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Old 02-02-2013, 12:44 AM   #1
Cookies7276
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Height and hitch weight problems!!

Hi Guys,

I'm having a problem sorting a tow vehicle for my 2850rl passport trailer. Is anyone else having problems with the height of the hitch on the trailer being a lot higher than the tow vehicles tow ball,ending up with the trailer when lowered not being level?

Are you guys using purpose made (higher) tow balls on your tow vehicles?.
Also am I mad thinking I can tow this with my grand cherokee?? It has over 7000lbs towing capacity but is it too light to tow?

Any help would be great

Regards
Paul

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Old 02-02-2013, 12:59 AM   #2
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Originally Posted by Cookies7276 View Post
I'm having a problem sorting a tow vehicle for my 2850rl passport trailer. Is anyone else having problems with the height of the hitch on the trailer being a lot higher than the tow vehicles tow ball,ending up with the trailer when lowered not being level?

Are you guys using purpose made (higher) tow balls on your tow vehicles?
You just need a shank with a greater height:
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Old 02-02-2013, 01:25 PM   #3
Cookies7276
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Thanks for the reply, does this reduce the towing capacity of the tow vehicle though?

Regards

Paul
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Old 02-02-2013, 01:35 PM   #4
f6bits
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When I had my Grand, I had the ball pretty low, but the shank could be flipped the other way so it points up. Have you tried that?

And, yes, you're slightly (if not more) mad towing that trailer. Mine is about a foot shorter and was somewhat frightening to tow with my '06 GC in a heavy crosswind.
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Old 02-02-2013, 06:26 PM   #5
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Thanks for the reply, does this reduce the towing capacity of the tow vehicle though?
Adjusting the WD hitch doesn't change the towing capacity of the TV. I am not sure why you would even think this.

FWIW, I don't think the GC is a good tow vehicle for this application. (There's one sitting in my driveway so I think I am some what familiar with the car.) I suggest you read through the many posts here about tow vehicles and towing capacities. You are almost certainly well over your rear axle rating and payload rating with a trailer like that.
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Old 02-03-2013, 02:29 AM   #6
Cookies7276
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My grand cherokee has a pretty straight tongue on it so can't flip it over. Yes I think it's a tall order for the cherokee, I don't really understand why they give it such a large towing capacity and then build it so weak on the back axle. I could pimp it up with some air assist springs but I think it's more the weight of the vehicle.

I would be surprised if the extended shanks don't derate the vehicles braked towing capacity though as surely the whole weight of the trailer braking is not on the strongest part of the tow vehicle? Just an extended piece of metal do they certify these for loadings?

Regards
Paul
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Old 02-03-2013, 06:11 AM   #7
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Just an extended piece of metal do they certify these for loadings?
12,000# rating on the shank isn't enough?
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Old 02-06-2013, 11:18 PM   #8
Cookies7276
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Thanks for the reply Steve, do you have a photo showing the shank and tow ball on the back of your truck?

Cheers paul
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Old 02-07-2013, 12:05 AM   #9
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Thanks for the reply Steve, do you have a photo showing the shank and tow ball on the back of your truck?
This is my old truck with a very deep-drop/high-rise shank. My previous TT had a ball height of 15". The rear of the dually was really high and didn't squat under tongue weight so I switched from a much shorter shank to this one.


Just keep in mind that the shanks come in a variety of heights and as long as they are 2", they are pretty much interchangeable. The ball platform is a Reese.

Food for thought: You should study WD and sway control hitches and their accessories. www.reeseprod.com is a good place to start, but if your hitch is from another manufacturer, their site will likely be just as helpful.
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