View Full Version : hitch height
rodltg2
03-16-2006, 09:09 PM
ok eastie i know you know this!
now that my truck is lefted my drop hitch may be to high. whats the proper height from the ground to the top of the ball? im at 23" now
michael freeman
03-16-2006, 09:20 PM
ok eastie i know you know this!
now that my truck is lefted my drop hitch may be to high. whats the proper height from the ground to the top of the ball? im at 23" now
I think it should be 18-20 inches from the ground to the top of the ball if I remember correctly.
Maristar210
03-16-2006, 09:26 PM
ok eastie i know you know this!
now that my truck is lefted my drop hitch may be to high. whats the proper height from the ground to the top of the ball? im at 23" now
Since your truck is now off center and "Lefted" I am not sure. Although I would suggest the boat be on slight upward angle when level and placed on the hitch whatever that height might be, Lefted or not Lefted
Steve
rodltg2
03-16-2006, 09:36 PM
well it was also lifted. :D
Andyg
03-16-2006, 09:47 PM
According to the Mastercraft trailer manual they recommend 18-20 inches. That based on some NMMA guideline, what ever NMMA is.
rodltg2
03-16-2006, 09:49 PM
looks like 23" may be a little high. it was a little low before.
TMCNo1
03-16-2006, 09:51 PM
According to the Mastercraft trailer manual they recommend 18-20 inches. That based on some NMMA guideline, what ever NMMA is.
National Marine Manufacturers Association.
erkoehler
03-16-2006, 09:58 PM
Well, who knows with those Malibu's,,,,,,
TMCNo1
03-16-2006, 10:02 PM
According to MC's trailer shop foreman, the recommended ball height from the ground to the top of the ball as shown under your trailer specifications in your MC Owners Manual is set up, so when the boat and trailer is hitched to your tow vehicle on level ground, the boat is sitting level on the trailer just as it would sit in the water at rest. My '89 trailer rails run down hill, but the boat is level with a ball height at 18" just as recommended for my trailer.
shepherd
03-16-2006, 11:37 PM
According to MC's trailer shop foreman, the recommended ball height from the ground to the top of the ball as shown under your trailer specifications in your MC Owners Manual is set up, so when the boat and trailer is hitched to your tow vehicle on level ground, the boat is sitting level on the trailer just as it would sit in the water at rest. My '89 trailer rails run down hill, but the boat is level with a ball height at 18" just as recommended for my trailer.
Where do you check the level on the boat? On the front deck? Gunwhale? Swim platform?
erkoehler
03-16-2006, 11:39 PM
On the floor of the boat.....I check both sides of the engine compartment.
michael freeman
03-17-2006, 08:17 AM
well it was also lifted. :D
What did you do to lift your trailer?
I was curious because I believe my new boat trailer may hit the wheels they put on the back of the trailer, when I back onto my driveway from the street.
SteveO
03-17-2006, 08:29 AM
On the floor of the boat.....I check both sides of the engine compartment.
Your kidding right? Is this something you do everytime? If I said it once, I'll say it a hundred times You guys can make people worry about sh!t we never thought of. I need another cup of coffee.
east tx skier
03-17-2006, 10:43 AM
What did you do to lift your trailer?
I was curious because I believe my new boat trailer may hit the wheels they put on the back of the trailer, when I back onto my driveway from the street.
Slight threadjack.
I put a two inch lift on mine two years ago for such reasons. Had a guy who builds trailers come to the house and put in custom fabricated steel blocks (looks like box tubing). I got the axle aligned and then he put a weld or something or other on them to hold them in place in case I ever droped it off a short ramp and dragged the axle bringing it back out. It's been great. I've not noticed any difference in towing or launching after the lift although I'm sure I've got to put the trailer a little further in.
TonyB
03-17-2006, 11:02 AM
Your kidding right? Is this something you do everytime? If I said it once, I'll say it a hundred times You guys can make people worry about sh!t we never thought of. I need another cup of coffee.
Bam! SteveO nails it at post #13.
M-Funf
03-17-2006, 11:16 AM
Bam! SteveO nails it at post #13.
+1.
High enough so it doesn't drag the tongue through a driveway
Low enough so it doesn't drag the tail through a driveway 8p
Worry not :cool:
east tx skier
03-17-2006, 11:28 AM
+1.
