Needing some hitching advice!

Janalee · 08-04-2011, 04:14 PM

Last year when we bought the large,heavy Wildwood, I had an extra leaf spring installed on my Chevy Express van..now have the lighter (BY FAR!) Sunny 2363 and can't get them synced to tow--wondering if I am trying to get it toooo close to specs..Before connecting, my TT hitch height is 17 1/2 ",19 1/2" ball height on van (can't adjust any lower). Unhitched the rear van wheelwell measures 32 in.,Frt. 29"( due to that added spring). Hitched with either of 6 or 7 links hanging free, the R. van wheelwell is 30 1/2",frt. 29 1/2"--TT always stays 17 1/2" from ground in front, and 16 " from ground in rear. Hoping someone will tell me I am within specs so I can stop worrying and travel on! I can't hitch the bars up higher or will be hitting the frame as at 7 links I am very close. I can remove the added leaf spring,I guess, if I have to but wonder if it would open a can of worms after towing such a heavy trailer and maybe affecting the remaining leaf springs. The rig tows great the way it is..but I would hate to hurt my van or equipment although is a small amount..input would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, Janalee!!!

Steve Collins · 08-04-2011, 05:01 PM

Is that van a 2500 or 3500?

Janalee · 08-04-2011, 05:34 PM

It is a Chevy Express 1500,fully equipped to tow--rating on it is 6400 lbs. Have used this type of van for years for towing with great results.

Steve Collins · 08-04-2011, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janalee

It is a Chevy Express 1500,fully equipped to tow--rating on it is 6400 lbs. Have used this type of van for years for towing with great results.

Rather than pull that extra spring, why not buy a deep drop shank so that you can move the ball platform low enough to match up with the trailer? The shank would be cheaper than shop time to remove the spring, and then you'd have both a standard and deep shank for the future.

I picked up a deep drop shank years ago and never thought I would use it until we bought the duallie. The rear end on it sits so high that a regular shank is useless. Pretty much the same situation with your van and the 2363.

**JohnB** · 08-04-2011, 08:01 PM

Janalee

If you are 1 1/2" nose high on the TT that is too high from my point of view. It adds more load to the rear axle being that high. When the TT is level both axles share more equal loading. Issues will not come immediately from being 1 1/2" high but in time it will.

Nose high that much can on some TT & TV combinations aggravate sway in wind. The wind coming at the front side of the camper on nose high can create a disturbance more that high then being closer to level. If may take the right condtions but when it does, you will know.

Steve is right on with a longer drop shank. If you need help picking one post some pic's of what you have and we can find one on line that you can either buy on line or go to a local trailer place. A new drop shank can be in the $125 range. Sometimes more sometimes less pending brand and what you need.

Here are some etrailer.com - shank

It can be confusing sometimes to figure out the drop but pic's in this case really help to know what it is you have.

Hope this helps

John

Janalee · 08-05-2011, 04:49 AM

Thanks guys for your responses...My shank could be turned over with the same results for a drop,but I was afraid I may drag the ground on some situations..I will take a look at that later today.