wcjeep wrote: Also, I prefer the ball to be just beyond the rear of the camper bumper. Makes it easier to deal with steps.
Good point. We haul our quads on an open drive-on, driver-off snowmobile trailer that has a really long tongue. The ball is just about even with the camper bumper. I bought an extended drawbar for use with the enclosed trailer to help with turning clearance.
wcjeep wrote: Also, I prefer the ball to be just beyond the rear of the camper bumper. Makes it easier to deal with steps.
Good point. We haul our quads on an open drive-on, driver-off snowmobile trailer that has a really long tongue. The ball is just about even with the camper bumper. I bought an extended drawbar for use with the enclosed trailer to help with turning clearance.
I agree about not wanting the ball under the camper. Even though my last camper was slightly less than 8-1/2' and only came to about even with the surface of the long bed truck's tail lights, I still used a slightly longer than typical ball mount to tow my trailers. With a very short ~10" ball mount, the camper jack would hit the trailer in tight backing and turning. The ~4-6" longer ball mount allowed a little greater range of motion before contacting the camper jack with front of trailer.
I agree with the measuring part including the ball mount you plan to use. You don't want it any longer than it has to be. Most custom hitch installers can provide a custom length.
Also, you are probably going to have to upgrade the hitch receiver as well. FWIW, not all Class V's are created equal some are just labeled that way. You need the extra strength to deal with the tongue weight far away from the hitch.
'06 F350 Lariat Supercab SRW, 6.0 PSD 4x4 Long Bed, Intake Elbow, Walker Big Truck Muffler. '06 Host Rainer 950 Double Slide, Fastguns. Firestone Air Bags, Rancho 9000s, Vision 19.5s with Hankook DH-01 245s, Energy Suspension bump stops.
Speaking of steps, I'm using the Torklift Glowsteps with the Glowguide. The Glowguide is a telescoping handrail. Makes it easy for my 7yr old to enter/exit.
Even though the Glowsteps are good I would suggest if you are ordering an AF1150 then order it with the Arctic Fox Landing. This is the slickest thing since sliced bread. Arctic Fox Landing Scroll down the page till you see the press release on them.
Butch
2011 F350 KR 4X4 CC LB SRW
2012 Northern Lite 10 2 CDSE
2010 Can-Am 650XT Outlander Max
2012 Harley Tri Glide
wcjeep wrote: Also, I prefer the ball to be just beyond the rear of the camper bumper. Makes it easier to deal with steps.
Good point. We haul our quads on an open drive-on, driver-off snowmobile trailer that has a really long tongue. The ball is just about even with the camper bumper. I bought an extended drawbar for use with the enclosed trailer to help with turning clearance.
I agree about not wanting the ball under the camper. Even though my last camper was slightly less than 8-1/2' and only came to about even with the surface of the long bed truck's tail lights, I still used a slightly longer than typical ball mount to tow my trailers. With a very short ~10" ball mount, the camper jack would hit the trailer in tight backing and turning. The ~4-6" longer ball mount allowed a little greater range of motion before contacting the camper jack with front of trailer.
While I agree with what you're saying, I realize my post wasn't too clear. I prefer it to be no further back than the camper bumper, especially with the extra long tongue of the sled trailer. It has no turning clearance issues. When towing the enclosed where it becomes a slight issue, the longer ball mount solves that. Using a extension that's on the shorter side offers the ability to pick exactly where I want the ball by changing the ball mount.
An extension that's longer than necessary only transfers more front axle weight onto the rear axle.
Speaking of steps, I'm using the Torklift Glowsteps with the Glowguide. The Glowguide is a telescoping handrail. Makes it easy for my 7yr old to enter/exit.
Even though the Glowsteps are good I would suggest if you are ordering an AF1150 then order it with the Arctic Fox Landing. This is the slickest thing since sliced bread. Arctic Fox Landing Scroll down the page till you see the press release on them.
Although I do not have the AF Landing on my TC, it still appears to me that the first "step up" from the ground is still higher than it should be. Its the same problem they always had with their factory steps. I'll hang on to my Glow Steps....they go right to the ground, fold up in seconds, and allow me to use the Glow Guide railing when I want to deploy it for long term camping.
2009 Chevy Silverado 3500 dually D/A, Supersprings, Stable Loads, Bilstein Shocks, Hellwig Sway Bar, Front Timbrens.
2010 Arctic Fox 1140 DB, 220 watts solar, custom 4 in 1 "U" shaped dinette/couch, 59 interior and exterior mods to date and still adding
If the truck is gas powered then it should be within it's GVWR.
If it's diesel powered, then it will be over GVWR when fully loaded.
If that's a problem in Canada, then you might want to consider that issue.
Offline
