2020-21 Basecamp 20X hitch heights help

[Hn387]

Curious if any owners of a 2020 or 2021 Basecamp 20X can do me a huge favor.

I'm expecting delivery in July, and eventually I'll need to get a new hitch for this trailer. I'm looking to use an Andersen hitch, and I need to take some measurements to make sure I order the right kit. I've got the fitment guide attached if anyone has a chance to help out I'd really appreciate it!

Looks like these hitches are backordered a bit so I'd rather get this ordered sooner than later.

[BayouBiker]

In the manual online from the Airstream site the hitch top of ball height is listed at 18" for all basecamp models X or not. You'll want to go with the 1" guidance if you have a typical vehicle or truck and 1-1/2 to 2 inches if you have a 4x4 or off-road vehicle as the riding height is extended a bit and the springs are a bit more compliant. Closer to 1/2 inch for air suspension. I found ball height and whatnot to be a bit of a mystery to me when I was new. If you need more guidance tell me the top of your receiver square hole and vehicle type and I can walk you through this.

[Hn387]

Originally Posted by BayouBiker

In the manual online from the Airstream site the hitch top of ball height is listed at 18" for all basecamp models X or not. You'll want to go with the 1" guidance if you have a typical vehicle or truck and 1-1/2 to 2 inches if you have a 4x4 or off-road vehicle as the riding height is extended a bit and the springs are a bit more compliant. Closer to 1/2 inch for air suspension. I found ball height and whatnot to be a bit of a mystery to me when I was new. If you need more guidance tell me the top of your receiver square hole and vehicle type and I can walk you through this.

I saw that 18" figure, but I find it really hard to believe since the X adds a 3" lift on the axle. To me that means the hitch should be 3" higher if it's still level.

I'm running a GMC Canyon, and the top of the receiver sits at 17". From what I can tell, I should be ok with the 4 inch shank, because that'll give me up to 7.5" rise. Assuming 5" to make the hitch height 22", and 2" extra to keep it level. And even if the Basecamp is 18", that will still work.

The thing I'm a little more curious on is the portion below. If the top of the hitch is 18" then this measurement could go either way.

"Measure the height from the ground to the
TOP of the trailer frame…
Less than 18″ and your frame size is 3″, 4″, 5″ or 6″ – you may need raised brackets.
Over 18″ and your frame size is 3″, 4″, 5″ or 6″ – use the 3″, 4″, 5″, 6″ brackets."

[stemcc]

I own the 2021 16' Basecamp X, and I too have the Andersen hitch (Love it by the way). When I measured the Basecamp hitch, I measured 18 1/2". I could have been off a half inch of course, but the setup is perfect after I ordered the regular 4" WD Rack. For the Brackets, I bought the 3", 4", 5", 6" configuration. The good thing for me was that my local Trailer place had the hitch in stock in November, so it was no issue if I had the wrong sizes (They offered to switch out if necessary if I hadn't torqued any bolts).
Some pictures of my setup (if they upload properly!)
It's pretty straight forward to remove the LP Cover, but you will need to do that to make the installation easy, and I found that there is only 1 location you can put the brackets. In my case, it also meant that I picked up a chain link connector for both sides so that I could get the chains enough slack to connect it all. Just my experience. Make sure if you pick up any chain link extensions they are heavy duty.

[stemcc]

Oh, and Hitch Height on the TV was 20 1/2" by the way.
Just one more shot of the setup when connected to the TV:

[BayouBiker]

With stemcc and your info looks like you're set. I'd figure the Airstream manual is correct and they do something with the frame to maintain the same ball height. The Andersen is a nice performing hitch. I'll leave it to you. have a great time camping!

[Hn387]

Thank you both for the help. I think that’s about all the information I needed.

[Will_Lew]

To stemccc: Your description and photos on installing the Andersen much appreciated. I am getting my 2021 BC on 7/21. Will be installing the Andersen.

[girlpad]

Follow-up to this thread (which is great BTW). What was the chain size you chose for your setup? Per the Fitment guide, I too am at 20" for the top of the receiver lip. With no air suspension on my 2020 Ford Explorer ST, I'm expecting 2" of droop from tongue weight. Looks like I'd be getting the same Andersen rig as StemCC ... no?

