Waiting until I get 1000m on the ODO. First trip towing is early June.

Thanks!

Tom

Apr 13, 2011 | 07:29 PM

HrdDrv

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From: Baltimore

Hey Tom, could you shoot us a pic of your set-up? Seems to be an easy solve. A visual would be a great help. I understand the flip-up/down/drop-bar/adjuster etc...
Throw us a pic. Would like to see your set-up.
Cheers, and think Camping!

Apr 14, 2011 | 06:30 AM

Tom Kreider

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From: Maryland

Quote:

Originally Posted by HrdDrv

Hey Tom, could you shoot us a pic of your set-up? Seems to be an easy solve. Would like to see your set-up.
Cheers, and think Camping!

Sure, but right now I don't have any pictures of the truck hooked up to the camper. Thanks for your offer to help, but my question was if it was a safety issue to have the nose of the trailer lifted higher because the existing shank (sized to work with my van) has only a small drop that isn't low enough for the higher receiver height of my new 250. So no problem to fix really other than getting a new shank that has 7 more inches of drop. $100 and problem solved. I will be taking many pictures of the camper and truck as soon as I swap shanks and get the rig nice and level.

Thanks again for your offer of help and stand by for some cool Super Duty Camper pics.