This is the first time I've had the 20' equipment trailer hooked up while the TC is on the truck.
There's about 6" of vertical clearance between the top of the tongue and the bottom of the TC.
Will that be enough clearance? I do not plan on crossing any deep ditches with the rig.
2002 Chevy 3500 DRW 8.1L/Allison
2000 Palomino B1500
...and the reason why I need a DRW to haul a Palomino:
2004 United 7x14 tandem axle enclosed toy trailer
2011 PJ 8x20 7-ton deckover equipment trailer
I tow my boat with and without the camper on. When I put the camper on, I have to change my drop hitch to one with 2" - 3" less drop so that the trailer continues to ride level and so that the trailer jack can still drop/lock with appropriate clearance. Something for you to look at if this is the first time you've hauled with this combination.
Truck: 2006 Dodge 3500 Dually
Camper: 2007 Eagle Cap 850
Boat: 2003 Jetcraft 2125 - Yamaha 150 HP & 8 HP Kicker
The hitch ball is 14" below the floor of the camper.
The top of the tongue is 8" above the hitch ball.
That leaves 6" between the top of the tongue and the bottom of the camper's rear overhang.
My concern is in entering driveways, where the trailer is on flat ground but the truck is running uphill.
I *think* the truck and trailer would have to be at a pretty severe angle to each other before it's a problem, such as going through a ditch. I *think* I'll be okay, but I'm not even 95% sure of that.
mkirsch, Reddog1's question was how far back is the actual ball. If the ball is at or just beyond the rear bumper, he's saying the pivot point will be where ther is no chance of trailer / camper contact even in a ditch or deep driveway.
Super_Dave wrote: mkirsch, Reddog1's question was how far back is the actual ball. If the ball is at or just beyond the rear bumper, he's saying the pivot point will be where ther is no chance of trailer / camper contact even in a ditch or deep driveway.
Additionally, if the ball is under the TC far enough, the tongue of the trailer could hit the TC going across a ditch or deep driveway. Obviously, this is one of the reasons many of us have extensions.
If there is 8" vertical clearance, if the ball is 8" forward of the end of the camper, the trailer to truck vertical angle would have to be 45 degrees before the trailer tongue hits the camper, if hitting the dip straight-on. If the distance forward of end camper is 16", the max clearance would be 22.5 degrees. I would think that 15 degrees would be more than enough clearance angle. 15 degrees puts the ball about 20" forward of end of camper. Now when turning, the distance from end of camper to ball increases quite a bit, so the vertical clearance angle will also decrease quite a bit if hitting the dip while turning.
Offline
