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Old 02-22-2017, 10:38 PM   #1
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2013 31' Classic
billings , Montana
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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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Old 02-23-2017, 04:56 AM   #2
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Just buy a new stinger with an adjustable drop.
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Old 02-23-2017, 06:04 AM   #3
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Yes, keep it simple and just get the ball height right. Airstreams tow best being level or slightly nose down.
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Old 02-23-2017, 06:16 AM   #4
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Originally Posted by Wayne&Sam View Post
Just buy a new stinger with an adjustable drop.
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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Old 02-23-2017, 06:40 AM   #5
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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

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Old 02-23-2017, 06:40 AM   #6
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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.
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Old 02-23-2017, 07:44 PM   #7
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2013 27' FB International
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tjdonahoe View Post
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.
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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Old 02-23-2017, 08:03 PM   #8
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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.
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Old 03-05-2017, 05:07 PM   #9
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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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