Drop hitch question

Nightfisher · **Joined:** Mon Oct 25, 2010 9:35 pm **Posts:** 122

How much of a drop am I going to need to clear the spare tire? I have a 2" drop hitch, but it does not look like it will be enough to clear the tire when hooking up the boat trailer. Should I get an extended hitch to clear the spare, or drop lower and risk having the trailer get out of level. Just wondering what the general consensus is on the subject. I could always take the spare off whenever i trailer the boat, like was suggested in another posting, but I would rather be able to just hook up and go.

tommudd · **Posted:** Mon Nov 22, 2010 11:56 pm

First you want the trailer sitting level, so you need to start there, dropping the front down lower will make it tow worse.
So you have to go with what works for your height.
I don't like extended hitches, it extends that break over point out more with more leverage on the hitch.
Only takes 2 minutes to remove the tire, I did that until I lifted.
You could always install a lift and then you'd be fine. With my KK hitch, cut bumper I have to run a 3 for some and for some a 4 inch drop for my trailers :ROTFL:

Nightfisher · **Joined:** Mon Oct 25, 2010 9:35 pm **Posts:** 122

Yea, I think tire removal might be my best option for now. I don't like the idea of extending the hitch either. My trailer already lines up pretty level with no drop. I wish I could afford to do a lift right now. Just bought the hitch and ordered a bull bar and with Christmas coming up my budget is shot for the time being.

tommudd · **Posted:** Tue Nov 23, 2010 8:53 am

Lift would be WAY better than a bull bar
better handling when towing, better ride around town and off road etc
Bullbar= looks is all
:2cents:

TAHOE · **Posted:** Tue Nov 23, 2010 9:45 am

Have you removed and flip the tire holder upside down yet? I believe that is supposed to push tire up and give another inch or so of clearance???

LibertyCRD · **Posted:** Tue Nov 23, 2010 10:30 am

I went to ontheball.com and ordered a 14" ball mount. It puts the ball out far enough to clear the spare tire. I've towed up to 7,000 lbs. more than once with zero trouble. I seriously doubt your boat is going to create an issue.

You don't want a drop... you want a longer ball mount.

devlish · **Joined:** Thu Sep 30, 2010 10:50 am **Posts:** 163

i have a 2.5" LIFT & larger tires, and a 2" drop hitch was not enough to clear the stock spare tire. I ended up with a 4" drop and that fits perfectly. it will fit fine as well once the i get the larger spare on there to match the other tires as well.

there were 2 different styles of 4" drop at the local Fleet Farm... i got the one that extended about 1.5" further back as well. i wouldn't get a long extension, but this seems to be just right for me.

Nightfisher · **Joined:** Mon Oct 25, 2010 9:35 pm **Posts:** 122

Got it.

I swapped the broken brake coupler that was on the trailer for a standard 2" one. The trailer was originally for a 23' center console, but now is used for a much smaller 19' dual console. The brakes were non existent when I bought the trailer anyways- calipers rusted to the point of crumbling, missing parts, no fluid in the coupler. With the chunky brake coupler removed and the smaller coupler on there my 2" drop hitch works perfectly as far as having the trailer level and having enough clearance to hook up with the tire on. The only thing I don't like is lining up on it to hook up. Way trickier than the pickup was, and no backstop like I had with a steel bumper over my old hitch on the pickup. If I go too far with the jeep I'm gonna be banging plastic and paint. :shock:

As soon as my new shorty antenna gets here I'm gonna rig up a guide/target that I can see through the back glass with the old jeep antenna and a magnet. :idea:

Drop hitch question

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