Can a Trailer Ride With the Tongue at an Upward or Downward Angle

Question

Question:

I recently lifted my trailer and it now looks like I need between an 8 and a 10 to tow my trailer. I think the 8 might make the trailer coupler slightly higher than level. Does this cause a problem?

asked by: Randy

0

Expert Reply:

Yes, a trailer that is nose up can cause big problems. A level trailer is ideal and worth working toward for safety. The good news is that you can get the trailer almost exactly level with switching ball mounts. This is where an adjustable ball mount like Convert-a-Ball # TK5007 comes in handy.

If you are unable to achieve level even with an adjustable ball mount, it is better for the trailer to be slightly nose down so long as the tongue weight capacity of the hitch and vehicle is not exceeded. If a trailer is nose up too much, the tongue weight is low enough that the trailer may begin to sway.

So in short, level is best. If level is not possible, then try to go slightly nose down. Slightly nose up can be fine, but keep an eye out for trailer sway.

You can view some additional information on towing a trailer at the links provided.

expert reply by: Patrick B

0

Martin N.

3/3/2020

Will increasing the towball height on the towing vehicle decrease noseweight on a twin axle trailer or does this only apply to single axle ones?Thanks.

Reply

Chris R.

3/4/2020

Towing a tandem axle trailer nose high could potentially lead to sway and more weight on the rear tires and axle just like a single axle unit. Regardless of the trailer size it's always best to tow as level as you can. If the ball height was raised on the truck because of a new lift (or new truck), then I recommend countering it with a new ball mount that provides the needed drop to match the coupler height.

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Joe

9/20/2020

Does the hitch hight have anything to do with backing up a short trailer i been back up trailers for years but this trailer is hard to back its a high but not bad

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Jon G.

9/21/2020

@Joe I mean you want to have your trailer leveled out (which is the point of having an adjustable ball mount) so if it is pretty uneven then that would probably be contributing to difficulty backing up. With that being said, if you've only backed up longer trailers then backing up a short trailer will be more difficult simply because any turning will be more aggressive because of how close the trailer axle is.

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See All (4) Replies to Martin N. ∨

Answer 1

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Answer 2

Curt recommends the use of 250 ft/lbs of torque when tightening the nuts of their hitch balls with a 1 inch diameter shank like the part #C40034 that you referenced. The general rule is for a 3/4" shank tighten to 150 ft/lbs For a 1" shank…

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Answer 3

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Answer 4

I'm assuming that you are asking about length of the ball mount and not the drop or rise. The Convert-A-Ball Ball Mount for 2" Hitches #AMSC4 is 12 1/4 inches in length from the end of the shank to the center of the ball hole, and 9…

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Answer 5

We don't have a combo of the Curt Hitch Ball #C40008 and Curt Ball Mount #C45340. The ball mount is extremely heavy-duty, rated up to 17,000 pounds. I think it's safe to assume you don't have a torque wrench rated up to 450 foot pounds…

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Answer 6

This Cushioned Ball Mount, part #AMSC4, has a ball mount hole that measures 1 inch in diameter. If you are looking for a ball with a 1 inch shank that also has a 10,000 lb capacity I would recommend the Convert-A-Ball Interchangeable Ball Set, part…

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Answer 7

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Answer 8

I recommend using the 1,000LB SumoSprings Solo Custom Helper Springs #SS88UV on your 2023 Ford F-150. Since your weight distribution hitch is redistributing most of the tongue weight from your trailer across your truck they will not have as much…

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Answer 10

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Answer 11

If the nose of your trailer is nose down when hooked up to your vehicle it will cause additional tongue weight on the hitch which could in theory lower your fuel economy, but I do not have an exact figure. As long as the extra tongue weight on the…

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Answer 12

You will need to use a cheater bar on the end of the wrench to get enough leverage to loosen the nut on the ball on ball mount #C45036. Chances are the crescent wrench has a wide and flat handle so you will likely need to go to a hardware store to…

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Can a Trailer Ride With the Tongue at an Upward or Downward Angle

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