Draw bar for lifted trucks

[Cochise]

Hey all.

I'm looking to get a ball mount (draw bar) for the XJ. From my measurements, the receiver is 31" off the ground and both trailers (utility and tent camper) that I tow are fairly low, in the 17" range off the ground.

I've seen ball mounts with up to 11" drop (still not enough for what I need, which 14-15") and even then that's looking scary with a 500 lbs GTW rating for those.

So what do most people do? Not tow with their lifted trucks, or are there other solutions out there?

 

[rf2]

Have you looked into raising the coupler/tongue on the trailers? It's a bit of work, but it might be a solution.

 

[kbrousseau]

Most XJ's I've see have pretty squishy rear springs so the weight of the trailer will most likely squat the rear of your Jeep a bit as well, which may make up the difference. You could always put longer shacles on the trailers to raise them up a bit.

 

[Cochise]

Most XJ's I've see have pretty squishy rear springs so the weight of the trailer will most likely squat the rear of your Jeep a bit as well, which may make up the difference. You could always put longer shacles on the trailers to raise them up a bit.

True, but this is a tent trailer, so don't really want to go there. I'd have to change the stabilizers and a whole bunch of other things.

 

[Cochise]

Have you looked into raising the coupler/tongue on the trailers? It's a bit of work, but it might be a solution.

Yeah, I thought of that. One of the problems though, is that the utility trailer I use isn't mine (co-owner). My Dad uses it for his four wheeler, so it's gotta stay stock.

Thanks for the thought, though.

 

[Cochise]

After some more digging, I found a place in the States that makes all sorts of draw bar stuff. I ended up speaking to one of their engineers because I had concerns about a ball mount that long (14" for me, but they offer all the way down to 18"!)

He said to stay away from ball mounts that extend outwards along the horizontal axis, i.e. from your receiver to the trailer. They act as a lever in two planes: up/down and side to side. It's why they make their draw bars with a 90* vertical drop.

Here are some links:

http://store.actionaccessoriesllc.com/prostores/servlet/Search?category=BIG+DROP+HITCHES

http://store.actionaccessoriesllc.com/prostores/servle/Search?category=ADJUSTABLE+BALL+MOUNTS

Check these out:

http://store.actionaccessoriesllc.com/prostores/servlet/Search?category=Xtreme+Ball+Mounts


:glasses: