Blue Ox receiver advice

[Big_Gar]

I have recently purchased a 2016 23FB Flying Cloud. Before we purchased it we had an airstream dealer put a Blue Ox Sway Pro 1000 with the 7 hole 9in reciever on my truck. We told them what trailer we were goin to pick up. The receiver is in the drop (down position) and the ball is attached to the bottom two holes. This still leaves quite an upward tilt to the trailer (hitch end high). With trailer level the bottom of the hitch is 15 inches off the pavement. The top of the ball is 21.25 inches off the pavement. I have 11.75 inches between the pavement and the bottom of the drop receiver. My TV is a 2012 Chevy Silverado 1500 (regular cab with 8' box) with a Z85 heavy duty suspension and the Z82 HD trailering equip pkg. This 2016 trailer has the 14 in. wheels. I am thinking that I need the 12 in 9 hole receiver with the ball attached to the botome 2 holes which will drop the whole thing by 2.5 inches. I know my loaded truck (measuremets given were for the unhitched empty truck) will drop a little bit. Nothing extraordiarily heavy is going in the truck box, just camping stuff, like 7gal. water, 40lb generator, small aircompressor, table, coeman stove, 25 lb bottle of propane, rug chairs, etc. (that should cover the heavey stuff.) Oh yes, I am having an aluminum topper installed on the 8 ft. box too. My question is, do you think I can achieve a more level tailer with this 12 in 9 hole BO drop receier? Thanks for your help. Gary.

[StuartsDad]

The 12" drop receiver should get you where you need to be and certainly the quickest and least expensive fix. Another option with additional benefits would be to install the Dexter axle spacers which will raise your trailer almost 3". That extra ground clearance comes in handy. If you install yourself, the kit is just north of $200.

[s1000pre]

I had a BlueOx, can you send me a photo.

[dbj216]

I had the same trouble with my new Blue Ox. The Airstream coupler is about 18" off the pavement to the center of the ball. Newer pickup are just bigger and have more ground clearance, thus a higher rear hitch. I have a Ford F350 single rear wheel short bed. I had to use a 12" drop ball mount to get the Blue Ox hitch head low enough. A guy wants to tow level or better a slightly nose down attitude.

David

[s1000pre]

I had the 7 hole as well, 1,000lb bars. 25FB & F150 the trailer was level. If yours is running high, it must be you HD suspension.

[Dkoelfgen]

Originally Posted by StuartsDad

The 12" drop receiver should get you where you need to be and certainly the quickest and least expensive fix. Another option with additional benefits would be to install the Dexter axle spacers which will raise your trailer almost 3". That extra ground clearance comes in handy. If you install yourself, the kit is just north of $200.

Where did you get the Dexter axle spacers, from Airstream?
Thanks

[LNBright]

My 1500 Sierra is an AT4, so it’s higher than a standard Sierra; I had Airstream put a Dexter lift on my camper, and am using a Blue Ox SwayPro: between the AT4 lift and the Dexter lift, everything fell into place and rides level.

[StuartsDad]

I ordered my Dexter Axle spacer kit from etrailer.com.
I have found their inventory, pricing, and shipping to be top notch.

[Big_Gar]

Many thanks for your photos and advice. I tried some photos but they did not reflect the reality of measurements. Whereas we like the idea of installing a lift kit and 15 in. wheels, for now we decided to just purchase 5 new Goodyear Endurance ST 215 R14 tires (just had them installed yesterday) to replace the GYM that were on the trailer. We also purchased the TST 507 TPMS! Maybe a lift kit in 4 years. I have ordered the 12 in. 9 hole receiver and figured it wouild give more flexibity once I have my TV fully loaded I can make final adjustments droping 1 or 2 holes if needed. Also when I change TV I will have more flexibility having the 7 and 9 hole options. Gary.

[dbj216]

You are wise to install new, better tires. I just put new tires on the Globe Trotter 21'. It is a single axle trailer so the axle and tires carry more load. The GVWR of the trailer is close to 4000 pounds, or 2000 per tires. I don't want wimpy tires carrying that load.

David