Level trailer while traveling or measure rise & drop?

[grandpopsicle]

I have a small 20' TT with a friction bar.
After a few years I finally decided to question the dealers install. Measured the receiver & hitch and the drop height is 4 3/4" yet the dealer had only put on a 2" drop.

I have read a lot and talked to a few "specialist" who conflict each other so much it's my head is spinning.:h Some Examples

Have it level when traveling...no wait.... level both the trailer and TV then set drop height and not worry about leveling the travel.

Oh...level it from measuring the frame front to back and not use the level....or use the level.

Measure from top of 2" receiver opening to bottom of hitch...no wait... just the opposite and measure to top of hitch not the bottom.

Tilt nose up a little...no wait... tilt down a little.

3" difference sounds like a lot. Trying to decide if if I should bother with a going from a 2" drop to a 5" or not.

Options & thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[TKW]

I have the Equal-i-zer WDH. Its hitch head weighs a ton (actually around 60#). On a good day, I have no problem lifting it but I had once dropped on my driveway only inches away from my toes. I personally do not like to have it hanging out back there on my 20' long truck when not towing. It's just me.

With OP's 2,700# TT & his physical limitation, Andersen is a better choice.

[dodge_guy]

Look at the Equalizer brand hitch. it can stay attached to the truck. this way you don't need to lift anything. and the WD bars stay attached to the hitch with pins so they can stay in. if you want they are light enough to be removed by you separately.

Once you get the WD hitch then you can adjust the height of both to be level when attached and the WD bars under load.

[grandpopsicle]

I actually ordered the Andersen hitch yesterday and seems easy enough to manage. Pricy but think it will be a great investment for me.

[TKW]

Andersen is probably the lightest WDH in the market.

[grandpopsicle]

Thank you for all the great advice everyone.

Been looking and most WDH seem to be fairly heavy. I like the husky TS series and found one on craigslist for $125...but seems to be extremely heavy. One guy said it 150lbs (400-600 TW model). I cant even lift 30lbs.

Also this this is a good deal but don't know how much it weighs.

I have some physical limitations and would have a hard time with most of them.

Thoughts on either of the ones above?

Are there any that are modular (think I could manage separate components) and affordable?

[Bobbo]

Agreed, you really need a quality WD hitch. Preferable with sway control built in.

[Terryallan]

Sounds like you need a WDH. that way. Everything will be level, and your towing experience will be much more relaxing

[grandpopsicle]

Grit dog wrote:
Agreed, level trailer has 0 to do with tongue weight.
If single axle trailer, level is only important for asthetics, within reason.

Great ...thanks.

Grit dog wrote:
Tandem axle, again, up or down a few inches end to end is not important either if they're leaf spring axles. If torsion axles, the trailer NEEDS to be close to level or one axle will be supporting significantly more weight than the other.

single axle. 2700 lb trailer with leaf springs.

Grit dog wrote:
Your issue appears to be with an improperly setup wdh or insufficient tow vehicle. Totally differnet things.

Don't have WDH and tow vehicle (2013 toyota highlander) with factory towing package rated for 5000lbs.

[grandpopsicle]

bid_time wrote:
First, are you using a weight distribution hitch (if you don't know for sure what that is, Google it)?

No I am not.

bid_time wrote:
Secondly, what are you towing with.

2013 Toyota highlander

bid_time wrote:
That fact that you have enough sag to mention bottoming out is of concern.

What I was mentioning is that it not enough sag to bottom out.

[ScottG]

While having a tongue up attitude doesn't change the weight on the front of the TT appreciably, it can induce sway at a much lower speed. With tandem axles it is best to have the trailer level or slightly nose down. There should be enough adjustment to make it anything but nose high.

[Lwiddis]

“If single axle trailer, level is only important for asthetics,“

And the fridge! For stops, lunch, sightseeing etc. Doesn’t take long to goof up the fridge.

[Grit_dog]

Agreed, level trailer has 0 to do with tongue weight.
If single axle trailer, level is only important for asthetics, within reason.
Tandem axle, again, up or down a few inches end to end is not important either if they're leaf spring axles. If torsion axles, the trailer NEEDS to be close to level or one axle will be supporting significantly more weight than the other.

Your issue appears to be with an improperly setup wdh or insufficient tow vehicle. Totally differnet things.

[bid_time]

First, are you using a weight distribution hitch (if you don't know for sure what that is, Google it)?
Secondly, what are you towing with.
That fact that you have enough sag to mention bottoming out is of concern.

[Lwiddis]

Level...both TV and TT when traveling. Not much looks worse or says “I’m a newbie” than a TT nose up or down moving down the highway.