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 03-24-2013, 08:10 PM   #1
Ger
New Member
 
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Fort pierce , Florida
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 1
Hitch height

Hi, I'm planning to travel north tomorrow to pick up a 1972 31 ft Sovereign.
I plan to tow with 2006 F150 crew cab 5.4l. The truck came with the factory tow package and I'll install a brake control. My concern is that I've measured the height of the 2" receiver and it's 15.5 inches from the ground at center. The seller has agreed to sell me his hitch as the airstream has the factory sway/WD bars. The hitch, however has been used on a Chevy 3/4 ton with a receiver height of 20". It's not height adjustable, he had it fabricated in the 80's for his vehicle.
I'd like to use the hitch that's matched to the original system and thus have the stability that comes with it but I'm concerned about the height disparity. It will be a 1000 mile trip.
Is the 4-5 inch drop too much? I've towed all kinds of loads over the years, but not an Airstream.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Ger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-24-2013, 08:15 PM   #2
Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
 
Inland RV Center, In's Avatar
 
Corona , California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
Images: 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ger View Post
Hi, I'm planning to travel north tomorrow to pick up a 1972 31 ft Sovereign.
I plan to tow with 2006 F150 crew cab 5.4l. The truck came with the factory tow package and I'll install a brake control. My concern is that I've measured the height of the 2" receiver and it's 15.5 inches from the ground at center. The seller has agreed to sell me his hitch as the airstream has the factory sway/WD bars. The hitch, however has been used on a Chevy 3/4 ton with a receiver height of 20". It's not height adjustable, he had it fabricated in the 80's for his vehicle.
I'd like to use the hitch that's matched to the original system and thus have the stability that comes with it but I'm concerned about the height disparity. It will be a 1000 mile trip.
Is the 4-5 inch drop too much? I've towed all kinds of loads over the years, but not an Airstream.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Some of the mis-alignment is possibly caused by the rubber rods in the axles that have served their purpose and gone south.

The trailer should be as level as you can get it when towing it.

Andy
__________________
Andy Rogozinski
Inland RV Center
Corona, CA
Inland RV Center, In is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-24-2013, 08:27 PM   #3
Rivet Master
 
Melody Ranch's Avatar
 
1956 22' Flying Cloud
1953 32' Liner
1955 22' Safari
Valley View , Texas
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,971
Images: 78
Send a message via Skype™ to Melody Ranch
Look at it from the other way

Forget about where previous owner had things. Level the trailer and measure the height of the hitch cup. I would guess it is about 18 in. Now take your truck to a place like tractor supply and get an insert hitch which will place the top of the ball at that same height.....there are many off the shelf drops to pick from. Put a correct size ball on that "stinger" and your set. You should now be essentially level. Sway control is another subject. You bought a trailer from that guy....he should have GIVEN you the sway control.
__________________
"If it can't be reduced, reused, repaired, rebuilt, refurbished, refinished, resold, recycled or composted
then it should be restricted, redesigned or removed from production."
Melody Ranch is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-24-2013, 09:52 PM   #4
Moderator
 
DKB_SATX's Avatar

 
2017 26' Flying Cloud
Alamo Heights , Texas
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,493
Images: 1
Blog Entries: 7
There is no "Airstream factory hitch" that I know of. What the seller has is the hitch that was sold to him with the trailer by a dealer, and that seems to be a hit-or-miss proposition as far as proper setup and such. It's some other brand, and there's a good chance (if that brand is still in business) that they sell either an adjustable shank/head combination, or a fixed-drop head that's the right drop for your tow vehicle.

If not, you may be better off with an all new hitch that's not 40 years old.... there are a couple of decent choices in the $500ish range (and much less) and of course the two gold-standard PPP hitches in the 4-figure range.
__________________
— David

Zero Gravitas — 2017 Flying Cloud 26U | WBCCI# 15566

He has all of the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire. — Sir Winston Churchill
DKB_SATX is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2013, 04:46 PM   #5
Sbb
begorragirl
 
Sbb's Avatar
 
2017 25' Flying Cloud
Denville , New Jersey
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,029
Images: 2
Hi, newbie to AS. My AS is in getting some work done. I have towed twice, home from purchase and to Rv service. I travel two ways with my 2008 chev suburban 1500, either loaded for festivals or empty for vacation. I was told to load my car with as much weight as possible to set the hitch. I have a reese with WD bars and a sway bar. My other trailer sat high, wheels were below the floor. Now I am 5" lower. The loaded suburban is level, the As is level but 5" below suburban. That puts the bottom of the reece hitch pretty close to the ground. Is all that ok? Will I drag in roadway driveways? Thanks. Sbb
Sbb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2013, 04:52 PM   #6
Sbb
begorragirl
 
Sbb's Avatar
 
2017 25' Flying Cloud
Denville , New Jersey
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,029
Images: 2
Oh I forgot, will it make any difference in hitching and unhitching? I might not always be in a place where both car and trailer is level. It just seems low, but all is level. I change from festival level to vacation empty level by changing how many chain links I use. Thanks again. This is all confusing to me. Sbb
Sbb 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



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 12:53 AM.


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