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08-10-2011, 09:55 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 341
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Towing - ball height ?
I'm going to be towing a TandemTow trailer for my Spyder and car. The way the trailer is built, they recommend a 22" center of ball height. In order to get that, with a 2" drop drawbar, I will have to stack washers between the base of the ball and the drawbar. (Reversing the bar will be too high.)
The container the new ball came in only says that there must be threads showing when the nut and lock washer are tightened on the bottom of the draw bar. And the shank is long enough for me to stack washers above the bar.
For you experienced folks out there, is stacking washers beneath the ball OK to do??
Thanks.
__________________
David Horn, TX; 2014 40ft Phaeton QTH; 2014 Mazda CX5; 2013 Can-AM Spyder RT-S on TandemTow trailer; Traveling with Ringo (an English Cocker)
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08-10-2011, 10:09 AM
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#2
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Administrator in Memoriam
Newmar Owners Club Retired Fire Service RVer's Spartan Chassis
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Newark, DE
Posts: 25,898
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I would say no based on the fact that it sounds like the trailer will be relatively heavy.
I don't think you can get it tight enough to stop any play in the shank under load. It becomes much easier to shear metal when there is movement.
It sounds like you're pretty close as is. Wouldn't and inch or so be close enough?
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Adios, Dirk - '84 Real Lite Truck Camper, '86 Wilderness Cimarron TT, previously 4 years as a fulltimer in a '07 DSDP
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08-10-2011, 10:11 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Raymond, Washington
Posts: 414
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The small difference you would achieve with washers, is not worth chance of ball getting loose from the leverage that will occur by moving the ball base away from the mounting surface.
beagle
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08-10-2011, 11:06 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Damon Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,024
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Instead of a 2" Drop adapter, can you use a STRAIGHT adapter? I mean, they make them no drop at all.
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Home is where I park it!
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08-10-2011, 11:21 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 341
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Ok, I understand, no washers.
As to the straight adapter (drawbar), if someone knows where to find them, please let me know. I've looked all over the net and the only ones like that are the forged 12000# ones.
__________________
David Horn, TX; 2014 40ft Phaeton QTH; 2014 Mazda CX5; 2013 Can-AM Spyder RT-S on TandemTow trailer; Traveling with Ringo (an English Cocker)
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08-10-2011, 05:29 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Damon Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,024
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Try a U-Haul hitch store, but they are very common. Unless weight is a major issue.
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Home is where I park it!
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08-10-2011, 05:40 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: TX
Posts: 494
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dshogman,
Try a Tractor Supply Company (TSC) store. They have heavy duty hitch ball mounts and hitch balls that you can't find at the normal places like: Walmart, U-Haul, Home Depot, or Lowes. Or, if you don't have a TSC store near you, try some other farm implement supply store.
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08-10-2011, 08:52 PM
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#8
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 18
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Definitely a no-no on the washers. If washers will get you close enough then I'm assuming your are no more than 1 inch away from their "optimal" height recommendation, in which case you are fine to trailer as is. If you are more than an inch away and you want to be exactly at the recommended height, then get a different drop as was stated in earlier replies. It is fine if it is a heavier duty piece as having over capacity load rating won't hurt a thing, as compared to having to light of a rating which again is a no-no.
Hope this helps.
__________________
2000 36' Alpine Coach
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08-10-2011, 11:42 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Washington State
Posts: 870
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And if all that advice doesn't work for you, call Tork-Lift in Kent, WA at 253-854-1832 and ask for Karen or Matt. They will make you a receiver insert that holds a ball with no washers, towing whatever load weight you want, at whatever finished height you want. They have been doing it for many years with no issues, and they do all my towing/hitch work on all my toads/trailers. They will build it and ship it to you.
__________________
2019 Winnebago 22M
2015 Jeep JK Rubicon
Former Owner, 2006 Alpine Coach 36MDDS
Former Owner, 2005 Tioga 31M and Arctic Fox 22GQ
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08-12-2011, 12:08 PM
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#10
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Registered User
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,899
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There is a trailer supply store on I-5 south at exit 88, on the east side of the road. Brazals in Chehalis, WA also might be able to help. Give me a call if all the other suggestions don't work, and I will see what I can find locally, you could stop buy and pick it up, but my suggestion is to find a truck supply house/dealer up your way, they should have something you can use. Get one rated at at least 10K for safety, you will have a cumbersome load situation.
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08-13-2011, 12:54 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Alpine Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Long Beach, CA
Posts: 1,563
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In what I've read in several towing guides, the goal is to be within 2" or 3" of level. Sounds like you're fine.
__________________
2003 Alpine 40FDTS (400HP)
Long Beach, CA
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