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02-22-2017, 10:38 PM
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#1
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Rivet Master
2013 31' Classic
billings
, Montana
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,570
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Airstream going up hill
I have a 2013 31' classic, with 16" michelins , therefore the top of ball should be at 19 1/2 inches according to my owners manual. My 07 2500 ram's ball was at 20"... Purchased a 2017 2500 ram with a ball height of 21 7/8". The new Reese hitch is lower than the old one but not enough..I am thinking of installing a dexter lift kit on my as. That would raise it 2 7/8" to 22 3/8". With the ram at 21 7/8" the trailer would be down 1/2", instead of being 2 3/8" higher. The extra 2 7/8" would be good when moving thru some of the dips, such as in some fuel stops.
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02-23-2017, 04:56 AM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2014 25' Flying Cloud
Cuddebackville
, New York
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 4,333
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Just buy a new stinger with an adjustable drop.
__________________
2014 25' Flying Cloud Rear Twin
2019 Ford Expedition Platinum
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02-23-2017, 06:04 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
St. Catharines
, South Western Ontario
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,367
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Yes, keep it simple and just get the ball height right. Airstreams tow best being level or slightly nose down.
__________________
Airstreams..... The best towing trailers on the planet!
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02-23-2017, 06:16 AM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2013 31' Classic
billings
, Montana
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,570
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wayne&Sam
Just buy a new stinger with an adjustable drop.
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Top of receiver on 07 was 22" , new one is 24", bought new 2 1/2" drop hitch, adjustable, and low as there is, still too short....
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02-23-2017, 06:40 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1994 30' Excella
alexandria
, Kentucky
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,310
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The lift kit would probably work well and would help with dragging the rear of the trailer. The only reason I wouldn't want to do it as it will throw off the riser step in height of the trailer. I think this would get old and be tougher on the knees.
Idea 1: Install an aftermarket or custom receiver on the truck that may sit lower.
Idea 2: Have a welder modify the hitch you have and just weld another receiver tube below the existing one.
Here is a picture of a Curt hitch that hangs below the existing hitch.
http://www.curtmfg.com/part/15409
Or maybe a 20k Superhitch
http://www.torklift.com/index.php/pr...h-original-20k
__________________
Steve, Christy, Anna and Phoebe (Border Collie)
1994 Classic 30'11" Excella - rear twin
2009 Dodge 2500, 6 Speed Auto, CTD, Quad Cab, Short Bed
Hensley Arrow hitch with adjustable stinger
WBCCI # 3072
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02-23-2017, 06:40 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1986 31' Sovereign
Miami
, Florida
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,137
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Look at the GenY hitch adapters. My new Titan was 2 1/2" higher than the old one. Bought the three position GenY and solved the problem.
__________________
Sorta new (usually dirty) Nissan Titan XD (hardly paid for)
Middle-aged Safari SE
Young, lovely bride
Dismissive cat
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02-23-2017, 07:44 PM
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#7
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3 Rivet Member
1990 34' Limited
2013 27' FB International
Conroe
, Texas
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 208
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tjdonahoe
I have a 2013 31' classic, with 16" michelins , therefore the top of ball should be at 19 1/2 inches according to my owners manual. My 07 2500 ram's ball was at 20"... Purchased a 2017 2500 ram with a ball height of 21 7/8". The new Reese hitch is lower than the old one but not enough..I am thinking of installing a dexter lift kit on my as. That would raise it 2 7/8" to 22 3/8". With the ram at 21 7/8" the trailer would be down 1/2", instead of being 2 3/8" higher. The extra 2 7/8" would be good when moving thru some of the dips, such as in some fuel stops.
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I'm interested in the dexter lift kit myself. As far as the hitch why not get a adjustable receiver. Or am I missing the boat here.
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02-23-2017, 08:03 PM
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#8
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3 Rivet Member
2003 25' Safari
Riverside
, California
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 234
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Very simple you need to find a ball mount with more drop.My Ram is a 4x4 with a 3'' lift and 37" tall tires-my Safari sits level.Lifting your trailer takes away from the handling that was engineered in.
__________________
2003 25' Safari
2005 Ram 2500 4x4
1994 Ram 2500 4x4
2015 Toyota Tacoma trd 4x4
2000 Jeep Wrangler 4x4
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03-05-2017, 05:07 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2013 31' Classic
billings
, Montana
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,570
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I do have adjustable hitches, 2" and 2.5", I do like the 2.5" , as it is less sloppy. I did install the dexter 2 7/8" lift kit, not a hard job , as I do have a wire feed welder to weld a tang on some of the bolts to keep them from turning, torque on the 5/8 bolts is 130-140 ft lbs. The bottom step went from 6" to 9" from the ground. On the shop floor before the lift kit it was 16.25" from the bottom of frame to floor, it now is 19.25" at each corner, the ball height went from 20" to 23"...I towed it to a some what level lot to check my measurements, 25 miles round trip, all felt good, looked twice at the dip to get into the paved yard, oops, no worries, as it cleared by 2", before lift kit was installed, the trailer would have drug bottom, unless you could go across at a sharp angle. It is now down in front 1", I will check again in a different location, maybe when I get my axle alignment checked. If I decide I don't like the lift, I will take it off, this fat boy can fit under the trailer now, that is not a bad thing, either is no dragging when going through a dip....the top of the 16" tires are down from the top lip of wheel well opening...I think I am going to like it...
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