Tow Vehicle Hitch Height

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   Having the trailer level is best. Having some amount of rear tow vehicle sag is OK. I would allow a little trailer tongue drop is you can't find a tow bar that's "just right".
If your tow vehicle wanders like puppy and is hard to keep in a straight line (and the trailer isn't swaying) then you need to get a WD hitch setup to get the weight distributed to the front end of your tow vehicle. There are a lot of variables.

After installing your safety chains, the breakaway switch cable must be connected to the hitch chain loop, independent of the safety chains, never intertwined in the chains and free from obstruction. If it's just too darn long, make it shorter, but not so short it could yank out in a turn or going over a large dip int he road. Leave a little extra.

 If your safety chains are dragging or really close to the road, get some links cut out. Don't make them too short, they should have some droop.

For the breakaway torpedo, if  you have catastrophe while towing and the chains break, the coupling breaks, the tow ball breaks, whichever, if the breakaway plastic torpedo is pulled , it will connect your trailer brakes directly to your 12 volt battery and slow the trailer down so doesn't run away into someones house.

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ToolmanJohn Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Apr 2014 Location: Connecticut Online Status: Offline Posts: 451	Topic: Tow Vehicle Hitch Height Posted: 20 Mar 2017 at 7:33pm
	Having the trailer level is best. Having some amount of rear tow vehicle sag is OK. I would allow a little trailer tongue drop is you can't find a tow bar that's "just right". If your tow vehicle wanders like puppy and is hard to keep in a straight line (and the trailer isn't swaying) then you need to get a WD hitch setup to get the weight distributed to the front end of your tow vehicle. There are a lot of variables. After installing your safety chains, the breakaway switch cable must be connected to the hitch chain loop, independent of the safety chains, never intertwined in the chains and free from obstruction. If it's just too darn long, make it shorter, but not so short it could yank out in a turn or going over a large dip int he road. Leave a little extra. If your safety chains are dragging or really close to the road, get some links cut out. Don't make them too short, they should have some droop. For the breakaway torpedo, if you have catastrophe while towing and the chains break, the coupling breaks, the tow ball breaks, whichever, if the breakaway plastic torpedo is pulled , it will connect your trailer brakes directly to your 12 volt battery and slow the trailer down so doesn't run away into someones house.
	2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler 2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD) 2013 VW Touareg TDI

mcarter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 07 Apr 2016 Location: Greenbrier, TN Online Status: Offline Posts: 3419	Posted: 20 Mar 2017 at 5:38pm
	Not dumb. First I don't believe it should be entwined in the safety chains. It should not be attached to any part of the removable parts of the hitch. Thirdly it should be a bit shorter than the safety chains, so that when, the safety chains deploy and reach their limit the ebrake switch is enabled. I attach mine to the TV frame, I loop it or tie knots in it to get that length that is shorter, a bit, than the safety chains. What you want to be careful of is you don't make it so short, that on a hard turn it pulls the cable, otherwise your trailer brakes are locked and you're speeding on your way. Bad juju for trailer brakes and drums, can catch fire. I have made mounting points on TV for that cable alone.
	Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

texman Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 24 Jul 2014 Location: TeXas Online Status: Offline Posts: 446	Posted: 20 Mar 2017 at 5:17pm
	another dumb question-what is the safety disconnect for the brakes supposed to latch to? mine is just attached to safety chain.
	TexMan 2015 182g 2018 Sequoia TexManMods

mcarter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 07 Apr 2016 Location: Greenbrier, TN Online Status: Offline Posts: 3419	Posted: 20 Mar 2017 at 4:49pm
	texman, Good question and I bet you get a lot of answers. I was taught to level trailer - measure tongue height, then add 3 inches and that is ball height (top of the ball), which means trailer is level. However that will be offset by spring loads of vehicle and the tongue weight of the trailer. Then depending upon the drop by weight, the WDH discussion starts. If the weight of the trailer doesn't cause rear spring loading, level is probably best place to start and that means getting right ball height. One thing I would say is that if you want to shorten your safety chains, twist them, using the coupler hook, they will shorten as you twist, rather than strap them up and leave them long.
	Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

texman Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 24 Jul 2014 Location: TeXas Online Status: Offline Posts: 446	Posted: 20 Mar 2017 at 4:07pm
	What is the recommended height of the hitch in relation to the pod. In other words, should the pod be level while towing or tongue slightly lower than level, or other. Since i added the lift kit, the tongue is lower than level and I have noticed some additional movement while towing, that may just be wind. The tongue is low enough that i use straps to suspend the safety chains so they wont drag. Thanks
	TexMan 2015 182g 2018 Sequoia TexManMods