How much drop?

Mr._Graybeard · May 4, 2014

This is probably an easy question for someone who knows that they're doing -- unlike me.

I have a 2005 FX4 with Class III hitch. I just picked up a heavy-duty 5x8 trailer to haul fuel home for my pellet burner. I brought home a ton today and noticed that the trailer deck isn't quite flat. I think I'll probably need to get a hitch bar with at least a 3-inch drop vs. the 2-inch drop I have. The trailer has 14-inch wheels, BTW.

Any thoughts? Thank you kindly.

muzzlestuffer · May 4, 2014

it's all about trailer hitch weight and how you distribute the weight on the trailer i believe you should be about 400 pounds max on the tongue. i trailer a coleman e-3 trailer which is about 2800 pounds dry. so you want your drop to level out your trailer with the weight you have on it at the time. if you you get your front end up too high you will have trouble steering on corners or fast bends.

SenorNoob · May 4, 2014

More costly but you might be able to put larger wheels and tires on the trailer, depending on how the fenders sit now. BTW, if you wanna do this, most trailers use the same lug pattern as our trucks. I once had a truck with trailer wheels all around.

Mr._Graybeard · May 6, 2014

Thanks for your opinions gents. The trailer is 20 years old but the tires and wheels are brand new, so I think I'll stick with them. I'll go shopping for a new drawbar instead. That should level things out.

muzzlestuffer · May 9, 2014

your welcome i hope i made a little sense there fyi i have several drop arms of different heights so i can adjust the level of what i'm towing and keep the hitch weight where i want it or you will push thru the corners if your front is up too high ! good luck

Mickey Bitsko · May 10, 2014

Mr._Graybeard said:
This is probably an easy question for someone who knows that they're doing -- unlike me.

I have a 2005 FX4 with Class III hitch. I just picked up a heavy-duty 5x8 trailer to haul fuel home for my pellet burner. I brought home a ton today and noticed that the trailer deck isn't quite flat. I think I'll probably need to get a hitch bar with at least a 3-inch drop vs. the 2-inch drop I have. The trailer has 14-inch wheels, BTW.

Any thoughts? Thank you kindly.

place your trailer on the level, measure from the ground to top of the inside the hitch where the ball sits, probably somewhere around 17" then take that measurement to your truck sitting on the level and measure up to the trail hitch height , The difference from the bottom of your truck receiver to trailer measurement is your drop.
Hope thats not too confusing. It would very difficult to measure the trailer loaded and have it pull level, it would depend on carrying the same weight all the time. Make sure the trailer is loaded with weight distributed evenly. :icon_thumby:

Mr._Graybeard · May 17, 2014

Mickey Bitsko said:
place your trailer on the level, measure from the ground to top of the inside the hitch where the ball sits, probably somewhere around 17" then take that measurement to your truck sitting on the level and measure up to the trail hitch height , The difference from the bottom of your truck receiver to trailer measurement is your drop.
Hope thats not too confusing. It would very difficult to measure the trailer loaded and have it pull level, it would depend on carrying the same weight all the time. Make sure the trailer is loaded with weight distributed evenly.

I'll give that a try tomorrow -- thanks.

Mr._Graybeard · Jan 21, 2015

Just an update -- after running with the trailer hauling several 1-ton loads I found that Muzzlestuffer's advice worked for me. Having the load forward of the trailer axle levels the trailer out, and, I think, contributes to a more stable ride. Again, thanks.

alwaysFlOoReD · Jan 21, 2015

Thanks for update.

sent while sitting on the throne

How much drop?

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