Low clearance - cut this off?

[DarkSkySeeker]

The structure in my photo extends very low under my hitch. It is so low, it drags on most driveway entrances and exits. Other than making the hitch less adjustable for another rig in the future, is there any downside of bandsawing it off?

[wanderingbob]

Get your wife a fresh hacksaw blade and tell her to have at it!

[DarkSkySeeker]

trail-explorer wrote:
CUT THE HITCH OFF, done.

That's the plan.

[trail-explorer]

time2roll wrote:
I would look for a wheel to attach.

Bad idea there. THat would LIFT the tow vehicle when entering driveways, etc.

CUT THE HITCH OFF, done.

[Grit_dog]

From that perspective it doesn't look "that" low, but it also doesn't look like you're using the wd bars, or the front end has a leveling kit?

Trailer has leaf springs?
If so, make it easy, flip the hitch, which will raise it slightly and remove the low hanging encumbrance. And if the trailer sits a tad nose high, it won't really hurt anything. That's what I'd try fist before going through the trouble of sawing off a solid 2x2 bar.

[DarkSkySeeker]

[Grit_dog]

DarkSkySeeker wrote:

Grit dog wrote:
Pictures can be deceiving, but your sig pic looks like that truck is sagging more than expected with a HD 4x4. Especially if the wd bars are doing anything. If that's not the case and the truck isn't sagging then it won't hurt anything trimming the bar.

I am taking the RIG out next month and will get a profile photo then, and a photo up close of the hitch. Right now the trailer is tucked away and I won't pull it out for a photo session. Thanks to you (and all the others) for the input so far.

How much was the back of the truck sagging when you did have it hooked up?

[dodge_guy]

I had to trim off mine when I had my 97 Dodge conv van. the hitch sat low so the extra length hanging low would've caused issues. Just leave enough metal below the last hole and you will be fine.

[DarkSkySeeker]

Grit dog wrote:
Pictures can be deceiving, but your sig pic looks like that truck is sagging more than expected with a HD 4x4. Especially if the wd bars are doing anything. If that's not the case and the truck isn't sagging then it won't hurt anything trimming the bar.

I am taking the RIG out next month and will get a profile photo then, and a photo up close of the hitch. Right now the trailer is tucked away and I won't pull it out for a photo session. Thanks to you (and all the others) for the input so far.

[Mickeyfan0805]

MiRvn wrote:
If you're dragging that low, you may have too much tongue weight on the rear end. Your truck should sit pretty close to level when hooked up.

I agree. If this were particular to a certain location, I could see it being an issue of the angles involved at that location. For a normal set-up, however, you shouldn't be having issues at 'most driveways' unless it is hanging unusually low. I'd make sure the setup is accurate before cutting things off and realizing it was never set up correctly in the first place.

[MiRvn]

If you're dragging that low, you may have too much tongue weight on the rear end. Your truck should sit pretty close to level when hooked up. Perhaps forcing a little more weight onto the front wheels could help the situation. Another option is replacing the bump stops on the rear axle with a more HD set to assist with the sag.

[time2roll]

I would look for a wheel to attach.

[Grit_dog]

Pictures can be deceiving, but your sig pic looks like that truck is sagging more than expected with a HD 4x4. Especially if the wd bars are doing anything.
If that's not the case and the truck isn't sagging then it won't hurt anything trimming the bar.

[ScottG]

Lwiddis wrote:
Cutting will help your ground clearance issue but not solve it.

Cutting it solved the same problem for me!

[DarkSkySeeker]

La Gasser wrote:
Something doesn't sound right here. When the truck & trailer are hooked up, is both the truck & the trailer level? Or is the rear of the truck sagging? If the rear of the truck and the nose of the trailer are lower, then maybe you need airbags to level the truck backup, which would raise the hitch higher off the ground.

I will post a photo of the connected trailer. Right now, they are not attached.