|
 Topic: Trailer hitch advice
|
  |
06/4/2024 at 2:05pm
Location: London
Outfit: Lunar Cosmos 524
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 17/9/2015 Diamond Member 
Forum Posts: 2541
| Site Reviews Total: | 1 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 1 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 6 |
|
Modifying the tow bar/swan neck is dubious if not downright illegal, they are type approved and part of MOT check these days, plus it probably prevents its use for any other trailer, ball is meant to be a specified height.
A block (metal brick) between the trailer tow hitch and draw bar is a common mod, you can even buy the spacer off the shelf, usually castings or solid.
If a DIY 'box tube' spacer job, it needs tubular spacers inside that the bolts pass through to stop fixing bolts crushing it and becoming loose in service.
|
06/4/2024 at 3:05pm
Location: Lincs
Outfit: Coachman Wanderer 19
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 18/9/2013 Gold Member 
Forum Posts: 344
| Site Reviews Total: | 0 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
Just trying to think outside the box on this, what about larger diameter wheels, is that a possible ?
Or a spacer underneath the suspension units ?
...........
Andy
|
06/4/2024 at 4:21pm
Location: London
Outfit: Lunar Cosmos 524
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 17/9/2015 Diamond Member
Forum Posts: 2541
| Site Reviews Total: | 1 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 1 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 6 |
|
The err emm 'missing' 5 inch info does rather change the solution somewhat!
Huge spacer block under the hitch NOT perhaps really the best way to go. AndyDWs route of bigger wheels is also a well tried solution. Spacing the suspension units is not a bad idea either.
If those are not achievable, then a cut and weld 'Z' introduced into the trailer drawbar may be your other option. A fabricator or decent garage should be able to do that for you (definitely NEEDS decent welding!).
|
06/4/2024 at 4:33pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: None Entered
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 29/10/2005 Diamond Member
Forum Posts: 4490
| Site Reviews Total: | 0 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
If the trailer is type approved, made after 2012,then I think any mods of the type suggested aren't strictly permitted unless it has a new IVA test.
Not that I think anyone would bother unless there were an accident and Insurance/police got involved.
saxo1
|
06/4/2024 at 7:18pm
Location: Royal Forest of Dean
Outfit: Motorhome
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 17/10/2007 Diamond Member
Forum Posts: 3384
| Site Reviews Total: | 0 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
5 inches seems a hell of a lot to find.
What is the tow ball height when the towing vehicle is laden with luggage and passengers?
Is the swan neck a fixed one or is it removeable?
What is the towing vehicle?
Rob
|
06/4/2024 at 9:58pm
Location:
Outfit:
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 11/8/2016 Diamond Member
Forum Posts: 3150
| Site Reviews Total: | 3 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 3 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 15 |
|
i think part of your problem is being caused by the ball height of the towball, it should be 450mm to the center of the ball, yours is 3 inches taller to start with hence why the trailer is so low at the back end. i suggest you double check the fitting of the towbar.
|
06/4/2024 at 10:16pm
Location: West country
Outfit: Mondeo
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 23/8/2008 Diamond Member
Forum Posts: 4692
| Site Reviews Total: | 1 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
Car tow ball should be 350mm to 420mm with car laden. Yours is 508mm.
Trailer hitch height 355mm
|
08/4/2024 at 9:54am
Location:
Outfit:
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 21/4/2012 Gold Member
Forum Posts: 238
| Site Reviews Total: | 15 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 2 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 2 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 3 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 2 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 2 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 13 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 12 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 13 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 9 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 6 |
|
Personally I would go for fitting a standard spacer block to the hitch plus spacers under the suspension and even if need be different wheels.
The problem with welding is that it cannot then be altered if the towcar is changed whereas any bolt ons can be changed to suit.
|
|
via mobile 06/4/2024 at 1:12pm
