silly ball height question.

AV8 · 11-09-2003, 12:55 PM

In the Airstream weight and ball height document, it lists the height of the ball as 19” for a 1969 overlander. I assume this measurement is from the ground to the top of the ball? Also the prospective seller says the ball is 2 5/16” does this sound right?

**john hd** · 11-09-2003, 01:06 PM

sounds correct on both counts.

however, be prepared for a lower hitch setup because of different tires. bias vs. radials, and drooping of the trailer suspention after 30 odd years.

you may want to have enough holes in your drawbar to drop a couple of inches from 19.

the only real way to be sure is to level the trailer and measure it. then set your ball height to allow for one inch of drop when you hook up.

john

**wahoonc** · 11-09-2003, 02:40 PM

AV8,
That is what mine was supposed to be

I ended up having to lower the ball on my truck by about 1" to make the WDH line up correctly. But once you have it set up, unless you make major changes to tires, suspension or tow vehicle you will be set to go. The ball is should be the 2-5/16" make sure you get the right one. There are 6000# balls out there, and while they might work for a while....Get the 10,000# one and be safe.

Aaron

AV8 · 11-09-2003, 02:55 PM

Thanks for informing this newbie, it is greatly appreciated.

Just to prove my naïveté, what is a weight distributing hitch? It is on the tow vehicle, the trailer or both. From the pictures of the trailer, it looks like my boat trailer, just a ball receiver. The empty weight of the trailer is ~4400 lbs. I don’t think it will be an issue to just pick it up with my stock factory hitch on my 92 Yukon XL (1/2 ton chassis), but before I head out to big sky country, upgrades might be called for? Again any help is appreciated here…

**john hd** · 11-09-2003, 03:13 PM

av8

this is a wd hitch....

and yes you will want one!

john

garry · 11-09-2003, 03:17 PM

A WDH allows some of the trailer weight be transfered to the front wheels of your Yukon. It is a good idea to have one along with the anti sway bar.

However; as a minimum you will need a brake controller.

garry

AV8 · 11-09-2003, 05:19 PM

Thanks for the help again, a picture is indeed…

The whole weight distribution hitch system is “aft” of the standard receiver. No modification to the receiver attached by the “factory” on the truck?

BTW if there is a basic faq or trailer towing for dummies web reference you recommend, I will happily go off and leave you nice folks alone…

**wahoonc** · 11-09-2003, 05:32 PM

AV8,
We all had to start somewhere!

You will see as many opinons on which hitch as there are people on this board

I will give you my opinion and which setup I happen to use. I am towing a 31' Sovereign with a loaded weight of around 6300# with a tongue weight of around 650#, these are guestimates until I actually measure them. I use a Prodigy Brake controller. I wish I had bought one sooner. I use the Equalizer WDH hitch. This is a combination weight distributing, sway control hitch. No modifications to the factory reciever/hitch should be required. Here are a couple check out for hitch information: www.reeseprod.com http://www.equalizerhitch.com/ http://www.nosway.com/ The thing I like about the Equalizer is there is only one basic hook up and you have hooked up both the WD and the Sway Control. I have also used Reese and it is a good product. I have never used the Hensley Arrow but a lot of people swear by it.

Aaron