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neu

Toronto

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Posted: 04/27/23 06:45pm

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Hi everybody!

This is my first time towing any trailers, so please don't judge my question too harshly. The trailer hitch on my car is located pretty low. When I attached the trailer, it looked funny. It was heavily tilted forward. It's definitely not safe to drive like that.

I found these "Trailer Ball Mount Fits Receiver" (see attached photo) on the internet, which allow me to shift the Ball Mount position several centimeters upward. Before I buy it, could you advise me which one from the multitude on the market should I choose, and are there any pitfalls?

The chains from the trailer that I attach to the trailer hitch are also very long for my hitch height and simply drag on the ground (see attached photo). How can I get out of this situation? Should I go to a service center and cut the chains, or are there other life hacks that might be helpful to me?

* This post was edited 04/27/23 07:03pm by neu *

Boon Docker

Mountain Foothills of Southern Alberta

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Posted: 04/27/23 07:00pm

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I can not recommend which ball mount to purchase.
But as far as the chains are concerned. The length should be OK once you get the proper height with the new ball mount.

neu

Toronto

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Posted: 04/27/23 07:03pm

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Boon Docker wrote:

I can not recommend which ball mount to purchase.
But as far as the chains are concerned. The length should be OK once you get the proper height with the new ball mount.

Yeah, that makes sense. Thanks!

eHoefler

ozark mountains

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Posted: 04/28/23 06:01am

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You will need to get an equalizing hitch to tow that correctly and safely. You may also be beyond the tow capacity of your car.

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Bobbo

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Posted: 04/28/23 06:06am

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If the chains are still too long after getting the hitch height correct, don't twist the chains to shorten them. That weakens them. Get a pair of these twin clovis links and put one on each chain.

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Dusty R

Charlotte Michigan 48813

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Posted: 04/28/23 06:28am

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It used to be that where the chains hooked to the tow vehicle was farther apart and they were crossed hooked so when you turned they did not become too short.

StirCrazy

Kamloops, BC, Canada

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Posted: 04/28/23 07:08am

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neu wrote:

so its a little bit of a process, you need to buy what is commonly called a drop hitch as usaly its trucks that hae to drop the high, but hey if you turn them over and put the ball in then its a raise hitch.

to figure out how much you need, I would measure the distance between the bottom of your hitch bar and the road when you are hooked up, write that down. then unhook and jack up the front of the camper till it is sitting level and measure from the road to the bottom of the lip on the pocket where the ball goes into. now take that number and subtract the first and that will tell you how much of a drop you need.

so lets say the bar was 13" off the ground when hooked up, and then when you leveled it out it was 17" you would need a 4" drop hitch but assemble the ball in it upside down and it will give you a rise.

so when you find out you want to buy THISstyle of hitch with the drop distance that matches what you measured and then right size ball then flip it over from the orientation and install the ball. make sure you get one rated for the proper weight. leave those adjustable ones in the store they are only good for if you are towing a bunch of different height light trailers.

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nickthehunter

Midwest

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Posted: 04/28/23 07:24am

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It’s a single axle trailer; I’d be more concerned about the payload rating and tow rating of that car vs. the tongue weight and GVWR of that trailer. Clicky

Grit dog

Black Diamond, WA

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Posted: 04/28/23 10:49am

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Cross the chains and twist them up until they don’t drag…for now.
If you need a wdh now is the right time before you buy another drop stinger. (If you need one and or it doesn’t tow well and sways a lot).
If you can tow it fine with a weight bearing stinger then you need a drop stinger (flipped over) or adjustable. But you have to do the math. All of them generally have printed dimensions. You can compare against yours as pictured and how many inches rise to make it level.
If you can’t do the math take it by a trailer sales place have them recommend one and try it on in the parking lot.

And fwiw it’s not unsafe to tow it like it is although it is increasing your tongue weight a bit and creates a little clearance issue with the jack.

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Reisender

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Posted: 04/28/23 11:49am

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Hi. There is usually a bolt that holds the chains on the trailer. Just take out the bolt and shorten accordingly. A little side head grinder will cut the chain easy enough.

Re leveling. The adjustable ball mount you show will probably work but you can also just get a riser ball mount and do the same thing. Maybe 30 bucks at your local hardware store or RV store. I think Walmart also has them. We had to use a 2 inch on ours but the higher slung trailers often need a 4 inch.

Have a great camping season.