7 or 8" drop hitch

[stg2500]

Does anyone know where to purchase a 7" or 8" drop hitch with a capacity greater than 5,000 lbs? I have found a solid 6" drop hitch but it is not enough of a drop. I have a 7000 GVW flat bed trailer that does not sit level with the 6" drop. The trailer dealer that I went to did not have one in stock and was not able to order one with higher capacity. If they are not available what can be done?

 

[QRTRHRS]

Call 1-800-932-8373. They offer a couple of choices. They carry the Shelton adjustable, 8" drop, 12" or 14" length, 6k rated.



They carry the Putnam adjustable but that is a 10" drop. It is available in 8k or a 10k rating. The 10k has an inch and a quarter ball hole.

 

[NVR FNSH]

Sort of on topic... .



Does anybody know what amount of drop the factory receiver is rated for at 10K.



Brian

 

[stg2500]

One additional comment. I would prefer a hitch with the 1 1/4" ball hole.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Originally posted by NVR FNSH

Sort of on topic... .



Does anybody know what amount of drop the factory receiver is rated for at 10K.



Brian

To the best of my knowledge, hitches are only ever rated by gross trailer and tongue weight with or without distributing. Drop hitches don't reduce that rating per sey.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

Draw tite makes a solid class V 8" drop rated at 10,000/1,000 with a 1 1/4" hole. Here's a link - http://www.drawtite.com/ballmounts 3 & 4.htm . That's what I'm using on my truck along with a Draw-tite Ultra Frame class V hitch to tow my 8,500 lb TT. Keep in mind that if your using the factory hitch that it's only rated to 5,000 lbs unless you are using a weight distributing hitch - that's why I upgraded to the draw-tite.

 

[stg2500]

Steve,



That is what I was trying to avoid. I really didn't want to have to change out the hitch. Is the larger hitch a direct bolt on? Where would the trailer electrical connector be relocated to?

 

[keimmmo]

I hunted around and found some 2 X 2 solid stock and welded up my own hitch block. I've towed about 8,000 pounds with it many times, so I guess it works.



Steve

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

It is a bolt up but you have to open up the stock holes some. I can't recall exactly but I think the stock holes were 1/2" and you have to drill them out to 5/8".

 

[Todd G]

The Reese Titan has a 1 1/4 hole and I have a 8" drop hitch that says right on it 10,000 lbs. It is one heavy chunk of steel! The reciever is 2 1/2" and is rated at 10,000 and 14,000 weight-distributing.

 

[NVR FNSH]

Originally posted by QRTRHRS

To the best of my knowledge, hitches are only ever rated by gross trailer and tongue weight with or without distributing. Drop hitches don't reduce that rating per sey.

The longer the drop the greater the moment on the center tube & associated welds. It definitely changes the loading but I don't think it's enough to really worry about unless the drop gets ridiculous - ~15" or more. Just wondering out loud.....



Brian

 

[QRTRHRS]

Brian,



Your right about the added stresses. This is where overkill is worth the extra money. I have the Putnam class V because it more than adequate for my bumper pull needs. Over that, I would go to the Titan.



That Titan drop is impressive. The only thing is the fixed part. If your in the market and the adjustable drop will work, I highly recommend it for users with multiple applications. When you have occasion to load up the truck, it's nice to be able to level out the trailer.

 

[MarkF]

I just got exactly what you are lookng for from A&W Direct. An adjustable Putnam rated for 10K with lots of drop. If you do a search you will find their web sight. I got a whole pile of trailer and towing stuff from them last week. Their customer service is superior, and I got my parts overnight! I'm in MA and they are in CT so shipping is quick.

M

 

[dan_gilson]

Here is an adjustible that is rated at 10K. It has just about everything you could want.



Roto-eze:

http://www2.cnewsusa.com/ads/22029.html



Choices are Red or Black. The paint is powder coated. Really nicely put together.



Also nice people to deal with too. I dropped by and received a 5 minute class on how everything worked and a couple of suggestions on how to lock it all up.

 

[MarkF]

I'd run that roto-eze hitch linked above just to see all the carnage on whats left of the honda that rear-ends me!! I looked at that one when I was shopping around for my 10k rated extra drop hitch. It is quite heavy, and would replace 3 other recievers I have already set up for 2 boat trailers and a yard trailer. Too much invested in the others to mothball em. But its nice. Here's the one I got, I bought the 10K one http://www.awdirect.com/awdirect/catalog.cfm?dest=itempg&itemid=370&secid=73&linkon=subsection&linkid=57