Hitch question

Andre · #1 05-27-2005, 06:19 PM

What dorp do i need to pull a boat trailer and for it to be level?

PARAGON · #2 05-27-2005, 07:40 PM

Don't listen to H2gayperson.

First, some things need to be established. What size boat, type of trailer tongue, does it have surge brakes, etc.

If you have the rear air you don't need to expect the rear to sag any. If not, you need to think about how much tongue weight the trailer has.

You can't simply just go to walmart and get a hitch. Many of the hitches are designed for 5K pounds or less. You would be better served to go to an RV store and talk to them about it.

PARAGON · #3 05-27-2005, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by H2GuyPerson:
Firstly I'd suggest an adjustable if you have more than one.. But for a boat I'd go with a 5 1/4 or 3.5" at least. I run a 11" drop for my atv and my watercraft (jetski) trailer and a 5 1/4" for my 22' (tandem axle trailer) boat.

All this kind of depends on the trailer tho. But just buy from walmart or something cause its easy to return/switch stuff with them if you dont like the fit.

Another way is to actually measure.. Hmm theres an idea I know. Just set the trailer on its jack at the height you want it ride at.. subtract 5" from that and then figure the distance between that and your receiever and you'll have your drop. *smiles*

WTF is this measuring crap about?????? Subtract 5"??????

The drop is the difference between the bottom of the lip of the tongue to the top of the inside of the receiver on the truck.

Dude, don't give out information on things you don't know anything about.

NoMoGMPG · #4 05-27-2005, 08:06 PM

Paragon is right on, the amount of drop required is dependent on three factors:
1)Level height of the loaded trailer tonque to the ground
2)Tongue weight of the loaded trailer
3)Loaded height of the vehicle's platform hitch receiver, assuming you have the factory frame mounted hitch.

Towing a trailer safely should be a priority, not an afterthought. Have a professional assist you if you are unsure about anything. The Hummer you save may be mine.

Dave

PARAGON · #5 05-31-2005, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by H2GuyPerson:
My info was dead on sorry you dont know anything.. That was taken from a manual on towing, but Im the idiot.

WHat the hell does boat size and surge brakes have to do with ball height? WTF dude are you brain dead? And the brown noser under you too. hehe OMG man.

If your info was so dead on, why did you delete your posts? I am glad you admitted you were the idiot at least I'll feel better when I keep pointing that out.

For others that don't think they know it all. Surge brakes on a trailer require the tongue to mounted on top of the trailers frame. The average trailer that does not have surge brakes has the tonge mounted inline at the apex of the trailer frame. A surge trailer will require a shorter drop hitch than the same trailer if it didn't have surge brakes. That would be what surge brakes has to do with ball height.

Boat size goes to tonque weight which is a deciding factor if you have rear springs. A trailer with 750lb tongue weight is going to set the rear of the truck down lower than a trailer with a 100lb tongue weight. It's all really very simple, but H2GayPerson seems to be here only to be a ****head.

So again, don't listen to him.

DRTYF? (the imposter) · #6 05-31-2005, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PARAGON:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by H2GuyPerson:
My info was dead on sorry you dont know anything.. That was taken from a manual on towing, but Im the idiot.

WHat the hell does boat size and surge brakes have to do with ball height? WTF dude are you brain dead? And the brown noser under you too. hehe OMG man.

If your info was so dead on, why did you delete your posts? I am glad you admitted you were the idiot at least I'll feel better when I keep pointing that out.

For others that don't think they know it all. Surge brakes on a trailer require the tongue to mounted on top of the trailers frame. The average trailer that does not have surge brakes has the tonge mounted inline at the apex of the trailer frame. A surge trailer will require a shorter drop hitch than the same trailer if it didn't have surge brakes. That would be what surge brakes has to do with ball height.

Boat size goes to tonque weight which is a deciding factor if you have rear springs. A trailer with 750lb tongue weight is going to set the rear of the truck down lower than a trailer with a 100lb tongue weight. It's all really very simple, but H2GayPerson seems to be here only to be a ****head.

So again, don't listen to him. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

None of that effects the height of the ball on the truck you need to think about it for a sec there Captain Brilliant. What boat has over 1 or 200 lbs tongue weight? I can lift the front of my 22' boat trailer by hand man. Its like 150 lbs. Trailers are designed that way bro.

PARAGON · #7 05-31-2005, 06:47 PM

Sport, sorry your experience in life has been so short, small and insignificant. I've pulled many a boat with tongue weights in the 1,000lbs+ area. The heavier the boat the more tongue weight that's needed to keep the balance right. You can't just have all the weight on the trailer tires or it would fish-tail you all over the road.

Give up on this, you don't know your ass from a hole in the ground here.

