Post by shoestring on Apr 6, 2014 14:41:49 GMT -5
I am wondering if anyone knows the correct ball height for a 2012 Sportsmen Classic 170? My ball height dilemma is the result of the purchase of a new truck. Last year I towed the trailer with a 1999 Dodge Dakota. The 3.9L did the job, but I ain't no dummy; When I had the chance to upgrade to a 2013 RAM 1500...yes say it with me...HEMI.... I jumped.
As you can imagine, the Hitch on the Dakota was inverted in order to raise the ball to the correct towing height. Now, the hitch will need to have a drop in order to get the trailer level. Unfortunately I was unable to check the ball height prior to the truck swap.
I know in theory that I can put the trailer on level ground, level the unit, then check the tongue height. I could then transfer that height to the ball. Minus a little drop of the truck suspension ( which would be minimal considering the unit/truck & the help of a weight distribution hitch) I would be set to travel.
Problem is.... the trailer is not sitting on anything close to level ground. Since I am afraid that the height difference would be overwhelming, most likely resulting in the rear bumper dragging, I am hesitant to attempt to move it to a more suitable location. Nor do I wish to fiddle with said weight distribution hitch to get it "close enough", only to redo it again after getting it to level ground.
The trailer does sit level on the unlevel drive; So, I am sure I could take a level and tape measure to the rear wheel....do some inverted measuring to a higher spot on the trailer, do some fancy math to obtain ball height, etc.........
But that seems like a lot of work if someone out there has a 2102 Sportsmen 170 that they tow LEVEL, and could place their TV on level ground and tell me a measurement to the top of the ball.
As you can imagine, the Hitch on the Dakota was inverted in order to raise the ball to the correct towing height. Now, the hitch will need to have a drop in order to get the trailer level. Unfortunately I was unable to check the ball height prior to the truck swap.
I know in theory that I can put the trailer on level ground, level the unit, then check the tongue height. I could then transfer that height to the ball. Minus a little drop of the truck suspension ( which would be minimal considering the unit/truck & the help of a weight distribution hitch) I would be set to travel.
Problem is.... the trailer is not sitting on anything close to level ground. Since I am afraid that the height difference would be overwhelming, most likely resulting in the rear bumper dragging, I am hesitant to attempt to move it to a more suitable location. Nor do I wish to fiddle with said weight distribution hitch to get it "close enough", only to redo it again after getting it to level ground.
The trailer does sit level on the unlevel drive; So, I am sure I could take a level and tape measure to the rear wheel....do some inverted measuring to a higher spot on the trailer, do some fancy math to obtain ball height, etc.........
But that seems like a lot of work if someone out there has a 2102 Sportsmen 170 that they tow LEVEL, and could place their TV on level ground and tell me a measurement to the top of the ball.
