Need to lower receiver hitch

[RMecum]

My Airstream has a hitch ball height of 18. 75". With my current truck/wheel combination and my hitch set on the lowest setting I'm still 2 inches too high. My plan is to put a 2 inch shim where the hitch mounts to the frame and lower the hitch platform. I was thinking of using 2 inch square steel for the shim.



I'd appreciate any thoughts from the forum... . if you think this is OK and since I'll need longer bolts, what kind of bolts do I ask for?



Thanks in advance



Mike

 

[WVanHemert]

2" solid or 2" square tube, if it is square tube you will need quite a thick wall to ensure you don't crush the tube, as well the bolts will now have quite a bit more torque on them. You would probably want to upsize the bolt size and grade as well.



However this is only my opinion, Instead I would go to a hitch place and have the tell you if they offer a better solutions to the problem.

 

[cojhl2]

Is this a receiver hitch? If so why don't you just go buy or have built a correct height insert to the receiver.



I never have known what they are called but its the square thingy that gizinta the receiver.

 

[RMecum]

I was planning on using 2 inch solid steel bar. I figure it would be a lot more stable and wouldn't crush.



I can't go with a longer shank on the "gozinta" because it's set down as far as it will go. I don't know if they make a weld together type that's any longer. Besides, I think the shims would be less expensive than having a welding shop fabricate a hitch head. .



Mike

 

[dclassens]

This may be a lot more work and money;That being said, raise the camper height. If I had your issue, I would make the truck and trailer a match set. I think this might be safer than a super long drop or raised hitch. Just my . 02.

Dave

 

[RMecum]

You can't raise an Airstream. I think it would look funny. And I wouldn't have anything else!



Mike

 

[Nate]

Sounds like you need to get a new ball mount that drops down enough.



Are you running a lifted truck??

 

[RMecum]

No lift, truck is stock 4x4... . it's the Airstream... they're low slung on torsion axels (No spring) and the hitch ball height needs to be 18. 75". I'll probably have to bite the bullet and go to a welder and have a custom drop made to get the ball where I need it... . PITA!



Mike

 

[lcaad1249]

With a stock truck I would think you could just get a 6 inch or so drop. My truck with 35's with a 4 inch drop receiver sits right around 18 inches. If not, could the mounth on the hitch of the trailer be moved up the necesary amout. I know some types are moveable.

 

[RMecum]

Found It!

I just did some research on the Reese website and there it was! A hitch drop one size lower than mine... . In all my research before buying the Reese Dual Cam hitch I never saw that there was one longer than mine... . size does matter in the case LOL Oo.



Thanks a lot to you all for setting me straight and most of all making me do it right!



Mike

 

[MChildress]

Something else you might look at is the reese titan v hitch. I put one on mine to pull a avion trailer. The hitch bolts up and sits right under my oem hitch. I told my wife I can pull two trailers now. The oem hitch on the 3rd gen scarred me being right on the end of the frame and not a whole lot of meat to them.

 

[MChessick]

I second the idea of the Reese Titan receiver. I have one on my 03 Dually. It is a great setup having both and makes the factory setup look pretty light duty. Good luck



Mark

 

[dclassens]

"can't raise an Airstream"... .

I think these days just about anything mechanical is possible. I have been a certified mechanic for almost 8 years and I have seen a lot of things accomplished that were more difficult than raising the height of a trailer. If you're trying to say "I can't raise an airstream", I see your point. I would never buy a truck that someone made their own hitch, with two inch solid steel,etc etc. There is a reason that Reese and other hitch manufactures don't do things this way. They are responsible for it. Good luck, I hope it works out!! Take it FWIW

Dave

 

[Gene Arnold]

Mike,



Seems as though you've got the problem solved. However, in case you need some advice from people who know Airstreams you might check out this site, www.airstreamforums.com.



For those who don't understand why Mike can't raise the Airstream: they have no springs. The axles are rubber filled steel and provide torsion suspension, providing the low profile.



Gen

 

[BrianJ]

I had an RV trailer with a torsion suspension and it can be done, but you have to go to a fabricator or weld shop. In my case I got an estimate from Cowboy Metals in Denver and it was going to cost $500-$1000 to do it. I believe they add spacers to the axle mounts on the frame to raise it up. That being said I decided against it, and I can see it defeating the purpose of having low profile Streamline by raising it, but it can be done.



Glad to hear you found the longer drop bar, that is the best solution. I had to go to a bigger Reese drop bar when I got the new Dodge, the factory hitch does sit pretty high. If I remember right my ball height is appx 19" with the RV in my sig. I don't even have the WD ball mount in the lowest hole, about 3-4 up.

 

[WDixon27]

something like what i did to my truck may be helpful, my flatbed didn't have a receiver to use a drop and is pretty tall which makes pulling small trailers a pain, so i found a nice thick drawtight and drilled it to be bolted on, i welded pieces of pipe in the holes to keep from crushing the receiver and bolted it up with 3/4" shank grade 5 bolts (would of gone grade 8 but didn't see the point as the 5s are already overkill) in a double row ( ' , ' ' , ' ) to resist twisting

#ad

 

[MMeier]

I second the idea of the Reese Titan receiver. I have one on my 03 Dually. It is a great setup having both and makes the factory setup look pretty light duty. Good luck



Mark

Anyone have a pic of what the Reese Titan set up looks like on an '03. Thinking of replacing the stocker on mine before something bad happens.