DRTYF? (the imposter) · #8 05-31-2005, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PARAGON:
Sport, sorry your experience in life has been so short, small and insignificant. I've pulled many a boat with tongue weights in the 1,000lbs+ area. The heavier the boat the more tongue weight that's needed to keep the balance right. You can't just have all the weight on the trailer tires or it would fish-tail you all over the road.

Im sorry thats just not true. A boat is balanced on its axels not on the hitch. OMG already get a clue.

DRTYF? (the imposter) · #10 05-31-2005, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sfox:
Skippy,
You have gone fro being mildly annoying to down-right dangerous....please stick to threads were being an ******* won't cause someone else to possibly do something dangerous (i.e. DON"T GIVE ADVICE, YOU DON"T KNOW **** ABOUT THE H2)

S

What are you talking about?

PARAGON · #11 05-31-2005, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by H2GuyPerson:
Im sorry thats just not true. A boat is balanced on its axels not on the hitch. OMG already get a clue.

Skippy (sorry Seth, it fits too well), don't tell me something that I have a lot of experience with is not true and what does "balanced on the axles" have anything to do with what I said.

If a 14,000lb boat is "balanced" on it's axles then it is safe to assume that more weight is on the tongue than a 4,000lb boat. Rule of thumb for others who car. Boat trailers are designed to put around 10% of the total weight on tongue. H2Gay, can you do that math?

DRTYF? (the imposter) · #12 05-31-2005, 06:58 PM

Who here actually thinks boat trailers are balanced on the hitch and not the axles? Anyone?

DRTYF? (the imposter) · #14 05-31-2005, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sfox:
Since you aren't willing to consider that this guys trailer may have a heavier tongue-weight than you are used to dealing with, your advice may not be/isn't valid and should not be given or taken.....you don't know what you are talking about.

S

The question was generalized. Its not about that anymore anyway. hehe

KenP · #16 05-31-2005, 07:08 PM

http://www.sherline.com/lmbook.htm#refrn9

Single Axle: 10% minimum - 15% maximum
Tandem Axle: 9% - 15%
Travel Trailer: 11% - 12%
5th Wheel: 15% - 25%

http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/bo_maintenance_repair/art...3718_2277896,00.html

Trailer Tongue -- This is the next boat-trailer component that Greviskis talks about. It's the long piece (see photo, right) that goes all the way down the boat trailer, from the coupler on back. The perfect weight distribution for the trailer tongue should be eight percent of the total boat and trailer weight combined.

DRTYF? (the imposter) · #17 05-31-2005, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by KenP:
http://www.sherline.com/lmbook.htm#refrn9

Single Axle: 10% minimum - 15% maximum
Tandem Axle: 9% - 15%
Travel Trailer: 11% - 12%
5th Wheel: 15% - 25%

http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/bo_maintenance_repair/art...3718_2277896,00.html

Trailer Tongue -- This is the next boat-trailer component that Greviskis talks about. It's the long piece (see photo, right) that goes all the way down the boat trailer, from the coupler on back. The perfect weight distribution for the trailer tongue should be eight percent of the total boat and trailer weight combined.

Ok so whats the average trailerable boat weigh? 6000 lbs? So about 4 or 500 lbs tongue weight? My boat supposedly weighs 6500 lbs. I can lift the front by hand.. How is this possible?

Klaus · #18 05-31-2005, 07:11 PM

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<title>SILVERADO/SIERRA 2500HD AND 3500 BALL HITCH TRAILERING</title>
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SILVERADO/SIERRA 2500HD AND 3500
BALL HITCH TRAILERING
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<td style='padding:2.25pt 2.25pt 2.25pt 2.25pt'>

Weight-carrying hitch
limit: 7,500-lb. trailer with 1,000-lb. tongue weight. Weight-distributing
hitch and sway control required over 7,500-lb. trailer weight. The vehicle
owner is responsible for obtaining the hitch ball, a hitch of the proper
size, type and capacity, and other appropriate equipment required to safely
tow both the trailer and the load that will be towed. Ask your Chevrolet
dealer for advice about the proper towing equipment for your new vehicle.
<div align=center>
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padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
ENGINE: DURAMAX DIESEL 6600 V8

