Towing and hitch

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hunter991

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I have a 2017 Tahoe Premier with the self leveling. Just curious what anyone who tows is using as a ball mount that goes into the receiver.

I was connecting one of my boats, and the trailer wheel couldn't go high enough to get over the ball for hookup.

I was using a 6" drop but some of boats/trailers can't raise up enough to make it causing me to put a 2x6 under the cranking wheel to give it more room to go higher.

I was thinking about an adjustable 8" drop from Anderson or Fastway. Anyone in the same boat as i am? I thought 6" would be enough as i had a 3 1/4" on my Toyota sequioa, but the tahoe is so much higher.
 

David Smith

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I would just go adjustable. I really hate how they look. Very bulky, but functionally, it is what you need. I have seen a few chevys that had 6-8" drop hitches because of this.
 

David Smith

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OR...replace the jack on your boat trailer with something that can go higher. If your boat trailer is the only thing that won't go high enough, I would consider a new jack. if it is every trailer you every haul, then I would look into an adjustable drop hitch.
 

RedAggie03

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I just installed a 8" drop shank on my Fastway E2 Trunnion bar WDH. I thought my F150 was high, but this hitch is 4" higher!
 

mizzouguy

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More importantly...is the trailer level when hooked up? You need the trailer to be level then calculate how much of a drop hitch you would need. Adjustable is helpful here...
 

clogan2

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More importantly...is the trailer level when hooked up? You need the trailer to be level then calculate how much of a drop hitch you would need. Adjustable is helpful here...
That is my understanding also: that the trailer should be level.

Unfortunately I have not been able to find a hitch with a sufficient drop to allow my boat trailer to be level when hitched to my 2016 Tahoe LTZ. My trailer is a low profile with 13" wheels, and my Taboe is just too dang high. I have a 6" drop bar now, but would need at least a 12" drop for the trailer to be level. Tahoe just rides too high.

Maybe I need one of those adjustsble ones you mention.

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dbbd1

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Probably not the most desirable option, nor the least expensive but, you could always get larger tires for your trailer...

I had to go really low on my drop hitch too. And my trailer has an "off road" package. Of course, now that the Yukon is lowered, I will need to readjust again, for the upcoming season.
 

clogan2

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Probably not the most desirable option, nor the least expensive but, you could always get larger tires for your trailer...

I had to go really low on my drop hitch too. And my trailer has an "off road" package. Of course, now that the Yukon is lowered, I will need to readjust again, for the upcoming season.
Larger tires/wheels for the trailer would be precluded due to fenders on the trailer.

I've had this boat/trailer for over 16 years, and have towed it with a pretty wide variety of vehicles: Silverados, F150s, mini-vans, older Chevy Nova, Kia SUV, to name a few. The new Tahoe is the only one that's ever been problematic. The combination of ultra-high ride height, along with a somewhat elevated hitch location, puts the trailer ball a good foot higher off the ground than is the case with my F150, for example.

It's a mystery to me why the vehicle is designed in this fashion. I suspect its all driven by the cosmetics of a receiver that can be hidden away, up inside the rear valence.


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dbbd1

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Design- the hitch is almost an after-thought.
 

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