trailer question

[crb478]

Re: trailer question

If your problem is the height of the bumper makes the trailer scratch the top of the bumper you can probably get by using a raised ball. One that is about 2 inches taller than the ball you have now. That will give you a little more clearance and hopefully keep it from rubbing. The best fix would be to use some type of dropped hitch so the trailer will ride more level. Several good ones have already been suggested.

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: trailer question

If you have the itty bitty wheels (8" ??) on the trailer, maybe you can go up to 12" wheels

 

[Kellyfmtx]

Re: trailer question

Yes a dropped/lowered hitch...I don't think I could find a raised ball any higher than I already have. My bumper is deeper than most trucks, and that ball for the truck is a booger to find.

As far as tires, no I have four tires now. I had two on the trailer, and then a whole set for a spare. So I'd rather not go that route.

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: trailer question

Thanks guys. Well yes this does look involved. I knew it wouldn't be an easy thing. LOL. .....To make matters worse, there was no wiring done on the truck. I had to get that done, and it was splicing wires from hell. I didn't think the trailer guys were gonna figure it out for a while. It took them over an hour to wire it and have it running right. Thanks so much for your help.

I wouldn't go back to those trailer guys! They don't know what they are doing and ripped you off.

The wiring should have been EASY- you just buy a wire kit that plugs right in to the factory wiring harness- plug and play. But if it works now maybe you are OK.

The hitch box that silvertip mentioned is great but I am not sure if it will work with your set up. I have used them a lot though, but usually pay $40-$50-ish. Do you have a competent mechanically-inclined friend at work or at your church (if you attend church) that you can ask to help you out? Or the guy you mentioned; can you call him? I wish I could help you out as well as I am sure all those here who have replied, but mostly I am a little PO'd about the wiring deal You deserve better, and I am hoping for good safe solutions to the issues.

Probably you can get this done by yourself with instructions from those posters here who are more patient and articulate than I

What is the height from the pavement where the base of the ball currently rests on your bumper? The height of the base of where the ball sits is somewhat dependent on the trailer being towed, but 15" from the pavement to the hitch ball base flange usually is about right. Trailers with 8" tires sometimes want only 12" for the tailer to ride level, but you can get that with a drop.

 

[hipster dufus]

Re: trailer question

i think we have a little overkill here. i had a similar problem on my nissan. the ball just needed a washer between it and the bumper so that the lip on the trailer receiver would not dig into the plastic. the problem was on turns the lip on the trailer dug into the plastic insert on the bumper. u could remove the plastic insert.

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: trailer question

I think you still need to drop the overall height of the ball. It will make towing easier, hooking trailers up much easier, and wont do any further damage to your bumper. I don't want to stir up the bumper vs. receiver hitch thing but for overall flexability a receiver hitch is the only way to go. Yes for your boat it may be a little overkill but there may come a day when you need to haul something a bit more than what you have now. A receiver hitch mounts under the bumper right to the frame, with a slide in that is held in with a large pin. The ball is attached to the slide in which you only need to install when you tow. Otherwise the slide in is out and generally a cover is on the receiver opening. The slide ins can be anything from straight to 6" or more of drop, depending on how your trailer sits decides what if any drop to get. As I mentioned they sell them at auto parts stores reasonably priced and are not hard to install. I think the tools required are a few wrenches and a socket set, and an hour or two worth of time. I used thread locker on all of my nuts and bolts just for a bit of extra insurance. After the receiver hitch is installed all you need is the slide in that best fits your application. If you totally trash your bumper I guarantee it will be much more costly to replace than a good receiver hitch would be to buy. And I agree with the above, any trailer company should have NO problems getting you wired up I would find others who are more qualified.

 

[Kellyfmtx]

Re: trailer question

I decided to go with a hitch with receiver. To get it, the drop bar, pin, and install was right under three hundred bucks. As far as wiring it was not standard wiring, because of the amber light. They should of known how to do this, but for some reason did not. Surely they had a Toyota before mine. What is done is done. I got it on for a decent price. Luckily I asked the price BEFORE they started work. Otherwise I would of had to pay for their lack of ability to get it figured out in a timely manner.