Community Forums

jjhenley · 06-05-2014, 11:12 AM

I had not really noticed this, got the 2002 Dutch Star in January 2014. Towing a 2006 Z71 Crew Cab and realized the whole trailer hitch points down and significantly reduces clearance plus the pull is not straight. Is this common on this model or has someone customized it.

BFlinn181 · 06-05-2014, 11:28 AM

Have you checked underneath to see if anything is bent or broken? Most all receivers I've seen are parallel with the road.

Brockx · 06-05-2014, 11:34 AM

Never seen that unless the vehicle had been hit in the rear or had backed into something. In a younger life I did a lot of wrecker driving and saw a lot of bent hitches that saved the host vehicle.

slabman · 06-05-2014, 07:02 PM

This is hard to believe. Can you post a picture?

JFXG · 06-05-2014, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjhenley

I had not really noticed this, got the 2002 Dutch Star in January 2014.... the whole trailer hitch points down....Is this common on this model or has someone customized it.

Yeah, it sounds like someone "customized" it. Did you just now notice it? Haven't towed anything before now? Just wondering if there's any way to ascertain if the damage was there at time of sale, or occurred recently.

The Hidden Hitch on my '02 DSDP sits about 15" off the ground and parallel to the pavement. Trailer hitches are tuff stuff. Takes a lot to bend one. I'd have that looked at.

edgray · 06-06-2014, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JFXG

The Hidden Hitch on my '02 DSDP sits about 15" off the ground and parallel to the pavement. Trailer hitches are tuff stuff. Takes a lot to bend one. I'd have that looked at.

To the OP:
When looking, pay particular attention to where the round tube portion is welded to the flat plate bracket that bolts onto the chassis frame. I've seen more than one that failed there, causing the dreaded droop you are seeing.

I'm guessing your toad weighs over 6,000 pounds and you may need a new, stronger hitch.

JFXG · 06-06-2014, 09:14 AM

Edgray's onto something. Its a pretty heavy truck, and possibly sits up fairly high. I have to use a 5" hitch riser on mine just to keep the bar level towing a Honda Element. You'd need a hefty riser towing a p/u like that or your tow bar likely had a pretty good down angle.

Romeo · 06-07-2014, 09:41 AM

My hitch and receiver tube on our 2000 DSDP is very low to the ground so I had to use a riser for a straight pull of the Jeep Cherokee. If needed I could post a photo, but the toad will not be hooked up for an hour of so.