|
05-29-2014, 05:05 PM
|
#1
|
3 Rivet Member
1993 25' Excella
CLeveland
, Ohio
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 154
|
2014 2500 Ram and Reese Hitch
I have a 1993 25 foot Excella and a 2014 Ram 2500 4x4 which sits pretty high. When I attach the Reese hitch to the trailer the trailer is not perfectly level. The front is up a couple of inches higher than the back of the trailer. I cannot adlust the hitch any further to compensate for this. How much of an issue is this really? When we picked it up a few weeks ago, we pulled it 260 miles with no issues!.
|
|
|
05-29-2014, 06:07 PM
|
#2
|
Rivet Master
2014 31' Classic
2015 23' International
2013 25' FB International
Apache Junction
, Arizona
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 6,223
|
I replaced the Dodge factory hitch (cut it off with a torch) with a Curt 15409 hitch rated 2,550 pounds with a receiver opening about 4" lower than the factory unit.
That would allow you to lower the front of the trailer to nearly level.
__________________
WBCCI Life Member 5123, AIR 70341, 4CU, WD9EMC
TV - 2012 Dodge 2500 4x4 Cummins HO, automatic, Centramatics, Kelderman level ride airbag suspension, bed shell
2014 31' Classic w/ twin beds, 50 amp service, 1000 watt solar system, Centramatics, Tuson TPMS, 12" disc brakes, 16" tires & wheels
|
|
|
05-29-2014, 06:12 PM
|
#3
|
Chief Chili Cook
2010 30' Flying Cloud
Bakersfield
, California
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 738
|
You're putting more load on the rear axle of the trailer with the nose high. That would also cause a more harsh ride. But 2 inches probably isn't too significant at 25'. I would level the trailer if for no other reason than to get the rear ground clearance back.
__________________
The NSA -- The only part of the government that listens.
|
|
|
05-29-2014, 07:05 PM
|
#5
|
Rivet Master
1961 24' Tradewind
1969 29' Ambassador
1970 21' Globetrotter
Jamestown
, Tennessee
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,783
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Akronguy
I have a 1993 25 foot Excella and a 2014 Ram 2500 4x4 which sits pretty high. When I attach the Reese hitch to the trailer the trailer is not perfectly level. The front is up a couple of inches higher than the back of the trailer. I cannot adlust the hitch any further to compensate for this. How much of an issue is this really? When we picked it up a few weeks ago, we pulled it 260 miles with no issues!.
|
What you need is a drop bar. This is the one I am using on my 2013 Ram 2500 4x4. I have the reese head on it.
Amazon.com: Curt Manufacturing 17124 Adj Hitch Bar 11 In X 8 3/4 In No Rise: Automotive
__________________
Rick Davis 1602 K8DOC
61 tradewind, plus a few others
13 Ram 2500 TD
99 Dodge TD 577K miles
|
|
|
05-29-2014, 07:25 PM
|
#6
|
2 Rivet Member
2015 27' FB International
Findlay
, OH
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 46
|
I'm trying to absorb as much as possible before ordering an Airstream and purchasing a tow vehicle. Do 20" tires on a Dodge Ram and stock(?) 15" rims on the AS result in the problem described? If so, is it a best practice to aim for standard 18" tires on a Ram 2500 and upgrade to 16" rims on the AS as a starting point?
|
|
|
05-30-2014, 07:06 AM
|
#7
|
Rivet Master
1961 24' Tradewind
1969 29' Ambassador
1970 21' Globetrotter
Jamestown
, Tennessee
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,783
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by PurdueMom
I'm trying to absorb as much as possible before ordering an Airstream and purchasing a tow vehicle. Do 20" tires on a Dodge Ram and stock(?) 15" rims on the AS result in the problem described? If so, is it a best practice to aim for standard 18" tires on a Ram 2500 and upgrade to 16" rims on the AS as a starting point?
|
The trucks are higher than they used to be. My 2013 Ram 4x4 with stock tires (17 inch) is 5 inches higher than my 99 Dodge 2 wd.
