calculating hitch drop

[anyfishlldo]

I just bought a new (to me) truck, an '04 Chevy K2500, this truck sits a little higher than my Tahoe which used to tow the boat. My question is on getting a new drop hitch for the reciever hitch. The Tahoe used a 2" drop but since the 3/4 ton is higher, does it make sense to just measure the distance from the ground to the reciever on each and add that much of a drop. If so it looks like the new truck sits 2" higher so a 4" drop hitch makes sense.

 

[jtexas]

Re: calculating hitch drop

Makes sense to me...but if there's a difference in hitch class (say, 2" receiver vs. 3") don't forget to account for that. You still have the Tahoe, or are ya just eyeballing it? If I tried that, I'd be so far off...course she's always telling me how bad I am at estimating length... <br /><br />welcome to iboats!

 

[BrianS.]

Re: calculating hitch drop

Measure the trailer ball height when it's level and go from there unless you know for a fact your old truck was right on the money.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: calculating hitch drop

with the trailer on level ground, and the trailer set level. measure from the bottom of the hitch to the ground. with truck on level ground measure from the ground to the inside edge of the bottom of the reciever. the difference of the two measurements is you drop. i don't know how far up you bow stop is, but if it is close to the front on the trailer, i would go with a longer reach. that is that the ball sits further out from the truck, giving you a little tighter turning radius. it's a pain if you can't lower the tailgate because of the bow stop.

 

[anyfishlldo]

Re: calculating hitch drop

Still have the Tahoe, and I measured both. Trailer sat level behind the Tahoe with the 2" drop.<br /><br />It didn't occur to me until just now to take into account the stiffer springs on the truck, they probably will not compress as much with the trailer weight on them.<br /><br />tashasdaddy: good call, I hadn't though about the tailgate, I'll measure that too. Should be OK though, I had no problem opening the Tahoe's barn doors though.<br /><br /><br />Thanks for the replies guys.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: calculating hitch drop

good luck, let us know how it works out.

 

[jlinder]

Re: calculating hitch drop

What about taking into consideration the drop in the truck once the trailer is connected?<br /><br />Would it be better to:<br />1. Measure the height from bottom of hitch to ground when it is level.<br />2. Connect trailer and measure again.<br />3. Difference is how much you have to change the drop of the hitch

 

[anyfishlldo]

Re: calculating hitch drop

Yeah, I think I'll pull it out from behind the fence and see how it sits on the 2" drop first and go from there. <br /><br />I still have to finish cleaning it inside and out for the first trip of the year this weekend (can't believe the wife is OK with taking the 1 month old out already!)

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: calculating hitch drop

break the kid in right, but keep out of the sun. i started mine early, now they have bigger and better boats than the old man. bought them theirselves even.

 

[anyfishlldo]

Re: calculating hitch drop

Small update:<br /><br />Took the boat out yesterday, they were out of 4" drops so I used a 3 1/4" which with spring compression seemed to work out pretty well, trailer sat at a very slight rear tilt but with good clearance at the outdrive. Rode very stable and the Duramax pulled it up the last nasty hill before the lake (approx. 8K feet elev.) like a champ.<br /><br />One month old slept in the cuddy all day, 2 year old tried her best to poke my eye out with a fishing pole all day.