Trailer ball height

[voltzwgn]

I'm new to all this trailer stuff and it hit me last evening that there is probably a best practice for ball height. Part of this became noticeable as i picked up a new tow vehicle over the weekend. So I'm moving from a Hyundai Santa Fe to a Chevy Tahoe so a bit of a difference in how high the ball sits. So what is the desired height of the ball? Would I use the trailer rails and want them level? Make the ball higher or lower? At this point I could flip the receiver over to get some adjustment or maybe i need to go out and pick up a new one.

thanks

[kmclemore]

Best practice is for the trailer to be basically level and the hitch not scraping the ground.

[voltzwgn]

thanks, I'm hoping it's as easy as flipping over the receiver and remounting the ball.

[Russ]

You may get lucky with the height.

I've adopted Kevin's idea of drilling a hole through the ball bolt and inserting a cotter pin after screwing the nut back on. This prevents it from ever coming loose and unscrewing itself. Ya gotta get that thing very tight.

[windypatrick]

250 ft/lbs torque for that size bolt. (big wrench! )

[Ormonddude]

I use this monster for my Mac trailer because they mounted the axle under the springs instead of on top when they replaced it (PO) I need to fix it however with this bad boy you can tow pretty much anything that uses a ball coupler
http://www.harborfreight.com/8-in-1-adj ... 95991.html

[jbousquin]

I'm new to all this trailer stuff and it hit me last evening that there is probably a best practice for ball height. Part of this became noticeable as i picked up a new tow vehicle over the weekend. So I'm moving from a Hyundai Santa Fe to a Chevy Tahoe so a bit of a difference in how high the ball sits. So what is the desired height of the ball? Would I use the trailer rails and want them level? Make the ball higher or lower? At this point I could flip the receiver over to get some adjustment or maybe i need to go out and pick up a new one.

thanks

Voltzwgn, check out this thread, a lot of good info here: http://www.macgregorsailors.com/forum/v ... ht#p240955

[Seapup]

I use this monster for my Mac trailer because they mounted the axle under the springs instead of on top when they replaced it (PO) I need to fix it however with this bad boy you can tow pretty much anything that uses a ball coupler
http://www.harborfreight.com/8-in-1-adj ... 95991.html

I use the exact same harbor freight one set to 11" of drop, and an additional 3" drop on the reciever from the frame. The ball is stil a bit high, (truck lifted on 38s) No need for a bow ladder though, just step from the bed onto the boat

[voltzwgn]

Thanks, for all the info I've leveled and measured and think flipping the receiver over I should be real close to having trailer rails level.

jbousquin, was wondering where you sail most or best spots around to sail? We were thinking of heading up to Scotts Flat or maybe Tahoe. Was also wondering how Suisun or Benicia might be. We went up to Folsom but it wasn't very consistent, winds seem to have been pretty light as of late right around here.

[Catigale]

....just went through this myself....coming back from Cuttyhunk my old trailer jack tube had fallen down and was now stuck and bent in the tube, too near the ground to trailer....

Luckily I had a 3 inch rise ball mount in the trunk which was a quick fix. The extra rise now let's me use a really nice jack I got from Defender on close out last year...

Point...make sure your jack still works for both mounting and unmounting your boat after you make changes to ball height...

[bscott]

18" to the top of the ball

Bob

[Catigale]

250 ft/lbs torque for that size bolt. (big wrench! )

Not just big wrench, but big vice too....I ended up having my local mechanic do this for me

[voltzwgn]

I dropped by Rack N road and they flipped it around for me, need to get a nice heavy vise setup for some of this stuff.

[Highlander]

Last time I checked I think my ball height was 29"

J

[bartmac]

I'm not checking under that kilt