|
02-04-2019, 04:19 PM
|
#1
|
3 Rivet Member
2019 23' Flying Cloud
Waterford
, New York
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 150
|
Trail ball height
Just purchased a 23fd , i pick it up on Saturday and would like to set up my trailer hitch ahead of time. Does anyone know what i need to set the trailer ball height to?
Thanks
Larry
|
|
|
02-04-2019, 04:50 PM
|
#2
|
Retired.
Currently Looking...
.
, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
|
22.5"
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
|
|
|
02-04-2019, 05:21 PM
|
#3
|
Rivet Master
2000 25' Safari
Davidson County
, NC Highlands County, FL
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,493
|
There is no one specific starting point that always works because there are so many different types of vehicles with various axle spring types. Start with the ball height a couple inches higher than the trailer's specifications say the trailers' hitch height actually is (19" + 2" or 3" for yours), then expect some minor adjustment as you dial in the weight distribution tension.
The specs for your trailer are in section 4 in the Owners Manual>
https://www.airstream.com/wp-content...s-Manual-1.pdf
Parts Manual>
https://www.airstream.com/wp-content...s-book-342.pdf
You might want to save a copy of these for future reference.
__________________
Alan
2014 Silverado LTZ 1500 Crew Cab 5.3L maximum trailering package
|
|
|
02-04-2019, 06:00 PM
|
#4
|
3 Rivet Member
2019 23' Flying Cloud
Waterford
, New York
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 150
|
Thank you!
|
|
|
02-08-2019, 03:48 PM
|
#5
|
Rivet Master
2019 27' Globetrotter
McHenry
, Illinois
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 2,194
|
Agree with advice provided
Larry, I agree with the advice given so far. We had a VW Touareg and a 2018 FC 23FB with a Blue Ox SwayPro hitch and the ball height was 22”. Your mileage may vary depending on the suspension of your tow vehicle.
|
|
|
02-08-2019, 04:48 PM
|
#6
|
Rivet Master
2017 26' Flying Cloud
Tampa
, Florida
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 7,653
|
Well, I hate to be the odd man out, but I just looked at the coupler hight of the FC23 in the Airstream manual and they're all at 19".
Then:
Quote:
Now, measure from ground to the inside top of ball coupler. This figure is the hitch height. The hitch ball is then usually set 1/2 to 1 in. higher, according to the spring rate of your tow vehicle, to allow for it to settle when the trailer is hitched up.
|
So, according to Airstream, the ball height is 19.5-20".
On most shanks, the adjustment window is 1.25" so you may not hit it perfectly.
|
|
|
02-08-2019, 04:59 PM
|
#7
|
Rivet Master
2017 20' Flying Cloud
Williamson County
, Texas
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 813
|
Apparently the Airstream manual is (still) incorrect according to our dealer. Our manual shows 19" but trailer is closer to the 22.5" referenced above. We use weight distribution so end up with truck and trailer level and ball height around 22".
|
|
|
02-08-2019, 05:22 PM
|
#8
|
Retired.
Currently Looking...
.
, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mollysdad
Well, I hate to be the odd man out, but I just looked at the coupler hight of the FC23 in the Airstream manual and they're all at 19".
Then:
So, according to Airstream, the ball height is 19.5-20".
On most shanks, the adjustment window is 1.25" so you may not hit it perfectly.
|
The OP can do whatever they want, but if they follow your advice, the tongue will be 3" too low. I've installed hundreds of hitches, two of them on new 23' Airstreams today.
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
|
|
|
02-09-2019, 01:40 PM
|
#9
|
3 Rivet Member
2019 23' Flying Cloud
Waterford
, New York
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 150
|
22” Seamed to work well. I’m now officially an airstream owner and completed the trip home without incident. Thanks for the help all.
|
|
|
|
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 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|