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help with initial ball mount/height?

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Old Aug 29, 2018 | 11:49 AM
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help with initial ball mount/height?

I'm trying to help one of the young guys here at work, have not [yet] convinced him to join up on the forum .
He is gathering his "equipment" and building a [NMRA-class] '03 Mustang drag racer. He bought a trailer and also a bigger truck that can pull it. He is concerned about figuring out the correct ball mount etc... does not want to end up having bought 4 or 6 different mounts to get the right thing.
He just got a 2018 F250 XLT crew cab 4x4 truck with a 6.75’ bed (6.2L Gas powered/former rental unit). The truck is totally stock with the stock towing package. He's got a new 28’ Vintage Outlaw (alum) enclosed car trailer that has torsion suspension and 60 inch triple tongue. The trailer will weigh in at about 8-9k when loaded. He is trying to avoid an adjustable ball mount...and would much rather have a solid forged one piece ball mount.
I've told him that he needs to work up the details with the truck height, tongue height, etc. But at this point the trailer is empty (race car, etc not done)
I think that the bottom line questions are - how much truck "squat" can he expect to see at the ball with [approx.] 1300# tongue weight?
.... and about how much trailer squat (at the tongue) when loaded?
Any feedback appreciated, Thanks.
Thanks.
 
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Old Aug 29, 2018 | 12:30 PM
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I’ve got 500lbs of tongue weight and 800lbs of quad in the bed and my bumper settles about 2” but I’ve also got the Camper Package which includes a little bit stiffer springs. I think it may be tough to get it right before it’s all actually hitched up and he can see for himself. I’ve always been anti-adjustable ball mounts too but since this new truck has a 2 1/2” receiver on it and I needed a new one, I bit the bullet and got an adjustable rig anyway. It’s pretty handy and I’m kinda kicking myself for not getting one sooner!
 
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Old Aug 29, 2018 | 12:49 PM
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24' enclosed car hauler. Just under 9K lbs. ball mount has 6" drop.
 
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Old Aug 29, 2018 | 01:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Clubwagon

24' enclosed car hauler. Just under 9K lbs. ball mount has 6" drop.
Thanks Steve, I was hoping that you would chime in (did you see the p.m.?)
Your truck looks a lot like his (both white anyway )
How much squat are you seeing at the ball and from the trailer??
 
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Old Aug 29, 2018 | 01:03 PM
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Originally Posted by PentaPop
I’ve got 500lbs of tongue weight and 800lbs of quad in the bed and my bumper settles about 2” but I’ve also got the Camper Package which includes a little bit stiffer springs. I think it may be tough to get it right before it’s all actually hitched up and he can see for himself. I’ve always been anti-adjustable ball mounts too but since this new truck has a 2 1/2” receiver on it and I needed a new one, I bit the bullet and got an adjustable rig anyway. It’s pretty handy and I’m kinda kicking myself for not getting one sooner!
Thanks, I will pass that along.
 
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Old Aug 29, 2018 | 01:10 PM
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Seems like I've always read that tongue weight should be 10% + or - a little. Isn't 1300# a little much for an 8-9k load?
This is approximately 5500-6k. Distance from top of silver adjustment bar to top of ball is approximately 2 1/4 inches. Pulls the trailer pretty close to level, trying to equal the load on trailer axles. Squat almost not noticeable. But it's got the helper springs as it's got 5th wheel prep package.
I know that you want to avoid adjustable, which mine is. This is a Weigh Safe with built in scale.


 
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Old Aug 29, 2018 | 02:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Mark T-TB
Thanks Steve, I was hoping that you would chime in (did you see the p.m.?)
Your truck looks a lot like his (both white anyway )
How much squat are you seeing at the ball and from the trailer??
I'll go check messages. I don't often look.

I haven't measure the squat but it isn't much, I doubt its much more than an inch. After buying this trailer I moved the car back and forth slightly in the trailer to adjust the tongue weight to the minimum needed to ensure stability. I would bet the tongue weight is probably 800 lbs.
 
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Old Aug 29, 2018 | 03:07 PM
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Thanks guys.
I was pretty sure that a beast like that would not squat much with the trailer, but was absolutely sure that we could get some real insight on here
All help much appreciated
 
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Old Aug 29, 2018 | 04:50 PM
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I use a 6" drop forged ball mount for my equipment trailer. Sits perfect.
 
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Old Aug 29, 2018 | 05:21 PM
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Just hooked up my 20' enclosed Featherlite to the new F350 CCSB. Also went with the weigh safe (it sure is purdy!), and I briefly debated 6" drop or 8". Sure glad I went with 8" because I am all the way at the bottom of the range when the Featherlite is empty and I am just about level on the trailer. Very light tongue weight wile empty. I suspect that loaded I'll be no less than a 6" drop.
 
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