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07-26-2016, 05:38 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Name: Ellpea
Trailer: 1989 Lil Bigfoot
CA
Posts: 1,379
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With new axle, trailer no longer tows level -- concern?
The Lil Bigfoot is now 3-4 inches taller than it used to be. So it does tilt down in front to hitch to the Volvo. Is that a concern?
__________________
Best,
EllPea in CA
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07-26-2016, 05:45 PM
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#2
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Commercial Member
Name: Charlie Y
Trailer: Escape 21 - Felicity
Oregon
Posts: 1,583
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Down is better than up, but the fridge won't work as well (if at all) unless the average road ride is fairly level.
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07-26-2016, 06:39 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Name: David
Trailer: 1998 Casita 17 SD
Alberta
Posts: 786
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depending on the receiver, you may be able to remove the ball and flip the receiver to increase the ball height. The other option is a new receiver with the proper height for the trailer
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07-26-2016, 06:43 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Name: Mike
Trailer: Escape 21 & Jeep GC 5.7 (Previous 2012 Casita FD17 & 2010 Audi Q5)
Puget Sound, WA
Posts: 1,775
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ellpea in CA
The Lil Bigfoot is now 3-4 inches taller than it used to be. So it does tilt down in front to hitch to the Volvo. Is that a concern?
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While level is recommended, "they" say that having the A-frame and coupler tilted a bit downward is preferred to any upward tilt.
I think the most common and economical approach is to simply get a different drawbar to get the ball height properly aligned with the coupler height. Things to consider include maintaining clearance for the hatch to open without interference from the tongue jack, etc.
In my case the tow vehicle manufacturer indicates a very limited range of permissible ball mounting locations. I posted here in regard to my Casita a while back:
http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...ght-74337.html
Glenn said easy-peasy to lowering the coupler. We still haven't gotten together on that. But then, I haven't done the lift yet.
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07-26-2016, 07:17 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Name: Lynn
Trailer: 2019 Escape 21C, NTU April 2022 (was 2013 Casita Spirit Deluxe 17)
Massachusetts
Posts: 666
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dudley
depending on the receiver, you may be able to remove the ball and flip the receiver to increase the ball height. The other option is a new receiver with the proper height for the trailer
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Terminology alert!
I'm confused about the terms for the components of trailer hitches.
My understanding was that the 'receiver' was the part welded to the tow vehicle with a square female opening.
The part that goes into it is a 'ball mount' or maybe 'insert'. By this account, what Dudley means is to 'flip the insert' (which will give you anything from 0 to maybe 12" difference in ball height, depending on configuration of the insert.
Then there's the term 'stinger', by which I assume is meant the insert, unless it is the 'receiver'—or maybe the 'coupler'—the tongue of the trailer that fits over the ball?
Clarification welcome. Then back to your regularly-scheduled thread.
/Mr Lynn
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07-26-2016, 07:20 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Trailer: 2004 13 ft Scamp Custom Deluxe
Posts: 8,520
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assuming that the trailer is towed most of the time it is hitched, then the fridge won't be affected. Modern propane fridges are now designed to tolerate 15 degrees off level, a big improvement over years past
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07-26-2016, 07:37 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Name: alan
Trailer: looking
Colorado
Posts: 264
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I don't know how much rise or drop your current hitch has. Perhaps one of these can help: 1-1/4 Inch Hitch | etrailer.com
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07-26-2016, 08:24 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Name: Ellpea
Trailer: 1989 Lil Bigfoot
CA
Posts: 1,379
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Fridge angle
Quote:
Originally Posted by floyd
assuming that the trailer is towed most of the time it is hitched, then the fridge won't be affected. Modern propane fridges are now designed to tolerate 15 degrees off level, a big improvement over years past
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The fridge, as far as I know, is original to the trailer, which is a 1989...? I haven't measured the angle off level yet.
__________________
Best,
EllPea in CA
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07-27-2016, 10:17 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Trailer: Scamp 16 ft Side Dinette
Posts: 1,279
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dudley
depending on the receiver, you may be able to remove the ball and flip the receiver to increase the ball height. The other option is a new receiver with the proper height for the trailer
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the part you call a receiver is actually a ball mount, or drawbar.
the receiver is the part bolted to the car.
The refrigerator can stand more off level that you think.
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07-28-2016, 03:48 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Trailer: Trillium 2010
Posts: 5,185
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As suggested, you can raise the tongue by changing the draw bar which will change the ball height. You also need to make sure it is far enough back so as not to interfere with opening the rear hatch.
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07-28-2016, 04:08 AM
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#11
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Member
Name: Paul
Trailer: Escape
British Columbia
Posts: 53
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tractors1
the fridge won't work as well (if at all) unless the average road ride is fairly level.
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I read somewhere in my fridge manual that level was only important when the trailer was parked. When on the road the swaying action of driving negated the need for the fridge to be level.
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07-28-2016, 05:39 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Name: Charles
Trailer: Scamp 16
Ohio
Posts: 295
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Tow as level as possible, then, you have no worries.
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07-28-2016, 09:11 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Name: Roger
Trailer: U Hall VT
Michigan
Posts: 438
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Just flip the insert over and see if that levels it out, or get one that will make it level.
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