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Author Topic:   Proper trailer hitch

Sal A posted 07-21-2014 11:49 AM ET (US)
I have a new Subaru outback with a trailer hitch added. I have a 10 year old 150 Sport with the stock trailer. I only tow a few times a year, pretty much only 1 mile each way to the ramp to dunk and to haul out. I have not towed with it yet.
Visually, the hitch on the Outback is lower down than the hitch on my prior Silverado truck. My concern is that maybe, the boat when hitched currently, would pull up on the rear of the Outback.
Is there a different trailer hitch attachment I can get which elevates the ball? What would you advise?
Don SSDD posted 07-21-2014 12:34 PM ET (US)
Go to a trailer hitch place, you can buy the shafts which will add or drop the height of your ball. Just set the trailer tongue up on blocks to a level position and measure how much height you need.
Don
tedious posted 07-21-2014 12:37 PM ET (US)
Sal, you can get ball mounts with various amounts of drop and rise, including ones that are adjustable. Here's one:
http://www.amazon.com/Maxxtow-Towing-Products-70067-8-Position/dp/B008CE06ZA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405960370&sr=8-1&keywords=adjustable+rise+trailer+hitch
You don't need to worry about it pulling up on the hitch - or your trailer would be pointing skywards every time you unhook it. But it's best to have it level.
Tim
Jerry Townsend posted 07-21-2014 12:47 PM ET (US)
Sal - You can get an adjustable hitch which allows you to raise or lower the hitch on your vehicle. The trailer not being quite level is not a major concern as you are only towing your boat a short distance.
But, you don't have to worry about the trailer pulling up on your vehicle - as typically, there will be a load on the trailer tongue. Typically, you want about 5 - 10 % of the trailer weight on the tongue, which is transferred to the vehicle. This loading is important to provide stability to the trailer when towing.
Should there NOT be a load on the hitch, the boat and/or axle position should be moved as necessary to provide the downward load on the trailer tongue.
Hope and trust that you and your family have recovered, as possible, from the hurricane. --- Jerry/Idaho
Sal A posted 07-21-2014 10:18 PM ET (US)
Thanks fellas.
Jerry, it's an honor you took the time to post to help me. We are doing better, and thanks for the well wishes.
Chuck Tribolet posted 07-22-2014 05:59 AM ET (US)
The level trailer is primarily aesthetic. Especially with
your short tow, I wouldn't worry about it.
Since you need to raise the ball, you may be able to remove
the ball, flip the drawbar over, and reinstall the ball.
Zero cost.
Chuck
Jefecinco posted 07-22-2014 05:37 PM ET (US)
Upon purchasing a new truck I found the new hitch height to a bit higher. It was lucky for me that I was able to remove the ball from my slide-in piece, turn the slide-in upside down and reinstall the ball. The towing attitude was, once again, perfect.
Butch

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Author	Topic: Proper trailer hitch
Sal A	posted 07-21-2014 11:49 AM ET (US) I have a new Subaru outback with a trailer hitch added. I have a 10 year old 150 Sport with the stock trailer. I only tow a few times a year, pretty much only 1 mile each way to the ramp to dunk and to haul out. I have not towed with it yet. Visually, the hitch on the Outback is lower down than the hitch on my prior Silverado truck. My concern is that maybe, the boat when hitched currently, would pull up on the rear of the Outback. Is there a different trailer hitch attachment I can get which elevates the ball? What would you advise?
Don SSDD	posted 07-21-2014 12:34 PM ET (US) Go to a trailer hitch place, you can buy the shafts which will add or drop the height of your ball. Just set the trailer tongue up on blocks to a level position and measure how much height you need. Don
tedious	posted 07-21-2014 12:37 PM ET (US) Sal, you can get ball mounts with various amounts of drop and rise, including ones that are adjustable. Here's one: http://www.amazon.com/Maxxtow-Towing-Products-70067-8-Position/dp/B008CE06ZA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405960370&sr=8-1&keywords=adjustable+rise+trailer+hitch You don't need to worry about it pulling up on the hitch - or your trailer would be pointing skywards every time you unhook it. But it's best to have it level. Tim
Jerry Townsend	posted 07-21-2014 12:47 PM ET (US) Sal - You can get an adjustable hitch which allows you to raise or lower the hitch on your vehicle. The trailer not being quite level is not a major concern as you are only towing your boat a short distance. But, you don't have to worry about the trailer pulling up on your vehicle - as typically, there will be a load on the trailer tongue. Typically, you want about 5 - 10 % of the trailer weight on the tongue, which is transferred to the vehicle. This loading is important to provide stability to the trailer when towing. Should there NOT be a load on the hitch, the boat and/or axle position should be moved as necessary to provide the downward load on the trailer tongue. Hope and trust that you and your family have recovered, as possible, from the hurricane. --- Jerry/Idaho
Sal A	posted 07-21-2014 10:18 PM ET (US) Thanks fellas. Jerry, it's an honor you took the time to post to help me. We are doing better, and thanks for the well wishes.
Chuck Tribolet	posted 07-22-2014 05:59 AM ET (US) The level trailer is primarily aesthetic. Especially with your short tow, I wouldn't worry about it. Since you need to raise the ball, you may be able to remove the ball, flip the drawbar over, and reinstall the ball. Zero cost. Chuck
Jefecinco	posted 07-22-2014 05:37 PM ET (US) Upon purchasing a new truck I found the new hitch height to a bit higher. It was lucky for me that I was able to remove the ball from my slide-in piece, turn the slide-in upside down and reinstall the ball. The towing attitude was, once again, perfect. Butch