towing height at hitch low on Colorado
Submitted: Wednesday, Jul 20, 2011 at 18:40
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gprs12
HI All,
new to this site and had a search but couldn't find an answer to my question.
I had recently bought a camper trailer that was supposed to be rated as "4WD" but the height between the wheel and
the arch was quite low.
the axle WAS on top of the leaf springs, so basically I flipped the axle around so that now it's below the leaf springs.
the height is now 100mm higher ( approx) but that now means that where the 4WD hitch connects to the towbar it is 100mm higher than the original level at the front.
I can't attach images, so I'll try with letters!
----------------before-----------------------
IIIIIIII
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII___IIIIIIIIIIIII
O O O
----------------after---------------
IIIIIII IIIIIIIII
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII__T O
O O
The trailer in the above diagram is supposed to be at an angle, pointing down at the tow point.
I have an "all angle" 4WD hitch (is that what it's called?)
my question is, is this o.k. to tow like this?
my wife and I are driving north west to the
birdsville races and then down the
birdsville track.
thanks for any help
Reply By: gprs12 - Wednesday, Jul 20, 2011 at 19:49
Wednesday, Jul 20, 2011 at 19:49
oops! that attempt at a diagram didn't come out....hopefully you all get my meaning
cheers
AnswerID:
460443
Reply By: willawa - Wednesday, Jul 20, 2011 at 20:12
Wednesday, Jul 20, 2011 at 20:12
Hayman reese have a number of hitches that may fix your problem.
good luck.
Ed
AnswerID:
460444
Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Wednesday, Jul 20, 2011 at 21:40
Wednesday, Jul 20, 2011 at 21:40
I have a Colorado and I think I know what you mean.
My camper is an offroad model and reasonably high.
I currently have a slight downward angle on the draw bar of the camper.
I have an adjustable Hayman Reese hitch receiver but it is as high as I can take it without compromising the clearance between the top of the coupling pin and the surface of the tailgate when lowered.
To get the set-up as level as possible, I am going to replace the 265/75/16 tyres on the trailer with 245/70/16 size to match the vehicle. Not only will this lower the trailer height a little, but it will give me identical wheel/tyre sizes to provide two spares of the same size.
As a general guide the coupling height should be within 3 inches higher or lower than the horizontal plane of the drawbar.
AnswerID:
460464
Reply By: Member - doug j - Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 12:55
Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 12:55
I recently bought new 19ft caravan with 2inch lift for that extra clearance and tow with Colorado. To stop the guess work, my local Hayman Reese dealer fitted and levelled calculating tow ball weight etc. That being said, I have a lot of satisfaction knowing it was done by the experts (of which I'm not) and get a good even tow. Only thing I need to be careful is opening tailgate. Good Travels
AnswerID:
460496
Reply By: gprs12 - Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 13:09
Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 13:09
Thanks for all your replies, you've been quite helpful.
I will see about getting an adjustable hitch ( currently about $180 on e-bay)
in the meantime, I'll just live with the pitch!
cheers
AnswerID:
460497
Follow Up By: moss - Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 22:45
Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 22:45
Hi gprs12
Try your local Auto parts or caravan parts place as H/Reese rec retail is $152, I paid $145 at local Auto1.
The adjustable hitch is quite a bit longer but does not really give a great deal of extra height.
The local stealer suggested turning the std hitch upside down to gain height. As it is a Holden hitch and my lights plug too short for the adjustable hitch, I did that and height is not too bad.
I will probably change tyre size on the trailer to match the new tug. The colorado is heaps better than my 60 series.
regards
David
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734244