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Rockies · 11-19-2017, 03:28 PM

Made some quick measurements at the dealer, unfortunately none of their trailers were very level so I had to transpose some of the measurements. I measured a hitch height of approx. 28-29 inches, which would require a Cat V (2.5") receiver hitch with about 5-6 inches of rise on my '16 Ram 3500 SRW which has a receiver approx. 24" high (measured from the top of the opening). That's quite a bit of rise! I assumed 1 - 1 1/2" of sag with 1,200 lbs. of tongue weight. Get approx. 3" sag with 3,000 lbs. of pin weight.

For those folks towing the larger OVR TT's with the Off-Road x4 Suspension (with 235/80/16 tires), does that sound about right?

Thanks!

60sumtin · 11-19-2017, 03:34 PM

To get a good measurement the trailer only needs to be parallel with the ground below it, it doesn't need to be level.

Rockies · 11-19-2017, 03:52 PM

Thanks. My definition of level is when the trailer is parallel with the ground. Not sure how it can be level without being parallel with the ground. Unless I'm missing something, of course

Bob_C · 11-19-2017, 03:58 PM

Towing level can be different then camping level........site uneven....

60sumtin · 11-19-2017, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockies

Thanks. My definition of level is when the trailer is parallel with the ground. Not sure how it can be level without being parallel with the ground. Unless I'm missing something, of course

To me level means as in using a carpenters level to find level. If the trailer is level but the ground it's sitting on is not its not going to be parallel with the ground. The trailer is either going to be nose high or nose low depending on which way the ground is sloped which will result in inaccurate measurements for the purpose of determining the hitch height to the ball height of your truck or vice versa.

Randy the sly old fox · 11-19-2017, 08:39 PM

you can also measure between the tires I believe that you can measure the distance from the ground to the bottom of the frame - add the frame height and you are very close to the coupler height.

60sumtin · 11-19-2017, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randy the sly old fox

you can also measure between the tires I believe that you can measure the distance from the ground to the bottom of the frame - add the frame height and you are very close to the coupler height.

Good point. That should work too.

Rockies · 11-19-2017, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 60sumtin

To me level means as in using a carpenters level to find level. If the trailer is level but the ground it's sitting on is not its not going to be parallel with the ground. The trailer is either going to be nose high or nose low depending on which way the ground is sloped which will result in inaccurate measurements for the purpose of determining the hitch height to the ball height of your truck or vice versa.

Ok. Got it. Makes sense. Thanks!

Tops · 11-20-2017, 05:36 AM

I did the same thing this weekend and measured hitch height and came up with 29" to the top of the coupler. From what I read, you want your ball on your tuck approximately 1.5" higher than the coupler (30.5").

I'm driving a 16' Ram SRW as well with a lift. It looks mine will be straight out of the receiver to the coupler (woooo-hoooo) no tail gate opening issues.

Papa_Jim · 11-20-2017, 07:40 PM

Go between the tires and measure from ground to the frame, and that will give you a pretty close idea of the actual hitch height.

The hitch height of our trailer from the factory was 31"

So, our truck settles about 2" when the weight of the trailer settles onto it, so the ball on our truck had to be set at about 33".

Jim

BaseCamper · 11-20-2017, 08:57 PM

I messaged the factory to get the coupler/hitch height of the Black Rock 23BKS and Rick Ewing replied with a height of 22" to 23". I hope that's good because it's what I based my Equal-i-zer shank selection on (that and my TV receiver height of 23.5").

Papa_Jim · 11-20-2017, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BaseCamper

I messaged the factory to get the coupler/hitch height of the Black Rock 23BKS and Rick Ewing replied with a height of 22" to 23". I hope that's good because it's what I based my Equal-i-zer shank selection on (that and my TV receiver height of 23.5").

You better confirm that information. Our 23RKS came from the factory with a hitch height of 31". That caused us a great deal of distress! We spent considerable time and effort and money to finally decide to spend the money to lower our trailer hitch 6", which meant our new trailer hitch height is now 25", which works for our truck. We can now open the tailgate to access the contents.

Jim

Rockies · 11-21-2017, 07:19 AM

Wow, even after lowering your hitch receiver height 6" you still needed what looks like 2-3 inches of rise!!

Thanks for posting the pics. They certainly drive home the point just how high these OVR hitch receivers are.

I'm hoping we can get by with a 6" rise on our '16 Ram 3500 Cummins SRW (w/stock suspension/tires) which I believe sits a bit higher than your Ram 1500. Also hoping we can still drop our tailgate with that much rise. If not, we'll probably fabricate a 2nd set of shortened tailgate drop cables to make absolutely sure we don't damage our tailgate.

BaseCamper · 11-21-2017, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Papa_Jim

You better confirm that information. Our 23RKS came from the factory with a hitch height of 31". That caused us a great deal of distress! We spent considerable time and effort and money to finally decide to spend the money to lower our trailer hitch 6", which meant our new trailer hitch height is now 25", which works for our truck. We can now open the tailgate to access the contents.
Jim

Oh boy, the shank was delivered yesterday.

Seemed like it should be a pretty straightforward process. Measure my receiver height ... call the factory for the coupler height ... ask the hitch company for the proper shank ... order the shank (found an almost-new one for a great price - or thought I did).

It's starting to sound like I might have to write this one off to newb tuition.