Okay, This is probably a stupid question...

[Smilodon]

I have a newbie question regarding a trailer hitch. I was going to post it here, but thought "hey, I'll put it in the towing section".

Well, I'm not sure if that section just doesn't have the activity, or if my question is just too dumb, but haven't heard anything back.

Wondering if one of you who tow might take a stab at it. I'm thinking of sending the hitch back, but I ordered it for a trip July 4th week, so I would like to give it a shot if it isn't too much of a problem.

Link to the thread in the towing section

Any thoughts Tundra-folk?

(Yes, I'm probably violating ten different rules on here by cross-posting, but then again, I'm a dangerous, rebellious, James Dean type, at least in my own mind...)

[hit_em]

a 6" drop is alot. I have my tundra lifted 1 1/2" in the back and use a 1 1/2" drop for my car hauler and a 2" drop for my boat. I do this because the boat rides lower to the ground then my car hauler. I see you can adjust it so you shouldn't have a problem with the clearance, but remeber that your trucks going to squat when you put some weight on it making it even closer to the ground. all you can do is try it I guess, can it be returned after you try it?

[imapickn]

I prefer to have 2 different receiver inserts. Each with the proper amount of drop for the trailers, or bike rack I am using. At a cost of about 20.00 each, instead of a whopping $200.00 ... for that "adjustable" insert..
For that sort of money, I will forgo the shiny insert... But that's just me...

Don

[GGWOODY]

hmmm, I'd send it back. I have a 2" drop that I use for everything from the turd wagon to front-steering axle wagons. I leave it in all the time and only switch it out to a 2" drop open hitch for drop-pin towing (most front-steer axle wagons). Go out and get a solid stainless steel ball mount with a 1.5"-2" drop and whichever ball you need (prob 2".) I think that you'd be good to go with just using one of those. When it comes to hitches, I like simplicity. I'm always afraid that adjustables have too much that can go wrong when you add the stress of a trailer.

[Smilodon]

Thanks for the info. It is a real purdy piece of work, and I liked the built-in locks. I know it's on the pricey side, but I was thinking it would offer me some flexibility. If I have that with me, I can tow anything... that sort of thing.

But, if it grounds out driving around the mountains, it's not really worth it.

I'll need about a 4" drop with my bike trailer. It sits really low to make loading easier, and if it isn't hitched pretty close to level, it makes loading the bikes a real pain.

If an F-15 had a trailer hitch on it, this would be the one. Maybe I'll just keep it, go get a regular hitch for work, and hang this on the garage wall!

Any recommendations for something to replace it with that I'm likely to find in a chain store? My trip is soon, so I've pretty much lost the ability to mail-order, at least for this go around...

[semcoll]

I guess it all depends on where and how you drive and load your truck. Being a fellow FL person, and having a 2wd truck, I assume you won't be doing any radical off road stuff [as in rock crawling in Moab], where that crappy departure angle could cause you problems. That unit you bought looks great but is pricey, and is not something that you would leave in your receiver when not towing anyway, I assume, so why not have two conventional tongues with different drops for different trailers? That's what I do, and the total investment is around $50. Just my $.02, of course. - Gordon

[Smilodon]

Not planning any off-roading, short of a dirt-road or grass field. Where I have departure-angle problems is where I'm going, as opposed to where I'm coming from. We like to visit my parents in the Smoky mountains, and typically take a bike or two along.

There are some on road transitions that can have problems up there! I did measure in advance, but it was difficult to fully judge the problem until I tried the hitch in person.

I have no plans to leave the hitch in the receiver when not towing.

Yes, I know there are simpler/cheaper solutions, I was just guilty of getting something I thought was cool (and it is, really) for my cool new truck ...

But to be honest, when you have nothing, and add up all the locking pins, different drop hitches, balls, etc. of equivalent quality and load carrying capacity it isn't that hugely more expensive. But, it turns out not to be a good fit for me... Oh well.

I am planning on getting a Toyhauler within the next year or so, but my thought is that I would be getting some sort of anti-sway, weight-distribution sort of setup for that, and probably wouldn't be using this hitch for that, anyhow...

[semcoll]

Yeah, we've all been guilty of buying something we thought was really cool, then trying to make it fit our needs Now, if you had a 4WD with a lift, bigger tires, etc., that unit would be perfect.
We are headed up to Asheville/ mountains on friday for 10 days - I can't wait! -Gordon

[GGWOODY]

Originally Posted by Smilodon

Any recommendations for something to replace it with that I'm likely to find in a chain store? My trip is soon, so I've pretty much lost the ability to mail-order, at least for this go around...

I got my stainless steel 2" drop from Pep Boys...I like the SS, because I've had the hitch for 5 years and it still looks new, and, obviously, hasn't rusted out. I wanna say that it cost 39.99. Your best bet is to go to Tractor Supply Co.; they have a HUGE selection of towing gear...hell, you can even get a pindle hitch if you want

[RisingSun]

I use a 4" drop that keeps my 6x10 ATV trailer perfectly level.