|
03-24-2013, 08:10 PM
|
#1
|
New Member
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Fort pierce
, Florida
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 1
|
Hitch height
Hi, I'm planning to travel north tomorrow to pick up a 1972 31 ft Sovereign.
I plan to tow with 2006 F150 crew cab 5.4l. The truck came with the factory tow package and I'll install a brake control. My concern is that I've measured the height of the 2" receiver and it's 15.5 inches from the ground at center. The seller has agreed to sell me his hitch as the airstream has the factory sway/WD bars. The hitch, however has been used on a Chevy 3/4 ton with a receiver height of 20". It's not height adjustable, he had it fabricated in the 80's for his vehicle.
I'd like to use the hitch that's matched to the original system and thus have the stability that comes with it but I'm concerned about the height disparity. It will be a 1000 mile trip.
Is the 4-5 inch drop too much? I've towed all kinds of loads over the years, but not an Airstream.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
|
|
|
03-24-2013, 08:15 PM
|
#2
|
Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
Corona
, California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ger
Hi, I'm planning to travel north tomorrow to pick up a 1972 31 ft Sovereign.
I plan to tow with 2006 F150 crew cab 5.4l. The truck came with the factory tow package and I'll install a brake control. My concern is that I've measured the height of the 2" receiver and it's 15.5 inches from the ground at center. The seller has agreed to sell me his hitch as the airstream has the factory sway/WD bars. The hitch, however has been used on a Chevy 3/4 ton with a receiver height of 20". It's not height adjustable, he had it fabricated in the 80's for his vehicle.
I'd like to use the hitch that's matched to the original system and thus have the stability that comes with it but I'm concerned about the height disparity. It will be a 1000 mile trip.
Is the 4-5 inch drop too much? I've towed all kinds of loads over the years, but not an Airstream.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
|
Some of the mis-alignment is possibly caused by the rubber rods in the axles that have served their purpose and gone south.
The trailer should be as level as you can get it when towing it.
Andy
|
|
|
03-24-2013, 08:27 PM
|
#3
|
Rivet Master
1956 22' Flying Cloud
1953 32' Liner
1955 22' Safari
Valley View
, Texas
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,971
|
Look at it from the other way
Forget about where previous owner had things. Level the trailer and measure the height of the hitch cup. I would guess it is about 18 in. Now take your truck to a place like tractor supply and get an insert hitch which will place the top of the ball at that same height.....there are many off the shelf drops to pick from. Put a correct size ball on that "stinger" and your set. You should now be essentially level. Sway control is another subject. You bought a trailer from that guy....he should have GIVEN you the sway control.
__________________
"If it can't be reduced, reused, repaired, rebuilt, refurbished, refinished, resold, recycled or composted
then it should be restricted, redesigned or removed from production."
|
|
|
03-24-2013, 09:52 PM
|
#4
|
Moderator
2017 26' Flying Cloud
Alamo Heights
, Texas
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,523
|
There is no "Airstream factory hitch" that I know of. What the seller has is the hitch that was sold to him with the trailer by a dealer, and that seems to be a hit-or-miss proposition as far as proper setup and such. It's some other brand, and there's a good chance (if that brand is still in business) that they sell either an adjustable shank/head combination, or a fixed-drop head that's the right drop for your tow vehicle.
If not, you may be better off with an all new hitch that's not 40 years old.... there are a couple of decent choices in the $500ish range (and much less) and of course the two gold-standard PPP hitches in the 4-figure range.
__________________
— David
Zero Gravitas — 2017 Flying Cloud 26U | WBCCI# 15566
He has all of the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire. — Sir Winston Churchill
|
|
|
03-29-2013, 04:46 PM
|
#5
|
begorragirl
2017 25' Flying Cloud
Denville
, New Jersey
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,029
|
Hi, newbie to AS. My AS is in getting some work done. I have towed twice, home from purchase and to Rv service. I travel two ways with my 2008 chev suburban 1500, either loaded for festivals or empty for vacation. I was told to load my car with as much weight as possible to set the hitch. I have a reese with WD bars and a sway bar. My other trailer sat high, wheels were below the floor. Now I am 5" lower. The loaded suburban is level, the As is level but 5" below suburban. That puts the bottom of the reece hitch pretty close to the ground. Is all that ok? Will I drag in roadway driveways? Thanks. Sbb
|
|
|
03-29-2013, 04:52 PM
|
#6
|
begorragirl
2017 25' Flying Cloud
Denville
, New Jersey
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,029
|
Oh I forgot, will it make any difference in hitching and unhitching? I might not always be in a place where both car and trailer is level. It just seems low, but all is level. I change from festival level to vacation empty level by changing how many chain links I use. Thanks again. This is all confusing to me. Sbb
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|