Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 02-07-2008, 06:58 PM   #1
4 Rivet Member
 
Currently Looking...
holland , Michigan
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 436
Images: 1
distance from the bumper

Just curious, getting out of LA today and in Banning. I have never had my hitch properly set up, just shoved the PO hitch into my truck and away we went. I have the trailer level as I had the ball raised 5 holes in the drawbar. My next question is how far the ball is from the bumber. It looks way too far out. What is the best distance? I have a guy here who will cut and redrill it. Any comments, and if way out it seems it would put stress on the truck etc.
safari 28 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-07-2008, 08:35 PM   #2
Rivet Master
 
Excella CM's Avatar
 
1978 31' Excella 500
Venice , California
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 1,067
Ther general idea is to keep the moment arm small by keeping the ball close to the TV so that you dont bend the hitch or the TV frame.
__________________
"Not all who are laundering are washed" say Bill & Heidi

'78 Excella 500,"The Silver Pullit". vacuum over hydraulic disc brakes, center bath, rear twin. '67 Travelall 1200 B 4X4 WBCCI 3737
Excella CM is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-08-2008, 05:55 AM   #3
Site Team
 
azflycaster's Avatar

 
2002 25' Safari
Dewey , Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 15,615
Images: 62
Blog Entries: 1
If you make it too short you then risk the trailer hitting your TV when you make a sharp backing move. If you add mud guards (rock tamers) these will also need to be considered when you look at that turning distance. My ball seems to be back more then it should, but I have no fear of hitting the trailer either.
__________________

Richard

Wally Byam Airstream Club 7513
azflycaster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-08-2008, 06:38 AM   #4
4 Rivet Member
 
2019 28' International
Leonardtown , Maryland
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 262
Images: 3
Tow Hitch

Most tow adapters have a tongue weight rating for the position of the holes. that secure it to the receiver. The further out the less tongue weight, but the further out the more flexiable your menuvering can be. Find the weight rating on the adapter and get the tongue weight on the AS and get your best balance.

dale
__________________
_________________

Rebee - WBCCI #1325
2002 Classic Ltd 30'
2007 Dodge 2500, 6.7 Cummins
Rebee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-08-2008, 07:03 AM   #5
Rivet Master
 
1977 31' Sovereign
1963 26' Overlander
1989 34' Excella
Johnsburg , Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,944
The further back you go with the pivot point the more likely you are to have sway problems due to lateral reaction to passing trucks bow wave or other causes of lateral forces. It has always been suggested to keep the ball overhang distance to a minimum. But having it too short can cause you problems to access the back of the tow vehicle. If you have a tailgate truck, it may hit the jack motor on the trailer.
dwightdi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-08-2008, 07:32 AM   #6
Rivet Master
 
CanoeStream's Avatar

 
2006 25' Safari FB SE
St. Cloud , Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,280
Images: 19
Blog Entries: 3
Your profile says Ford but your avatar pic is a Chev. My Reese stinger has 2 holes for variable placement. If you have a GM I'd suggest reasonably short. I think I have to put mine on 'long' when I've got the Enkay on there. Get out and check when backing to understand your setup the best. Nothing like pinching the tow vehicle and Airstream to ruin your day. See:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f464...les-34603.html
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f238...elp-37434.html

It's hard to know if there has been any substantial redesign to their receiver. I know my '06 looks pretty wimpy. Who will know except 3-4 years down the road? Anybody heard for sure?
__________________
Bob

5 meter Langford Nahanni

CanoeStream is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-08-2008, 08:03 AM   #7
Rivet Master
 
SilverCabin's Avatar

 
2014 27' Flying Cloud
Viera , Florida
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,296
Equal-i-zer Discussion

We have been discussing this with respect to the Equal-i-zer on this thread: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f464...ort-34484.html

The discussion starts after post 45 on page 4.

