Hayman Reese Tow hitch adjustment

Submitted: Saturday, Apr 22, 2006 at 13:32

ThreadID: 33144 Views:5190 Replies:9 FollowUps:4

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cobes

Hi all,
Just wondering if it is legal or advisable to insert your hitch upside down to obtain a higher towing hitch level?

Thanks
Chris.

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Reply By: Member - TonyG (Qld) - Saturday, Apr 22, 2006 at 13:46

Saturday, Apr 22, 2006 at 13:46

Hi Cobes,

I don't see why it would be illiegal.

I have done exactly the same thing to allow my trailer to sit level with the car

Thanks

TonyG

AnswerID: 168459

Reply By: Member - Nick (Kununurra) - Saturday, Apr 22, 2006 at 14:31

Saturday, Apr 22, 2006 at 14:31

Yep,we fit ours which ever way levels the trailer we're towing.

AnswerID: 168460

Reply By: V8Diesel - Saturday, Apr 22, 2006 at 14:57

Saturday, Apr 22, 2006 at 14:57

Wouldn't all your stuff fall out of the trailer?

AnswerID: 168462

Follow Up By: Mr Fawlty - Saturday, Apr 22, 2006 at 15:06

Saturday, Apr 22, 2006 at 15:06

I think he means turn just the tounge over ... not the whole trailer....PMSL Its NOT FRIDAY... HUMOUR IS ONLY ALLOWED ON FRIDAY....

FollowupID: 423790

Follow Up By: OLDMAGPIE - Saturday, Apr 22, 2006 at 16:32

Saturday, Apr 22, 2006 at 16:32

no but you'd need bigger wheels ha cheers

FollowupID: 423796

Reply By: shepo - Saturday, Apr 22, 2006 at 16:36

Saturday, Apr 22, 2006 at 16:36

hi cobes, iam sure it can be done legally but it has a lower load carrying ability good luck

AnswerID: 168467

Follow Up By: turbopete - Saturday, Apr 22, 2006 at 17:07

Saturday, Apr 22, 2006 at 17:07

"but it has a lower load carring ability" Now i know the load is lower cause i turned the tongue over so how does that effect the load carrying ability is still joking hahahahahah

FollowupID: 423804

Reply By: Alloy c/t - Saturday, Apr 22, 2006 at 17:10

Saturday, Apr 22, 2006 at 17:10

In our Toyota Cruiser handbook 2 towing weights are given , bar upermost allows 2500kg ,bar upside down allows only 750kg ..has to do with angle of weld vs strain ,,seem to remember that Ford had a major recall of their factory fit hayman hitches inserts a few years ago about stress fractures caused by overload when insert upside down /rightway up.

AnswerID: 168472

Follow Up By: Kiwi Kia - Saturday, Apr 22, 2006 at 18:18

Saturday, Apr 22, 2006 at 18:18

Well, thats interesting !

I can't see why the angle should be so critical. Going over bumps, crossing footpaths etc. even just bouncing around on a rough road will constantly change the hitch angle. Different makes of vehicles have different hitch heights anyway.
The reciever welds do not change and the tongue is usually either a straight one piece box section or a heavy bit of flat metal with a couple of bends (swan neck) welded onto a straight box section.

Anyone else got a comment on Ford's difference in towing weights ?

FollowupID: 423818

Reply By: Muddy doe (SA) - Saturday, Apr 22, 2006 at 19:00

Saturday, Apr 22, 2006 at 19:00

Just went and got the Toyota tow tongue from the Prado.

It has a label that shows Max Braked 2500kg Max unbraked 750kg. It then has a picture of the tongue with ball in both positions (trying to keep it clean here!) with a max downward ball weight if 250kg in each case. Nowhere does it mention any difference in capacity if you invert the tongue to change the ball height.

Cheers
Muddy

AnswerID: 168482

Reply By: roofscooter2 - Saturday, Apr 22, 2006 at 19:25

Saturday, Apr 22, 2006 at 19:25

Hi Cobes & all other's , i have a motor home & had to get towbar specialy certified & the Certifier told me to use the tongue either way but said naught about it reducing the towing weight or any thing else, Bob.

AnswerID: 168488

Reply By: cobes - Saturday, Apr 22, 2006 at 22:51

Saturday, Apr 22, 2006 at 22:51

Hi all thanks for all of your comments.
I didn't think that there would be a problem although i now feel more comfortable after all of your feedback and comments.

Thanks to all who responded to my question.

Cheers
Chris.

AnswerID: 168516

Reply By: Geoff M (Newcastle, NSW) - Monday, Apr 24, 2006 at 18:11

Monday, Apr 24, 2006 at 18:11

Hi Cobes,
Don't know if it's legal but hey here's another thing you can do after you turn the Hayman Reece tongue upside down. Make a 7 wheeled vehicle!!

Geoff.