TRANSMISSION:
AUTOMATIC AND MANUAL
</td>
</tr>
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2500HD 2WD/4X4
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padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
MODEL
</td>
<td valign=bottom style='border:inset #999999 1.0pt;background:white;
padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
BOX LENGTH (FT.)
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<td valign=bottom style='border:inset #999999 1.0pt;background:white;
padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
MAX. TRAILER WEIGHT(1) (LBS.)
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<td valign=bottom style='border:inset #999999 1.0pt;background:white;
padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
REQUIRED AXLE RATIO
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</tr>
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<td valign=top style='border:inset #999999 1.0pt;background:white;
padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
RegularCab
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<td valign=top style='border:inset #999999 1.0pt;background:white;
padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
8
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<td valign=top style='border:inset #999999 1.0pt;background:white;
padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
12,000
</td>
<td valign=top style='border:inset #999999 1.0pt;background:white;
padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
3.73
</td>
</tr>
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padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
ExtendedCab
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<td valign=top style='border:inset #999999 1.0pt;background:white;
padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
6.5
</td>
<td valign=top style='border:inset #999999 1.0pt;background:white;
padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
12,000
</td>
<td valign=top style='border:inset #999999 1.0pt;background:white;
padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
3.73
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign=top style='border:inset #999999 1.0pt;background:white;
padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
8
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<td valign=top style='border:inset #999999 1.0pt;background:white;
padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
12,000
</td>
<td valign=top style='border:inset #999999 1.0pt;background:white;
padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
3.73
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td rowspan=2 valign=top style='border:inset #999999 1.0pt;background:white;
padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
CrewCab
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<td valign=top style='border:inset #999999 1.0pt;background:white;
padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
6.5
</td>
<td valign=top style='border:inset #999999 1.0pt;background:white;
padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
12,000
</td>
<td valign=top style='border:inset #999999 1.0pt;background:white;
padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
3.73
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign=top style='border:inset #999999 1.0pt;background:white;
padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
8
</td>
<td valign=top style='border:inset #999999 1.0pt;background:white;
padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
12,000
</td>
<td valign=top style='border:inset #999999 1.0pt;background:white;
padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
3.73
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan=4 style='border:inset #999999 1.0pt;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
3500 2WD/4X4
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign=bottom style='border:inset #999999 1.0pt;background:white;
padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
MODEL
</td>
<td valign=bottom style='border:inset #999999 1.0pt;background:white;
padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
BOX LENGTH (FT.)
</td>
<td valign=bottom style='border:inset #999999 1.0pt;background:white;
padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
MAX. TRAILER WEIGHT(1) (LBS.)
</td>
<td valign=bottom style='border:inset #999999 1.0pt;background:white;
padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
REQUIRED AXLE RATIO
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style='border:inset #999999 1.0pt;background:white;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
RegularCab
</td>
<td style='border:inset #999999 1.0pt;background:white;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
8
</td>
<td style='border:inset #999999 1.0pt;background:white;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
12,000
</td>
<td style='border:inset #999999 1.0pt;background:white;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
3.73
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style='border:inset #999999 1.0pt;background:white;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
ExtendedCab
</td>
<td style='border:inset #999999 1.0pt;background:white;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
8
</td>
<td style='border:inset #999999 1.0pt;background:white;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
12,000
</td>
<td style='border:inset #999999 1.0pt;background:white;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
3.73
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style='border:inset #999999 1.0pt;background:white;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
CrewCab
</td>
<td style='border:inset #999999 1.0pt;background:white;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
8
</td>
<td style='border:inset #999999 1.0pt;background:white;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
12,000
</td>
<td style='border:inset #999999 1.0pt;background:white;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
3.73
</td>
</tr>
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1 Maximum trailer weight
ratings are calculated assuming a base vehicle, except any option(s)
necessary to achieve the rating, plus driver. The weight of other optional
equipment, passengers and cargo required will reduce the maximum trailer
weight your vehicle can tow. See your Chevy Truck dealer for additional details.


NOTE: Trailer tongue weight should be 10
to 15 percent of total loaded trailer weight (up to 1,500 lbs.). Addition of
trailer tongue weight cannot cause vehicle weights to exceed Rear Gross Axle
Weight Rating (RGAWR) or Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). These ratings
can be found on the certification label located on the driver door or door
frame. Z82 Heavy-Duty Trailering Equipment Package includes trailer hitch
platform, trailer electrical connector and trailer brake control harness.



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KenP · #19 05-31-2005, 07:15 PM

Andre, this may help you. Then you could switch trailers and easily adjust the hitch. The pic is just one example.

http://www.hitchfinder.com/drawtite/...ts_special.htm

DRTYF? (the imposter) · #20 05-31-2005, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by KenP:
Andre, this may help you. Then you could switch trailers and easily adjust the hitch. The pic is just one example.

http://www.hitchfinder.com/drawtite/hitch_accessories/b...l_mounts_special.htm

That was my first recommendation and I still got flamed.

I like these:
http://www.hitchsolutions.com/rapidhitch.html

<img src=http://www.hitchsolutions.com/images/rapidhitch.jpg>

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