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Hitch Height


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I think my hitch is too low. I have an '05 R-LXi on an Extreme tandem axel trailer with disc brakes on the rear wheels. It's really close to level, but it just a touch low towards the tongue. The reason I think it might be an issue is the rear trailer axel brakes tend to lock up really easily. It is really easy to lock up when the boat is off of the trailer. I don't know if there is a way to adjust the trailer's surge brake or if bringing the front up and putting more weight on the rear wheels would solve the problem. Does anyone know what the ideal hitch ball height is?

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It sounds like you have surge brakes, and if that is the case...

there is a pin (or a slot for a pin) that you should be able to block to disable the brakes. I would think that it should not be that big of a deal to disable the brakes when you are empty. It would also make sense that the brakes are engaging if you are too low, as the surge brakes would be activated (similar to if you were going down a hill).

If it is truly sitting too low, you should be able to get a hitch with a lower drop or a rise hitch to go into the reciever on your vehicle, this would allow the trailer to be leveled out!

I think my hitch is too low. I have an '05 R-LXi on an Extreme tandem axel trailer with disc brakes on the rear wheels. It's really close to level, but it just a touch low towards the tongue. The reason I think it might be an issue is the rear trailer axel brakes tend to lock up really easily. It is really easy to lock up when the boat is off of the trailer. I don't know if there is a way to adjust the trailer's surge brake or if bringing the front up and putting more weight on the rear wheels would solve the problem. Does anyone know what the ideal hitch ball height is?
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The trailer should sit as level as possible so that there is equal weight on the axles. It sounds like all you have to do is take the ball off and turn the hitch tube upside down and re-attach the ball. I had to do the same thing for my tandem.

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It sounds like all you have to do is take the ball off and turn the hitch tube upside down and re-attach the ball. I had to do the same thing for my tandem.

As did I, and it helped a lot.

Locking up while empty is a different story all together with a different set of variables (less tongue weight would impact ride height and a more jerky response while braking?)

Not sure I'd care about how it worked unloaded as long as it was set up properly when the boat was on there.

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Many times surge brakes on an empty trailer will engage too easily as your slowing on a down hill. The result is the trailer sort of hopping to a stop. Putting the pin in there to disengage them while your empty will keep this from happening.

I wonder if it's a sign of the piston in the master cylinder getting a bit weak too. My own trailer will do this. It currently needs to have the system bled though. I am thinking that bleeding the system might resolve the issue too.

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The trailer should sit as level as possible so that there is equal weight on the axles. It sounds like all you have to do is take the ball off and turn the hitch tube upside down and re-attach the ball. I had to do the same thing for my tandem.

Plus1.gif

I would also make sure the brake fluid level is correct.

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The trailer should sit as level as possible so that there is equal weight on the axles. It sounds like all you have to do is take the ball off and turn the hitch tube upside down and re-attach the ball. I had to do the same thing for my tandem.

Unless, he already has a 6" drop Crazy.gif

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Surge brakes are not really adjustable being they are self regulating. With the brakes on the rear tire, you should be at least level or a very slight nose up attitude

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"a very slight nose up attitude" yeah I admit I got this way too after buying my first 'bu...I think it's justified Yes.gif

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"a very slight nose up attitude" yeah I admit I got this way too after buying my first 'bu...I think it's justified Yes.gif

Yeah, I saw that coming after I clicked "add reply".

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Sorry...in all seriousness, level as can be is the way to go with a tandem, and you should be able to achieve that with the right size drop hitch. Don't be afraid to put that bad bay upside down if that's what it takes--that's what we had to do when we went from an Expedition to a (gulp...) minivan. Still use the same hitch, just flipped it.

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