Randy
__________________
Randy & Pat Godfrey
Florida Airstream Club (027)
ACI# 1212 - AIR# 17017
2014 27FB Flying Cloud - SilverCabin II
2018 F-150 Platinum - unnamed

The best part of any trip is when you pull away from home.
SilverCabin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-08-2008, 08:06 AM   #8
More than one rivet loose
 
thecatsandi's Avatar

 
Currently Looking...
Los Alamos , New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,756
Quote:
Originally Posted by safari 28
My next question is how far the ball is from the bumber. It looks way too far out. What is the best distance? I have a guy here who will cut and redrill it. Any comments, and if way out it seems it would put stress on the truck etc.
Cut and drill what? Most hitches to not tak well to being altered. My ball is about a foot from the truck bumper. Do you have a weight distribution hitch? if not due to the size of the trailer you need one.
__________________
Michelle TAC MT-0
Sarah, Snowball

Looking for a 1962 Flying Cloud

thecatsandi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-08-2008, 02:07 PM   #9
4 Rivet Member
 
Airstreamer67's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 334
Several inches won't make a big difference.

Mine is long enough to let my tailgate down for easy assess.

The weight transfer bars help make up the difference anyway, relative to added leverage from a slightly longer hitch bar.

I think most standard factory hitch bars are not going to be too long in any case. I don't like the idea of drilling extra holes.
Airstreamer67 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-08-2008, 03:50 PM   #10
Rivet Master
 
Road Ruler's Avatar
 
Currently Looking...
St. Catharines , South Western Ontario
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,367
Images: 38
Moving the ball in even a couple of inches can make a significant difference on many combinations.

As far as optimal handling and minimal stress on the receiver the closer you are to the back bumper the better. Yes... redrill the shank to shorten the distance. Andy T. talks about the advantages in this article....

RV Lifestyle - Hitch Hints
__________________
Airstreams..... The best towing trailers on the planet!
Road Ruler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-08-2008, 05:04 PM   #11
4 Rivet Member
 
Currently Looking...
holland , Michigan
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 436
Images: 1
I am almost ashamed to tell all of you for over 12k miles i have had a distance of over 143/4 inches center of ball to bumber. Other than it looking a little wierd, the big hassle is out west I was constantly hitting botom going into gas stations and the like, with or without the A/S.

I had the shank redrilled and now at 113/4 inches, normal according to the local trailer guy here. He said it was a good test for the truck, and the reese dual cam that I did not feel uncomfortable with the wiggle that seemed to be in mainly cross wind. Ignorance is bliss.

I hook up tomorrow, will tst to see how the distance and tight turn issue has changed. It should be more stable in high cross winds as well. I noticed a huge difference when we leveled the trailer out, raising the ball 5 holes. Let this be lesson to all that so called dealers who are experts that I had look at the unit are well, not so expert.
safari 28 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-08-2008, 05:10 PM   #12
4 Rivet Member
 
Currently Looking...
holland , Michigan
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 436
Images: 1
I just read that article by Andy T, and 4 inches is what really makes them handle great. This is very interestng indeed, and I wonder if it is a reason the haha is so popular to offset big distances from the bumber.
safari 28 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-09-2008, 06:14 AM   #13
4 Rivet Member
 
Airstreamer67's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 334
I concede that the closer to the bumper the better it is as a general principle. However, with my F250 I have found it possible to use a shank that is a bit longer than it could be, which allows me to open my tail gate and maneuver in the camp grounds better without pinching anything. I have never had any hint of crosswind instability or any problems with passing 18-wheelers, etc. Of course, this is the advantage of having a trailer that is very stable to begin with and a heavy tow vehicle. Nothing marginal there.

And I use the dreaded friction sway bars to boot, but I do have an AirSafe hitch, which is buttery smooth for both the tow vehicle and the trailer compared to solid hitches.

Each rig must be evaluated on its own, and marginal ones have to rig the particulars differently than those which allow leeway in the adjustments and equipment. Such principles apply to many things in life.

