Is the front of my AS too low?

[Getahobby]

Just took the Airstream for it's first shakedown ride with the new to me F-250. Looks like the stinger for the Hensley I got with the trailer has too much of a drop. Opinions please. I heard Hensley will exchange these for you, is that true? Also, how much do you tighten the bars on each side, just hand tight?
thanks,
Dave

[Airslide]

It sure looks that way to me. Im sure you will bottom out when approaching a driveway or speed bump. Seems like too much drop on that stinger.


Vinnie

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, Getahobby. I don't know if you are on level ground or not, but if you are, I see a lot. Your hitch looks like it's about to drag on the ground, the rear of your truck looks low, and the front wheels on your trailer are closer to the wheel well than the rear wheels. First thing I would do is to crank up the bars until the truck levels out, then check to see how much adjustment you need to level out your trailer. Then replace the stinger, if necessary.

[Friday]

In most Canadian provinces, the motor vehicle act does not allow any part of the vehicle to be lower to the ground than the bottom of the rims... ie, if you took all your tires off, all 4 wheels would still touch the ground.

What you have here does not appear to be legal, so you need to address at least that aspect of it...

[perryg114]

It looks a few inches low. It also looks like your load bars don't have much tension on them which will make it low in the front.

Perry

[Getahobby]

Calling Hensley this morning for a new stinger and a manual for the hitch. I hope to be camping soon!
Dave

[dznf0g]

Before you do that, give us the distance from the top of the truck receiver opening to the ground with the truck unhitched and unladen.

It looks like the truck is sagging and you may not have enough tension on the spring bars.

In my experience with a HAHA:

23" = a 8" drop
21" = a 6" drop
19" = a 4" drop
17" = a 2" drop
15" = a straight stinger
13" = a 2" rise (my Chevy van is actually that low, with the receiver under the bumper)

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

Before you do that, give us the distance from the top of the truck receiver opening to the ground with the truck unhitched and unladen.

It looks like the truck is sagging and you may not have enough tension on the spring bars.

In my experience with a HAHA:

23" = a 8" drop
21" = a 6" drop
19" = a 4" drop
17" = a 2" drop
15" = a straight stinger
13" = a 2" rise (my Chevy van is actually that low, with the receiver under the bumper)

Hey, good job with that reference set! Added it to the HAHA thread? I've been needing to exchange the stinger since I am carrying an additional 600-lbs in the truck bed and have replaced the hitch receiver with a different piece that "lowers" the hitch opening. Been thinking 2" drop, but will check a few more times after I nail down the tire pressures (and possibly exchange a few things from truck to SS trunk) . . a straight piece might be the one to go with. An SS trailer is different, but ball height is ball height. Thanks for the chart.


And agreed that the OP was correct to post and ask advice. The trailer needs to be level once hitched up properly.

.

[overlander63]

You can download and print the manual from this page:
User Manual Downloads | Hensley Hitch Towable Products
I use a 4" drop with my F250 and Hensley.

[Getahobby]

Looks like I'm about 19.5". I cranked up the jacks and I look pretty level now with the 6 inch drop, but 4" would be ideal. Hensley won't exchange the stingers if you don't have the lifetime warranty. They're $210 plus shipping. Anyone looking for a 6 inch drop at a discount?
Dave

[Alphonse]

Just installed a new hitch yesterday and all this is in mind when I look at your photos. Looks you have plenty of TV to do the job.

First, as you are indicating make sure the drop/stinger is at the proper height. Without this, you are off to a very bad start. Once you get that nailed down, you can dial in the WD effect to get the proper loading on the front of the truck.

Best of luck.

[boondockdad]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

Before you do that, give us the distance from the top of the truck receiver opening to the ground with the truck unhitched and unladen.

It looks like the truck is sagging and you may not have enough tension on the spring bars.

In my experience with a HAHA:

23" = a 8" drop
21" = a 6" drop
19" = a 4" drop
17" = a 2" drop
15" = a straight stinger
13" = a 2" rise (my Chevy van is actually that low, with the receiver under the bumper)

Are these measurements to lower edge of receiver?
If so, looks like a pretty good reference. I'm at 18.25" (lower inside surface) with a 2" drop, seen here:


That's what level looks like.