Towing Issue

[lachristopher]

I know this may sound stupid (you'll be getting a lot of those kind from me I fear), but getting ready to move into another spot in the rv part and if you've read our history know that I haven't pulled this rig anywhere and hubby isn't able to help -- we have a ram 3500 and it is quite high. When our salesman dropped the trailer here, he didn't use anything to drop the tongue down onto. It is raised as high as it can go and is still really quite a bit lower than the truck. What can I do please?

[gkainz]

Regular trailer (non-fifth wheel?) find some blocks to put under the tongue while its up as high as you can get it. Lower into the blocks.
Retract the jack all the way and put more blocks under the jack.
Extend the jack again onto the blocks and you should be able to lift the hitch high enough to hook up.

[davidjsimons]

Or you can use an automotive jack stand. Place the jack stand under the tongue. Lower the trailer onto the jack stand. Place a block under your landing leg, once it is off of the ground and then raise the tongue of the trailer back up off of the automotive jack stand. This is a very stable and safe method.


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[SteveC7010]

If you have SteadyFast or other angle stabilizers, loosen them.

The front stabilizers on the trailer need to be all the way down to do this.

Then retract the nose jack as far as you can and place some blocks under it. They need to be stable!!!! Use blocks that are 6"x"6 or larger Don't build the blocks all the way up to the tip of the jack - leave several inches of space.

Then lower the nose jack until it almost touches the blocks.

Retract the rear stabilizers all the way.

Drop the nose jack some more until it takes quite a bit of weight.

Retract the front stabilizers all the way. At this point the whole trailer should be on the tires and the nose jack. Everything else is retracted or removed or loosened up.

Now raise the nose with the nose jack until the bottom of the coupler is just a bit higher than the top of the ball.

Back the truck up to the ball and drop the coupler onto the ball. Secure it with the latch.
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Think of the trailer as a teeter-totter. If you lower the nose, you raise the rear end and vice versa. Consider where the weight is at any given time and you'll quickly figure out what to raise or lower when.
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[lachristopher]

The tongue is wound as high as the handle will allow and the 'pole' part of it is still on the ground. So can't get anything under it.

Don't have the ability (or maybe even the equipment) to jack it up and not sure what the third reply means at all. We're talking about a 60 year-old woman who has only driven Class A's. This is a travel trailer and I can fill and replace propane, keep the holding tanks almost empty and replace fuses. That's about it. My husband is still too ill to even go to his dialysis without me helping him get out the door. I need very plain layman's terms. I'm willing to attempt almost anything as long as it doesn't require me getting under the trailer, but I only have a few tools, new weight distribution, sway bar equipment and a ball to put on my truck (which I'm not sure how to do either).

It's a whole new ballgame, folks!

[Festus2]

From your previous posts several days ago, one of our members did come to your assistance I believe. We also suggested that you try to get some help from other people in the campground - manager, camping neighbor, etc.

There must be others in the campground who have travel trailers and who can help you. I know you said earlier that no one around you seemed very friendly but surely, given your predicament, there has to be a good Samaritan somewhere in the RV park.

If you try any of the suggestions above, make sure that your have placed chocks in front of and behind your trailer tires!! You do not want the trailer to be moving while trying to raise or lower it.

[GaryWT]

Is there anyone at the park, the owner or a worker that can help you out, maybe a friend or neighbor? Just a thought, it is always nice to have help.

[SlowPoke]

Having a 6 pack of Bud or similar, should be the only tool you need, offer a cold 6 pack to someone hanging around the campfire, and I'm sure they will be more than happy to help. Just don't let them have the booze, UNTIL AFTER you've gotten safe assistance. Also, after they leave, maybe have another neighbor check the setup for you as a second opinion...(may require a second 6 pack though...)


Good luck with it! and as Festus2 said, make sure those tires are chocked before letting anyone help!!

[SteveC7010]

There are dozens of videos on youtube showing how to hitch up or level or tow a travel trailer. If you'll view a few of them, you will learn the language and how to do all the tasks I described in my previous post.

[hankaye]

lachristopher, Howdy;

Originally Posted by lachristopher

The tongue is wound as high as the handle will allow and the 'pole' part of it is still on the ground. So can't get anything under it.

From the above quote, I take it that the tongue is sitting on the ground
or close to it. If that's the case, then extend the "pole" and raise the front
of the camper high enough to place something (jack stands, extend front
stabilizer jacks, whatever), to support the front of the camper while you
retract the "pole" and place (as recomended), a 6"X6"X12" block under the
"pole". You may also want to have a 4"X4"X12" block handy in case
the 6" block dosen't allow the camper's hitch to rest compleatly on the ball
on the hitch.

hank

[SAD]

A pic of how the RV is currently sitting would be helpful.

[Ken / Claudia]

It is really easy to care take of unless you have not done it. Do you have the members phone # that is going to help you move. If so phone him about that problem so he can come with the stuff needed to take care of it. If that help fell thru let us know.