[Will_Lew]

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Update 8/13/21: My 2021 BC20X has the Demco coupler. Andersen does not recommend using their WDH with the Demco coupler. Appears issue is alike issue with some Atwood couplers. Does anyone have more info?

[Hn387]

Originally Posted by Will_Lew

------
Update 8/13/21: My 2021 BC20X has the Demco coupler. Andersen does not recommend using their WDH with the Demco coupler. Appears issue is alike issue with some Atwood couplers. Does anyone have more info?

Where are you hearing this from?

[Will_Lew]

Originally Posted by Hn387

Where are you hearing this from?

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...IAA4puQpjWyrYZ

[Rainer]

HN387,

Just curious why you need a weight distribution hitch at all. My tow vehicle for my 20X is a Honda Ridgeline. No problem at all with the factory hitch setup. No sway and very stable with a 20.5" hitch height.
Just asking.

[timshuwy]

It seems confusing to me what the height of the hitch is for the 20x. The 2022 manual shows that it is 20.5" vs 18 for the BC20... this is only a 2.5" difference... BUT, the total height of the BC20X is 3.5" different.

[PB_NB]

Originally Posted by Rainer

HN387,

Just curious why you need a weight distribution hitch at all. My tow vehicle for my 20X is a Honda Ridgeline. No problem at all with the factory hitch setup. No sway and very stable with a 20.5" hitch height.
Just asking.

Hi Rainer, I have a Ridgeline that I pull my Sport 22FB with. We have a tongue weight of 500 lbs. I pulled the trailer with my bumper hitch a few times and it did fine. Then I put a WDH on and the difference is amazing. I got rid of the rear squat of about 2 1/2” in the Ridgeline. And the steering felt much better. Also found that there is no swaying at all on the highway with all the traffic whizzing by. I don’t think I could go back to a bumper hitch.

Just offering some unsolicited feedback for what it’s worth.

[ThB]

Airstream support page says that Basecamp 20X hitch height is 22.75".

https://support.airstream.com/hc/en-...-hitch-height-

Thayne

[Mike Spicule]

Originally Posted by ThB

Airstream support page says that Basecamp 20X hitch height is 22.75".

https://support.airstream.com/hc/en-...-hitch-height-

Thayne

I wish this could be resolved by Airstream once and for all. ThB link above definitely says 22.75"
And the 2022 manual that came with my BC 20X says that it is 20.5"

https://www.airstream.com/wp-content...nual-Rev03.pdf
(Also the 2022 manual has different height for the BC20 at 18", same as the BC16 - rather than the 19.5" on the link above from ThB - which is also an official Airstream page.)

I just got mine and set it on the TV with the existing hitch height which is at 19.5" and def looks a bit low to the eyeball. But I think 22.75" is going to be looking to high eyeball. So i think I'm going with 20.5" as per the manual until I hear otherwise.

[Will_Lew]

Re height of coupler for 2021 BC20X -- prior to delivery I asked the dealership to measure various heights on trailer. For me the 22" value is very close. My TV is a Ram 1500 4WD w/ tow pkg. More info - in 2021 I made a x-country trip. I-5, I-40 -- in TN, north to NY area. Return via I-80. I did not use a WDH. My mph was 65. Ran into cross-winds and passing trucks - was not an issue.

[JA15830]

HNn387 - We had a Anderson for our 20X. I didn't get it until after we put about 1500 miles on it. The difference is profound. Sway was never much of a problem, but the bounce reduction was amazing. Our tow vehicle is a F150 Supercab. The four inch drop/rise was fine. Your Ridgeline would have to be very low or high to need the 8 inch. As for all those people that say you don't need a WD hitch for a Basecamp - they are technically correct, but having the WD hitch makes towing much less stressful. Installing it is a breeze, but take off the propane cover. You shouldn't have to make any modifications to the cover.

[Hn387]

Whoops, never updated this. I've had the hitch installed now for awhile and it works well.

RE: needing it or not, I have a '17 Colorado and I agree you don't NEED a weight distribution hitch. But having gone on a trip with and without, it makes a fairly significant difference in terms of comfort while driving.

There wasn't much sway to begin with but still none with the Andersen (these trailers seem a bit front heavy so didn't seem to be a problem). And it gets rid of most of the rear squat on my truck. Overall I think a good idea to have.