High enough so it doesn't drag the tongue through a driveway
I don't worry about that. That's what the spare tire is for. 8p
Your kidding right? Is this something you do everytime? If I said it once, I'll say it a hundred times You guys can make people worry about sh!t we never thought of. I need another cup of coffee.
now you guys have got me overthinking it all.
when I had brake issues, I too thought it was tongue height...
I still dont know if this theory is correct but if my trailer points downward to the ball, would it not be more apt to engage the brakes when I hit bumps in a level road etc...?
now you guys have got me overthinking it all.
when I had brake issues, I too thought it was tongue height...
I still dont know if this theory is correct but if my trailer points downward to the ball, would it not be more apt to engage the brakes when I hit bumps in a level road etc...?
A VERY small amount, in physics theory I suppose. I don't think you'd ever notice this though. Unless you have the trailer at 45 degree slope....
rick s.
03-17-2006, 01:46 PM
I would assume that the boat sits level on the trailer. So if you set the hitch height up so that the distance between the ground and the trailer frame were the same front-to-back, maybe slightly higher in the front, I think you would be ok.
threadjack...... Talking about hitch height..
I had the spring failure issue on my 00 190 trailer and didnt know it.
I kept thinking I was getting worse at trailer backing because I couldnt get the trailer to keep from dragging my driveway.
Finally crawled under and found the broken springs :eek:
dealer svc guy said, bringer on in... I did, 5 miles from home, completely lost the spring, buried the tire into the fenders, made a helluva mess .... shoulda seen my shoes....
TMCNo1
03-17-2006, 02:00 PM
Where do you check the level on the boat? On the front deck? Gunwhale? Swim platform?
I used a level in the area of the side windshield wings as a starting point. I realized my boat as well as most boats have somewhat of a bow in the rubrail, but usually the base rail of the windshield side wing is flat and is usually level with the water on most boats. Step back away from the side of the boat and tow vehicle about 40' when it's hitched to the tow vehicle and it will be obvious if it's level or not just as a guide.
Footin
03-17-2006, 02:04 PM
I set the level on the trailer frame. I want the trailer level, not the boat.
Am I wrong?
east tx skier
03-17-2006, 02:13 PM
shoulda seen my shoes....
What'll it be, Fletch!?!
What'll it be, Fletch!?!
Hey, it's your beach........
east tx skier
03-17-2006, 02:18 PM
I don't even like the beach.
NSXBill
03-17-2006, 02:47 PM
I set the level on the trailer frame. I want the trailer level, not the boat.
Am I wrong?
Your right. The truck and boat should be loaded as you would when you tow, then make sure the TRAILER is relatively level. Adjust with the various offset hitches available. You may be able to flip the one you have upside-down and re-mount the ball.
TMCNo1
03-17-2006, 03:26 PM
On the floor of the boat.....I check both sides of the engine compartment.
ERK, the boat floor is good, never crossed my mind, what mind? :rolleyes: thanks!
TMCNo1
03-17-2006, 03:38 PM
Slight threadjack.
I put a two inch lift on mine two years ago for such reasons. Had a guy who builds trailers come to the house and put in custom fabricated steel blocks (looks like box tubing). I got the axle aligned and then he put a weld or something or other on them to hold them in place in case I ever droped it off a short ramp and dragged the axle bringing it back out. It's been great. I've not noticed any difference in towing or launching after the lift although I'm sure I've got to put the trailer a little further in.
Doug, raised mine a few years back 1.5" by replacing the rear spring shackles with ones 1.5" longer and increasing the shackle thickness by 1/16". Went 1 tire size up and it cured a tire rub, plus I had a bad squeek in the springs and it was where the rear spring looped the shackle bolt and was rubbing the upper shackle bracket. All gone now and the axle stopped bottom out in serious dips in the road.
TMCNo1
03-17-2006, 03:42 PM
Your kidding right? Is this something you do everytime? If I said it once, I'll say it a hundred times You guys can make people worry about sh!t we never thought of. I need another cup of coffee.
Heck, someone's has got to think up all this stuff and besides I'm out of coffee! :confused: :D :rolleyes: