Solutions for Towing Trailer With Very Low Ground Clearance Under Trailer Ball

Question

Question:

I purchased a new vehicle and the hitch height was different so I needed to add some . With the truck and the trailer on level ground I determined I needed a 12inch . I received the 12inch etrailer and hooked everything up. The trailer is level but I only have 4inch of ground clearance from the nut that holds the ball on to the ground. I suspect that I will need to sacrifice trailer level for ground clearnace?

asked by: Timothy W

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Expert Reply:

Wow, your truck must have quite a lift and the trailer coupler height must be super-low!

4 inches of ground clearance under the hitch ball isn't sufficient. There are things you can do with the suspension on the trailer to raise its height. If the leaf springs are currently mounted to the underside of the axle, you can use an over/under conversion kits like # K71-384-00 for a 2-3/8 inch or # K71-385-00 for a 3 inch diameter axle beam, but you're only going to gain the diameter of the axle as a height increase. If this was combined with taller leaf spring hangers, this would provide a nominal height increase. You can also tow the trailer 1 to 2 inches above level without too much issue.

Combining these methods would provide some much needed clearance, but I'd personally be leery about towing something with less than 8 or so inches under the trailer ball. Depending on the axle/suspension set up, there might be a lift kit available as well. If you could reply letting me know if you have a leaf spring or torsion axle, and whatever details you can find on the axle sticker I might be able to suggest a lift kit that would work.

expert reply by: Mike L

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Answer 1

When using an over/under conversion kit such as #K71-384-00 to add ground clearance to a trailer the amount of height gained will the diameter of the axle plus the thickness of the leaf spring stack at the axle. So for example if your axle is 2-3/8…

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Answer 2

I do have an option for you but there aren't any custom fit trailer hitch options for a 2006 Thomas School Bus. That said, we do still have universal options which can be installed either via welding or cutting/drilling. For this, I recommend…

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Answer 3

For your application you'll need to go with a universal-type hitch like the Multi-Fit Motorhome Trailer Hitch #5350 which fits a 24" - 46" wide RV chassis. If this doesn't fit your specs I'm linking our…

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Answer 4

I am not aware of any legally mandated minimum ground clearance requirement for trailer hitch receivers in any states and my online research did not reveal any such laws. However, I did find on an internet forum for Sienna owners posts related to…

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Answer 5

Part #D-4 is a ball mount and not a hitch. When installed in a 2 inch trailer hitch the bottom of it will be roughly an inch below the bottom of the receiver. When we installed Draw-Tite trailer hitch #75650 on a 2009 Subaru Forester we found that…

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Answer 6

My recommendation would be to update all the axle components on your 1983 Rice Horse Trailer. Once an axle is bent there really is no repairing the axle and things will only tend to get worse. I haven't been able to find any information on your…

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Answer 7

The start capacitor #FR45FR is designed to store energy that will allow you to start your AC unit when there is not enough power available otherwise; I suppose it's similar to a soft start like you've referred to. Whether or not you can run 2…

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Answer 8

It depends on how much clearance you currently have around your wheels. Ideally, you should have 3 inches minimum clearance between your fender and your wheels and an inch minimum between your sidewall and trailer frame/wall. As your wheel size…

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Answer 9

Yes when you do an over-under kit you have to weld the seats to the axle for it to be installed properly. It is recommended to tack weld the new spring seats into place but a complete weld job is not required when installing the over-under conversion…

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Answer 10

The Kenda 5.70-8 Bias Trailer Tire with 8-inch White Wheel #AM30120 has an overall diameter of just over 18-inches so for a fender you will want to use one of those shown on the linked page. These fenders fit this 8-inch size trailer wheel. You have…

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Answer 11

I reached out to B&W, who was able to give me the overall height and width of the B&W Tow & Stow 3-Ball Mount #BW54FR. They told me that overall, this ball mount measured 13-3/4 inches tall and 14 inches wide with the hitch balls in the…

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Answer 12

The Curt Pintle Hook with 2-5/16" Ball - 2-1/2" Hitches - 20,000 lbs #C45908 can be latched and locked in the up position to allow you to use a standard coupler with the hitch ball. I've attached a video to assist.

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