Ok, Stupid Towing Question

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Jun 7, 2011 | 08:18 PM

Excurvelle

Thread Starter

Logistics Pro

Joined: Mar 2010

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From: NC

Ok, Stupid Towing Question

I hooked up the Ex tonight to my loaded 24' car hauler. We are traveling 1000 miles this week to a show and of course we want a safe trip. I am using a ProPride WD hitch. Tires are at 70 front, 80 rear and trailer tires at 65. The trailer is not "flat", it tilts some to the rear. Looking at other pics travel trailers are even to the ground. The Ex sank about 2" when the load hit it. I took it down the road and back at highway speeds and it felt fine. I tried to take pictures but it was too dark.

I could lower my hitch height but then I feel like the hitch will be too low off the bumper. Is it unusual for a trailer to be down a little more in the tail than in the front. There is a little optical illusion too because of a dovetail.

Jun 7, 2011 | 08:21 PM

A/Ox4

9 ECHO 1

Joined: Aug 2009

Posts: 12,467

Likes: 58

From: Missouri

It could be that you need a longer drop hitch. But with a 2wd stock X I dont see you needing much more than a 2" drop (which is normal). It is best to get the trailer as level as possible.

Your Ex sinking 2" is about normal with a car hauler and a vehicle on it. If you are going to do this kind of towing often I suggest load bags.

Jun 7, 2011 | 09:40 PM

Red Ex

Senior User

Joined: Mar 2010

Posts: 305

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Do you have any idea of the tongue weight? Is the front of the Ex staying at the same height or raising up? Sounds like you may not be tightening up the weight distribution enough. Your goal would be to tighten up the weight distribution so that the front does not raise any when hooked up. If you can tighten the weight distribution up so you only have a 1" drop when connected, you could then adjust the shank down one notch and end up with about the same clearance you have now. You may need to adjust the tilt of the shank to be able to get more adjustment from the load bars (I am using two washers with mine). A rear spring change (B or F code), RAS or airbags could help handle the weight in the rear if needed.

Our travel trailer has 1300lb tongue and with the propride hitch WD tightened up I have 1.25" drop in the rear and the front stays level.

The propride will control sway with the nose of the trailer up a little if you need the additional hitch clearance - I checked on this with Sean at Propride.

Good luck. I love my propride hitch.

Jun 7, 2011 | 10:58 PM

Excurvelle

Thread Starter

Logistics Pro

Joined: Mar 2010

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From: NC

I went out and readjusted the hitch. To get the tongue height perfect leaves me only 6" of clearance to the bottom of my adjustable hitch mount. The truck and trailer are now level with about 1" of drop that I compensated for when I adjusted the stinger mount.

I took the truck up the road and it handled fine. On a very tight turn I heard a small bang, I think the chain hit the bottom of the mount.

Tomorrow will be the true test of my ProPride.

Jun 7, 2011 | 11:59 PM

EXv10

Post Fiend

Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 11,798

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From: Mt. Shasta California

Not a stupid question at all...........carry on.

Jun 8, 2011 | 10:25 AM

jasonodsky

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Oct 2010

Posts: 1,407

Likes: 155

From: Milwaukee, WI

Quote:

Originally Posted by EXv10

Not a stupid question at all...........carry on.

The only stupid question is the one you don't ask. Towing is serious safety business so not messing around, asking the question and applying the know how makes you a very wise, not stupid man!

Jun 8, 2011 | 10:19 PM

Excurvelle

Thread Starter

Logistics Pro

Joined: Mar 2010

Posts: 3,532

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From: NC

Thanks for your help guys. 265 miles today through the NC and TN mountains and the ProPride did great. My weight distribution seems to be fine, my wife really noticed from the pass seat how the sway is gone and the truck is under better control, no white knucles this trip.

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Jun 8, 2011 | 10:58 PM

Red Ex

Senior User

Joined: Mar 2010

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Glad to hear it and thanks for the report back. If you want/need more clearance than the 6" the propride will work effectively even with the trailer nose up. I bought my propride very lightly used. The guy I bought it from said his 30' bunkhouse travel trailer towed better with the nose up. I bought a new trailer and went to Indiana to pick it up. Mounted the hitch at the lot in Indiana before driving 2200 miles to Washington. I have a 6" lift and I knew the trailer nose may be up a little and just wanted to be able to tow safely home. I asked Sean at Propride if that would be ok and he said the hitch will eliminate sway equally well with the nose up. As long as the back would not drag in dips I would be fine. I took his word for it (and the previous hitch owner) and it performed as he said even with the nose 2" high. Once home I gave the travel trailer a 2" lift as I wanted the additional clearance for some campgrounds around here. Now it sits level but seems to tow the same as it did with the nose up. It is an amazing hitch.

If your 6" clearance is just the bottom of the hitch shank, you could cut it off as another option.

Have a safe trip and congrats.