PeterB

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On my previous 2000 Limited the electrical, hitch receiver was OEM from Chrysler. On this 02 its aftermarket with no wiring? I went ahead and had the wiring done by a trailer place so it be right with no surprises yet had not installed the draw bar, pintle into it.

When doing so yesterday it appeared that it was much lower than it should be, even if I turned the draw bar around and swapped the tow ball around.
I may have to look at other pintle options...

? Not sure if you want the towing vehicle, a 18' 3500lb glass fishing boat, trailer/gear approx 5k to be up a little at the draw bar or perfectly even ?

I believe the weight needs to be on the truck and not to towing vehicle?

This brings up another concern on an 02 with 12 yr old rear springs... Drooping rear end with trailer weight on her?

Any suggestion are appreciated. Thank you.



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SusannaDana had no idea what I was referring to high/low sideways, up/down...

It was all Chinese to her than again it din't matter as long as she is here with us to help brighten our day



In the meantime I'll look around and see whats what on the web.

That said, there's no substitute from someone on a Forum such as this who has insights to share on their personal experience, knowledge & wisdom.

To you Tech Savvy guys that do this everyday without expecting anything in return. Thank You.
We applaud you. Props out to you gentlemen.

Enjoy your day. Thank you.

PeterB.


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fishbone

I dont know much about towing requirements but I will say this: if I see another picture of that friggin Overlander again or have to read through another one of these long winded on topic/off topic posts, I am going to puke so hard you'll feel the fallout from my projectile vomit all the way in Chicago!!!

dave1123

Peter, The most important part of towing ANY rig is to have it balanced properly. To do this, you have to adjust the weight on the tongue to about 250 lbs. To do this, you have to put a scale under the hitch, blocked up with the frame level. Load your gear into the boat the way you always will and then move the boat back and forth until you achieve this weight. Then adjust the cradle to support the boat in that position. This tongue weight allows the trailer to track easily behind the towing vehicle without overloading the springs. With outboard motors, lower the unit and secure it with straps. If you drastically change your rig, as in going to a bigger motor, you'll have to re-balance it.

After balancing the trailer, then you can worry about your hitch height. It should be set to maintain a level trailer. Most of the factory installed hitches I've seen are higher than yours, using a cut-out in the bumper fascia. Worst case, you'll have to get a special drawbar insert or an adjustable one.

This info comes from many experiences living on Narragansett Bay, RI where 75% of the residents own boats of one sort or another.

BTW, I've seen guys make a cool hitch insert for when they're not towing their boat. It involves mounting a brass 3-bladed prop on ball bearings, allowing it to spin in the wind. There probably is a plastic unit available by now.

PeterB

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That's great information Dave. I'll look into doing just so. Thank you very much.

dave1123

Peter, you'd do best to can the pics and stay on topic. You're making enemys here and that's not good. I think you've lost Fishbone.

po0dingles

I like the pics!

What happened to the days when men had calendar girls hanging in their garage?

Peter you belong on the Joe Rogan forum.

dave1123

Women's Lib changed all that. It's considered pornography now. I still like them, though. I had one of those clear coffee cups with the advertizing inside. I popped it apart and put a Playboy bunny in it. The boss got upset and told me I couldn't use it in the shop. Bummer.

PeterB

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Scotch drinker.

Coffee mug bunny womanizer.

Often imitated. Never duplicated.

The One and Only, The Original......................... FrenchDragon!

Puck your old boss Dave!

Life's too short.

Stay thirsty my friend.

Wink

Enjoy your Holiday Bud

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PeterB

Bustedback

Remember the Snap-on clocks in the 80's? Those were some good times, then the womynz had to kill our good time, but they still have their hunky firemen calendars hanging in their cubical.

dave1123

Yeah, and my wife got a subscription to "Playgirl" just to **** me off!

Bustedback

Those guys are all friends of Dorothy, if you know what I mean...gay.

dave1123

Well she only did it to make me take down my Snap-on and Rigid calenders.

PeterB

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Here's the visuals on the dilemma;

I have some ideas but thought to run it past you towing experienced prior to making any decisions on anything.

As you probably already know Ranger glass trailers are build well (one at a time as their moto states) and balanced from the factory.

Although there are settings where the cradle can be moved & adjusted if desired.

I'm of the opinion may not be necessary (it tracked well on my previous 00 WJ Limited 4.7) ?



Here's a good view of the main ordeal. Note; you can tell from the photo above that the trailer jack is elevated so a few inches minus the 12" seen here can be compensated for a level rig. Lets call it 8" gap remains from the trailer latch to the tow ball itself



At the UHaul's in Chicago they sell a variety of adapters. Perhaps one of these will help ...




This one may be just right but appears to be an overkill?

Is it safe to tow with one of these draw bars with the tow ball on the opposite side like so? Or will the trailer be more apt to sway under high winds or 60/65mph speeds?



There's a scratch up one there they will sell me for 50%. I let'm know I would consider it after I contemplated it a bit.

They refer to it as a 7 3/4'' drop yet I would use it to gain and not drop? Is this safe?



Now I have considered based on costs if perhaps adding a new set of springs ($60 pair) would be the way to gain some height? Its an 02 with 12 year old springs its bound to drop and sag in the rear when the trailer 250lbs get on her yes? The coil shocks run $120 a pair. So for a couple hundred I could revive the rear to new standard yet economically its a stretch for me now. Maybe do one vs the other? Would that be a better option ?

It will also stiffen my ride a bit more correct? I really don't like a stiff bouncy truck ride.

Btw I also tried to remove the previous tow ball from my old draw bar to turn it over and gain 2 to 3". Foggetabouit after ten years its bound together as one. Only way was to stop by a friends shop and have one of the guys Jose heat it and try it. Jose got it to move and off but afterwards it would not thread right to tighten all the way. Ended up cutting it off and tossing it.



I'll be needing a new 2" tow ball. I was able to save my old draw bar.

Perhaps if I do the new spring route I can still use it in the reverse position (of photo II).



I would be grateful for any thoughts or suggestions.

If anyone else has any towing experience information on this please chime in.

Thank you very much.

PeterB.




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PS. After looking at Jose's torch, saws all, rust penetrant and all that heat at the mechanics shop,

I'm sure you'll agree a refreshing soothing thought for the rest of the morning is more than in order...

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Here's a smooch for all your kind help FrenchDragon

Beg your pardon?

OhNooooo.

Not from me buddy but from

Mona.

As in...

Mona Alissa !



Enjoy your day good Sir

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kennzz05

seems like you will be using the 8 in (drop/gain) hitch, as obviously you arent going to gain 8 inches by doing the springs. seems like you are in a buy it and try it situation

PeterB

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Good morning-

Thank you Ken. You're right it appears so sir.

I'll have to pick it up and tow it around see how she handles.

I'm not sure I like the looks of it? Do you think its safe to tow a 3500lb rig on that reversed 7 3/4" adapter?

Thank you. GooAy.



Btw Congrats on your 98's mileage Ken. My 00 WJ had just over 310k on her from origin. I got in to a low speed 3 car collision this past New Years Day during a snow storm here in Chicago. State Farm Insurance would not invest the $2k repair so it was retired. Thus the beginning of all my current repair woes.

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