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ChrisnPatty · 05-31-2014, 06:38 PM

This is our first trailer. Need advice. We're setting up a Blue Ox SwayPro for a 22FB with a 2014 Ford F150 4x4. Has anyone set up a similar combination?

Had to purchase a 9 hole receiver to allow the hitch to drop low enough to meet the 17 3/4 inch ball height stated in the Airstream manual. Mounted the hitch on holes 3 and 5 from bottom. Installed SwayPro per mfr direction. With trailer attached to ball, ball sits about 19 1/2 inches high. Attached chains on springbar with 6 1/2 links showing. It seems to ride OK, but I have no previous reference to compare.

Here is my concern: The springbars seem to ride pretty low. I have 4 inches of clearance between the u bolt and the ground. In our short inaugural ride, I bottomed them out several times on modest dips.

Advice? Thanks.

gmw photos · 05-31-2014, 06:51 PM

Let's see some photos please ? Something is not right if you have only 4" of clearance.

ChrisnPatty · 05-31-2014, 07:27 PM

Photos attached.

Pat Cassity · 05-31-2014, 07:36 PM

I had the exact same problem when I purchased my AS last year. The dealer had installed a shank that sat too low. Blue Ox came out to the park we were in and determined that they would need to get me a different shank. The tech found one, ordered it and it arrived about a week or so later at my home by. FedEx. . He then actually came to my house in the Houston area, installed the new shank and made sure my setup was correct. I can't say enough about the Blue Ox customer service.

ChrisnPatty · 05-31-2014, 07:46 PM

If, by "shank", you are referring to the receiver and perhaps I have it set too low, won't raising it up also raise the ball height and therefore make my trailer higher in the front than the back (not good I presume)? And yes, Blue Ox customer service is excellent. The receiver that came with my hitch did not drop low enough to allow the 17 3/4 ball height recommended by AS. They replaced it with an extended receiver at no charge.

Pat Cassity · 05-31-2014, 07:59 PM

Personally I have not heard of the 17 3/4" AS recommendation, but I had a shank (receiver) that sat too low. I bottomed out numerous times on my first trip which resulted in the bars being bent to point of having to be replaced. My issue was that the dealer didn't install the correct shank, set the entire hitch incorrectly for my TV (2011 Suburban) and didn't set the chains correctly in the first place. Once the Blue Ox tech set up the hitch using the correct shank, I have traveled over 3000 miles without an issue.

SSquared · 05-31-2014, 10:02 PM

It looks to me like your bars have very little bend to them, meaning not very tight and not a lot of weight transfer.

What weight bars do you have?

I think you should either
--weigh your rig at a three-platform truck scale (like CAT brand scales). There is a procedure written up in other threads about doing this--you actually weigh multiple times.
--Or, measure your truck's fender height in front and back, with the trailer hooked up, and also when the trailer is not attached. The owner's manual for some trucks has a section that tells you what a "good" measurement is. I don't know if Ford puts this in their manuals.

You can experiment with the number of links you use on the Blue Ox, and re-weigh or re-measure each time, to zero in on what the right chain link is.

Also, measure distance from the frame of the trailer to the ground, at both the front and back of the trailer, to make sure the trailer is sitting close to level.

Vitaminsea · 05-31-2014, 11:18 PM

I found three full links showing made the difference for me. It's a game to adjust it to your setup. Mine was bouncy for the up and down on freeways until I made it tighter by one link.

You need the bend in the bars. That's how this hitch up works. Suggesting eight chain links before the hook up.

Pat Cassity · 06-02-2014, 08:25 AM

I have also found that the 8th link on the chain is the sweet spot for my setup.

Vitaminsea · 06-03-2014, 01:41 PM

Here is a photo with the blue ox in my adjusted setup. Note the 3 (and half) chain links showing and the bend in the bars.

This is for my 2012 28' international connected to a 4x2 2011 Tundra with 1000 pound WD bars. What WD bars are you using for your 22FB?

Your truck might be higher being a 4x4 2014 F150 and that is why you have the longer drop receiver. Seems the drop in the receiver could be shorter beyond the bolts you're using.

ShinyPete · 06-03-2014, 01:58 PM

I'll chime in too if it might help someone else.

Our 2013 F150 crew xlt 2wd tows Pete our 2014 FC 27fb very nicely using 1000lb bars on the Blue Ox hitch. I go with the 8th link down grabbed by the Blue Ox rotating brackets. I guess that "drops" 8 links as my chains have 16 total links on them. I have nearly the same curve as the previous pic.

ChrisnPatty · 06-03-2014, 09:11 PM

Thanks all for the advice. We have the 550# bars (mfr quoted tongue weight 367#). Per suggestions I did put more bend in the bars, with 4.5 links showing below or 7 links free on the top. It does give me more ground clearance. I haven't been able to take the set up to a scale, but from some measurements, the truck looks to be level and the trailer has about 1/2 inch drop front to rear. We'll see how she travels this weekend on our first outing that includes some freeway and some mountains.