So many choices.
Airstreamer67 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-09-2008, 11:22 AM   #14
ProPride Industries, Inc.
Commercial Member
 
Sean Woodruff's Avatar
 
Holly , MI
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 642
Quote:
Originally Posted by safari 28
I just read that article by Andy T, and 4 inches is what really makes them handle great. This is very interestng indeed, and I wonder if it is a reason the haha is so popular to offset big distances from the bumber.
You're on the right track here Safari 28. When 4" makes such a difference you can only imagine what 52" does. That is the effective pivot point projection on the haha or 3P.
__________________
ProPride Hitch
"The Most Advanced Generation in Trailer Sway Elimination"
Holly, MI
Tu ne cede malis
Sean Woodruff is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-09-2008, 11:26 AM   #15
Rivet Master
 
ScottW's Avatar
 
2007 30' Classic
Hernando , Mississippi
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 759
Images: 2
My ball is 12" from the bumper. This is mounted on a crew cab, long bed TV. I've had no problems.
__________________
Rgds,
Scott
Air 16426

Fully retired now!
Remember:
Never start anything before noon and always plan on being finished by 5.
I will never HAVE to be anywhere ever again!
ScottW is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-09-2008, 03:28 PM   #16
4 Rivet Member
 
bertro's Avatar
 
1971 23' Safari
Groveport , Ohio
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 279
Images: 29
I redrilled mine, I shorted it up 5 1/4" and It made towing alot more stable.
bertro is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-10-2008, 08:57 PM   #17
4 Rivet Member
 
Currently Looking...
holland , Michigan
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 436
Images: 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sean Woodruff
You're on the right track here Safari 28. When 4" makes such a difference you can only imagine what 52" does. That is the effective pivot point projection on the haha or 3P.
Interesting and the past 2 days was a good test. Ran from Banning through the high winds of PALM SPRINGS stayed on BLM land in Quartzite and wound up wth 70 gallons of combined grey and black water behind the axles all the way to APACHE JUNCTION.I only have one tank, Not seperate grey and black. I learned a long time ago not to tow with that puppy full. Let me tell you that would have been a challenge with 14.75 from the bumper. At 11.75 much more stable, also, the f150 was flexing even more on rough roads and the rear suspension had even more travel. Much smoother ride as well. Some reduction in turning radius but slight indeed. I woud like to go shorter but the shank would have to be modified big time due to lower brace. So Sean ,your product actually bring it in over 4 feet? Heading to Michigan(home) and we need to talk.
safari 28 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-11-2008, 09:20 AM   #18
ProPride Industries, Inc.
Commercial Member
 
Sean Woodruff's Avatar
 
Holly , MI
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 642
Quote:
Originally Posted by safari 28
So Sean ,your product actually bring it in over 4 feet? Heading to Michigan(home) and we need to talk.
It does. Through the links the pivot point is projected 52" forward. That is, anytime there is a force on the trailer the trailer will attempt to pivot around that forward point. Just give me a call any time. My cell is 810-962-0219.
__________________
ProPride Hitch
"The Most Advanced Generation in Trailer Sway Elimination"
Holly, MI
Tu ne cede malis
Sean Woodruff is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-12-2008, 05:25 PM   #19
Rivet Master
 
Road Ruler's Avatar
 
Currently Looking...
St. Catharines , South Western Ontario
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,367
Images: 38
By using a welded ball mount and redrilling the shank we have reduced the ball to bumper distance to 3 1/2".

Andy T. summed up the advantages of the shorter distances in a previous post...

QUOTE: Just to prove it to myself that it matters I once had a shank with two holes in it 3" appart so I could change the overhang without changing anything else. The wind effect was noticeably more and we lost 3 kph in the slalom. It also took a 3/8" bolt in the chain to get the same weight distribution.

Andy QUOTE:
__________________
Airstreams..... The best towing trailers on the planet!
Road Ruler is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Distance to items for sale tmartin904 Forum Admin, News and Member Account Info 2 11-09-2007 08:31 AM
Distance Between Axles joopkeizer Axles 3 11-04-2007 05:22 PM
Distance calculation in classifieds osp6179 Forum Admin, News and Member Account Info 3 07-11-2007 09:45 PM
First long distance tow... bobfowler Base Camp 1 11-26-2006 04:12 PM
Everyone Please Help put some distance into a very hard decision for us FireFighter Axles 16 10-20-2003 08:09 PM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:05 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.