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Old 03-31-2006, 12:09 PM   #1
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1979 31' Excella 500
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Specified ball height

The 1979 Airstream that I just bought has a specified ball height of 19 1/2" I am getting setup to tow it home Sunday. I have a tow bar which will allow me to adjust the ball height. Should I add an inch or 2 to allow for rear in sag on my TV or should I shoot for as close to 19 1/2" before I get there and let the WD do the rest of the work?
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Old 03-31-2006, 12:16 PM   #2
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leave one inch for spring sag on your tow vehicle.

you may find your new trailer is not at the specified height due to a number of reasons. the trailer axles may be a little tired and have sagged some.

level the trailer on a flat surface, measure it and add one inch. then set your tow vehicle to that number.

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Old 03-31-2006, 12:17 PM   #3
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also, recheck the tightness of your hitch hardware after a couple of miles. (as well as your trailer's lug nuts)

here is a tip, to tighten your ball turn the hitch 90 degrees in the reciever so you can stand on the wrench!

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Old 03-31-2006, 04:11 PM   #4
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Would that 19 1/2" be to the top of the ball or the base of the ball?
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Old 03-31-2006, 04:44 PM   #5
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top

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Old 03-31-2006, 04:52 PM   #6
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Yikes, the lowest I can get the bottom of my ball with the HD adjustable bar I have is 20". Hopefully she'll sag enough to get me in the ballpark.
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Old 03-31-2006, 05:27 PM   #7
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Before you spend lots of $$$$ for a new shank concider this. I had the same problem. When the ball mount was at the correct height I could only aline one bolt. The second had no bolt holes in the shank to align with. I assembled mine this way with only one bolt, adjusted the ball angle as needed, then took it off and to a welded who welded the thing up leaving the one bolt in place. Obviously it's no longer adjustable afterwards but a new shank was over $150.00!!!! Welded properly you'll not sacrifice safty .
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Old 03-31-2006, 05:32 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wacnstac
Yikes, the lowest I can get the bottom of my ball with the HD adjustable bar I have is 20". Hopefully she'll sag enough to get me in the ballpark.
you will most likely be fine for your trip home.

you can fine tune it from there.

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Old 03-31-2006, 06:16 PM   #9
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Thanks guys.
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Old 03-31-2006, 07:41 PM   #10
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Spring sag

If you want a more precise measurement, we need your tongue weight and type of TV. I have a chart for projecting this. Sag is a factor of both tongue weight and rear spring sag. Obviously, half ton trucks and SUV's will sag more than a 1 ton dually.

Or simply measure from the ground to the bottom of the hitch ball unloaded, then with the T/T attached, then compute the difference and adjust accordingly.
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Old 03-31-2006, 08:38 PM   #11
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TV is a 2003 expedition so I do expect some sag. Tongue weight on the trailer is supposed to be around 600lbs.
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Old 04-02-2006, 05:45 PM   #12
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Well I made it home today without incident. I tell you what, those WD hitches really make a difference. It felt smoother than when I tow my 6x10 trailer home full of wood.
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Old 04-02-2006, 05:48 PM   #13
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so, how close to level did you get it?

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Old 04-02-2006, 06:26 PM   #14
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Just curious

Lew-- we just purchased a new TV---2500 HD GMC--- & since you said you have a chart for calculating sag, I'm wondering what it says for our set-up. We have a 25' Safari w/ a tongue weight of 610# give or take alittle.
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Old 04-02-2006, 07:14 PM   #15
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It was very level without the WD. With the WD bars it was tilted a bit towards the back.
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Old 04-02-2006, 08:04 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WayWard Wind
Lew-- we just purchased a new TV---2500 HD GMC--- & since you said you have a chart for calculating sag, I'm wondering what it says for our set-up. We have a 25' Safari w/ a tongue weight of 610# give or take alittle.
Best,
With the HD suspension of your rig, you should figure 1/8" sag per 100lb tongue weight . That should be about 3/4" sag. Half ton suspensions usually figure 1/4" per 100lb. and lighter weight vehicles like cars up to 1/2" per 100.
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