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I'm planning an interstate move in a few months and I'm expecting to do some of the moving myself. It appears U-Haul is my only option for one-way rentals, so I'll probably use one of their 6' x 12' enclosed trailers. My question: What is a good hitch height? I was thinking a 1-2" ball rise would be about right for my steel sprung GLE450. Thoughts?
After additional searching I found what I was looking for. If anybody is interested, U-Haul recommends that the centerline of the hitch ball be 18.5 to 18.75" off the ground. If my math is correct a hitch with a 2" rise will put me right in that range. Curt makes an all-welded unit that should be ideal.
Here are photos of my hitch with heights and lengths. Air suspension, comfort setting. With air, The suspension becomes static as soon as the 7 or 4 pin connector is attached.
There are adjustable height ball hitches. They tend to be expensive and maybe not practicable for one-time use, but you might ask the UHaul dealer if one can be rented along with the trailer.
There are adjustable height ball hitches. They tend to be expensive and maybe not practicable for one-time use, but you might ask the UHaul dealer if one can be rented along with the trailer.
My U-Haul doesn't rent hitches, but they sell them. One very similar to Mikapen's is $30. It's 7500# capacity with a 2" drop, or inverted it gives you 3/4" to 1" rise. I really want a 1" rise with a welded ball but I can't find one. The fully adjustable units are overkill for my needs.
My U-Haul doesn't rent hitches, but they sell them. One very similar to Mikapen's is $30. It's 7500# capacity with a 2" drop, or inverted it gives you 3/4" to 1" rise. I really want a 1" rise with a welded ball but I can't find one. The fully adjustable units are overkill for my needs.
That ball mount will work just fine. There's no real need for a welded ball, but you will want to apply sufficient torque when you invert the stinger.
The general rule is for a 3/4" shank tighten to 150 ft/lbs For a 1" shank tighten to 250 ft/lbs, and for a 1-1/4 inch shank 450 ft/lbs (from e-Trailer).
You can do this by putting the mount in the receiver 90* to one side and levering up (or sitting on) a 1 foot (I use 18") extension (cheater) bar. (For a 1" shank, use a 1 foot cheater, stand on a scale and lift up until the scale adds 250 lbs, (166 lbs with an 18" bar).
You could also shop at e-trailer, https://www.etrailer.com/s.aspx?qry=...-Drop_~_2_Inch
or a hardware or parts store, or Tractor Supply if there's one near you.
I bought a ball mount (stinger, other names) at Camping World and they inverted the ball and torqued it for free.
5,000# capacity is also fine for that trailer. It maxes out at 4,400# I think.
I decided to go with the Curt 2" rise welded. 7500# rating costs a buck more than the 5000# unit, so it's kind of a no-brainer upgrade. Center of ball measures 18.5" unladen, which is right at the U-Haul recommended height. (Interesting how much lower my steel sprung 450 sits than Mikapen's air sprung 580.) I expect it to squat an about 1/2 to 1" when the trunk is loaded. I should be good to go.
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