This isn't really a problem, the use of a drop bar takes care of it. The typical Airstream requires a ball height in the 19 inch area. Most white box trailer are higher off the ground.
__________________
Rick Davis 1602 K8DOC
61 tradewind, plus a few others
13 Ram 2500 TD
99 Dodge TD 577K miles
|
|
|
05-30-2014, 08:01 AM
|
#8
|
Rivet Master
1988 25' Excella
1987 32' Excella
Knoxville
, Tennessee
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,119
|
I have a 2500 4x4 and use a Reese hitch. I use a drawbar with around 6"of drop. In my opinion you do not want the trailer tongue high at all.
|
|
|
05-30-2014, 08:25 AM
|
#9
|
2 Rivet Member
2015 27' FB International
Findlay
, OH
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 46
|
Your comments are helpful. Thank you!
|
|
|
05-30-2014, 08:28 AM
|
#10
|
3 Rivet Member
2003 25' Safari
Riverside
, California
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 234
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by PurdueMom
I'm trying to absorb as much as possible before ordering an Airstream and purchasing a tow vehicle. Do 20" tires on a Dodge Ram and stock(?) 15" rims on the AS result in the problem described? If so, is it a best practice to aim for standard 18" tires on a Ram 2500 and upgrade to 16" rims on the AS as a starting point?
|
The OD of the tires will be very close,the less sidewall the less risk of sidewall flexing but also slightly less comfort
__________________
2003 25' Safari
2005 Ram 2500 4x4
1994 Ram 2500 4x4
2015 Toyota Tacoma trd 4x4
2000 Jeep Wrangler 4x4
|
|
|
05-30-2014, 08:35 AM
|
#11
|
Rivet Master
1981 31' Excella II
New Market
, Alabama
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 6,145
|
Trucks in general are too high off the ground. There is no technical reason for this other than a marketing ploy. Actually, the higher the truck the worse of a tow vehicle it is. I would contact Reese and find a bar with more drop than what you have now. The problem is the draw bar is part of the load distributing hitch.
Perry
|
|
|
05-30-2014, 09:35 AM
|
#12
|
Rivet Master
2014 31' Classic
2015 23' International
2013 25' FB International
Apache Junction
, Arizona
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 6,223
|
The 16" wheel conversion to Michelin LT225/75R16/E LTX M/S2 tires and SenDel T03-66655T wheels on any 25' or longer Airstream (some of the shorter Airstream units come with 14" tires with five lug nuts and these 16" tires and wheels could be too large in diameter to fit) is the same modification that can be done at the factory during the build process or as an after sale install. Many of us have acquired the wheels and tires locally. I put my spare on a SenDel S62-66655TG galvanized steel wheel and kept a spare aluminum wheel "just in case" in the storage unit.
I added the Centramatic wheel balancers to both the truck and the Airstream (tires are still balanced the usual way) and a Dill TPMS 1506 system so I had six senders with one in the spare tire.
I run the stock Michelin LT265/70R17E tires on the Dodge. After switching to an all air bag level ride suspension, the rear of the truck was lowered about three inches. It will fit under a standard garage door opening. Without the lowering, it was too tall in the rear.
Between the Curt 15409 hitch and the suspension change and the use of a ProPride hitch with 1.5" offset from straight, the Airstream is about ¼" low in front.
__________________
WBCCI Life Member 5123, AIR 70341, 4CU, WD9EMC
TV - 2012 Dodge 2500 4x4 Cummins HO, automatic, Centramatics, Kelderman level ride airbag suspension, bed shell
2014 31' Classic w/ twin beds, 50 amp service, 1000 watt solar system, Centramatics, Tuson TPMS, 12" disc brakes, 16" tires & wheels
|
|
|
06-02-2014, 05:37 PM
|
#13
|
3 Rivet Member
1993 25' Excella
CLeveland
, Ohio
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 154
|
Thanks Everyone for your input!
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|