Reese hitch

dlorahcof · 09-10-2003, 04:39 PM

OK-
I've read Interesting Reese hitch experience by 85MH325 and that thread was interesting.
Got me to thinking! Which my other half sez is dangerous!
Just got this 30' Classic S/O with GVWR of 9100#. Has a ball height of 19.75" according to AS.
Planning to tow with a Doge 3500 4x4 with a reciever height of 24.75" at top of inside of opening.
Looking at Hi Perf Reese DC with 12OO# bars and a 6" DROP 14" LENGTH drawbar.
Is this overkill?
Any thoughts?
Gotta write a check soon.

thanks

85MH325 · 09-10-2003, 06:19 PM

Hi, dlorahcof.

I think you're proposing nearly the same setup as I now have, the 12k lb hi-perf draw bar, but I have 1000lb bars. You'll need the 1200 pounders with the slide-out I'd expect...

Just make sure that the top of your hitch ball will fall into the 19" range when mounted, as I doubt you'll experience too much rear-end 'squat' when you put the tongue on it.

Other than that, I'd think you'd be right in the ballpark, and you've certainly got a heavy enough truck. No such thing as overkill IMHO.

Roger

dlorahcof · 09-10-2003, 08:36 PM

Thanks for the feedback.
I couldn't find 1M bars on the Reese site. They went from 8 to 12 so I thought the 12 would have to do with 9 to 1M on the ball.
I hope the haevier bar will not cause too harsh a ride for the trailer.
What i'm having difficultly with now is how far below the reciever to drop the ball. I guess to put the top of the ball at the 19" or so height as you said, I would have to drop it about 5".
I borrowed a head from a guy that tows car trailers to get it home and it towed greatand level on the ball at 45 -50. Guess its a matter of playing with the adjustment once loaded.

deblue · 09-13-2003, 05:11 PM

I have a Reese hitch, it not in very good condition, but neither was my 30 ft a/s . The hitch broke and the trailer left the tow vehicle. It was a Reese part number 54917, 12,000 lb with a 1200 tongue weight rating. Passing truck hit big wind, the ride was on. Reese hitch broke at 90 degree to the left.

ust purchase new a/s 30 ft installed Hensley Arrow, on this trailer, no more dual cam Reese for me, they seem to be weak.