1982 C/K 6.0L Caitlyn Mall Crawler (Interior time)

[folkenheath]

Anderson makes a nice steel one that is adjustable and not too expensive, if I was running adjustable I would use that one.

I like a fixed ball mount, I don't like extra connections to wobble or rattle.

However, I only have two trailers and don't often tow other trailers, if I towed random trailers a lot, I would buy the Anderson, or a Weigh Safe.

I can get Weigh safe from my distributor, those are pretty trick too. Have a built in hydraulic scale to you can always make sure your load is correct.

 

[skunked]

Anderson makes a nice steel one that is adjustable and not too expensive, if I was running adjustable I would use that one.

I like a fixed ball mount, I don't like extra connections to wobble or rattle.

However, I only have two trailers and don't often tow other trailers, if I towed random trailers a lot, I would buy the Anderson, or a Weigh Safe.

I can get Weigh safe from my distributor, those are pretty trick too. Have a built in hydraulic scale to you can always make sure your load is correct.

Weigh Safe is what I have.

 

[Babaganoosh]

Do these hitches really make a difference? I have only really towed once without a “good one” and didn’t notice any difference.

 

[imiceman44]

Do these hitches really make a difference? I have only really towed once without a “good one” and didn’t notice any difference.

What makes a difference in towing a trailer with tandem axles is having the trailer level and both axle sharing the load.
On a single axle it's not as critical but it looks better if it's flat

 

[shady]

Reading these reminded me that I have to raise the coupler on my trailer one notch
Almost forgot.

 

[Babaganoosh]

What makes a difference in towing a trailer with tandem axles is having the trailer level and both axle sharing the load.
On a single axle it's not as critical but it looks better if it's flat

Yeah I get that but is the $400 worth it for these hitches?


Almost all moved out of the house I’ll be done tomorrow.

 

[skunked]

I’m actually surprised the trailer didn’t have a problem tracking behind your truck with the trailer axles loaded unevenly. I adjusted my hitch two or three times and moved the truck forward on the trailer before I had it working properly at highway speeds.

 

[imiceman44]

Yeah I get that but is the $400 worth it for these hitches?


Almost all moved out of the house I’ll be done tomorrow.

I just checked for me and it would be $139 for steel set 4" drop or raise.
I am surprised how affordable they can be.

 

[Babaganoosh]

I’m actually surprised the trailer didn’t have a problem tracking behind your truck with the trailer axles loaded unevenly. I adjusted my hitch two or three times and moved the truck forward on the trailer before I had it working properly at highway speeds.

It didn’t care at all even going 80mph

 

[imiceman44]

I’m actually surprised the trailer didn’t have a problem tracking behind your truck with the trailer axles loaded unevenly. I adjusted my hitch two or three times and moved the truck forward on the trailer before I had it working properly at highway speeds.

I don't know how your trailer is setup but his has the axles set far back, it makes it more forgiving but could put more tongue weight which is not a big deal with his truck.
I am like you and try to level the trailer and balance the weight because I suffered a couple of times from the wagging tail

 

[ktmoutfront]

I am anal about trailer setups. Working for my parents towing company, I saw how wrong things can go if not done correctly.

 

[Babaganoosh]

Only time I have ever had wagging tail is with u haul trailers. I had my Tahoe on one with the 82 towing it and at the time it only had 1 shock on the rear from blowing it out in Moab.

It was scary but I was able to get it under control quickly.

 

[Wes Harden]

I try to get any ball mount 17.5" from the ground and haven't had any issues with any of my 5 trailer, or the one I borrow from neighbor, nor U haul's

 

[skunked]

I don't know how your trailer is setup but his has the axles set far back, it makes it more forgiving but could put more tongue weight which is not a big deal with his truck.
I am like you and try to level the trailer and balance the weight because I suffered a couple of times from the wagging tail

I have a very similar setup to his.

Only time I have ever had wagging tail is with u haul trailers. I had my Tahoe on one with the 82 towing it and at the time it only had 1 shock on the rear from blowing it out in Moab.

It was scary but I was able to get it under control quickly.

Those trailers suck for anything bigger than a midsized passenger vehicle. Too short to center the load properly.

 

[Babaganoosh]

I have a very similar setup to his.



Those trailers suck for anything bigger than a midsized passenger vehicle. Too short to center the load properly.

I agree, it was in a pinch and had to tow it.

 

[JoshHefnerX]

A good tow is no complaints. A bad tow can change your life. Some times the loads are light enough to not be a big deal but there's a couple of things I don't compromise on for myself.

Anything safety related.

Long pedal gets you into trouble. Brakes/steering gets you out. That encompasses tires. And if you're towing - having a proper tow setup.

 

[folkenheath]

Yeah I get that but is the $400 worth it for these hitches?


Almost all moved out of the house I’ll be done tomorrow.

That's one of the reasons that I just bought the correct size fixed hitch, take a measurement and buy one fixed hitch and your trailer is setup.

Amazon.com: B&W Trailer Hitches 16K, 6" Drop, 2.5"x6" Shank Ball Mount - BMHD30214 : Automotive

Buy B&W Trailer Hitches 16K, 6" Drop, 2.5"x6" Shank Ball Mount - BMHD30214: Ball Mounts - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

If you don't want fixed, then I would get this one, its not $400, nearly half that, and very versatile. (up to 8" drop, 2.5" tube)

Amazon.com

If your truck has the pro tailgate, then be careful, you can fold it right into your hitch ball You can shut that feature off just by holding the button or something like that.

I always remove my ball mount when I am not using it, or it will just rust trap moisture in the receiver and bash peoples shins.

I know your truck doesn't care most of the time because its a new HD diesel, but its still safer to have it setup correctly, for when someone pulls out in front of you or something and you need that little better stopping distance or something like that.

 

[imiceman44]

That's one of the reasons that I just bought the correct size fixed hitch, take a measurement and buy one fixed hitch and your trailer is setup.

Amazon.com: B&W Trailer Hitches 16K, 6" Drop, 2.5"x6" Shank Ball Mount - BMHD30214 : Automotive

Buy B&W Trailer Hitches 16K, 6" Drop, 2.5"x6" Shank Ball Mount - BMHD30214: Ball Mounts - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

If you don't want fixed, then I would get this one, its not $400, nearly half that, and very versatile. (up to 8" drop, 2.5" tube)

Amazon.com

If your truck has the pro tailgate, then be careful, you can fold it right into your hitch ball You can shut that feature off just by holding the button or something like that.

I always remove my ball mount when I am not using it, or it will just rust trap moisture in the receiver and bash peoples shins.

I know your truck doesn't care most of the time because its a new HD diesel, but its still safer to have it setup correctly, for when someone pulls out in front of you or something and you need that little better stopping distance or something like that.

I like the Anderson better because of the the 2 points of attachment.
The others use a Grove to slide and one pin to lock in.
But I like the price and the scale of weigh safe.
And since I have 4 trailers, soon to be 6 some higher than others and some are 2" and some 2 ⅚" it's easier to have one hitch.
Although if I had to buy all of mine I would have spent more than $200 but some came on trucks I bought and some I found on the side of the highway.
I have spent almost $100 and that is including the plate for my pintle hook hitch

 

[folkenheath]

I like the Anderson better because of the the 2 points of attachment.
The others use a Grove to slide and one pin to lock in.
But I like the price and the scale of weigh safe

Plus the Anderson is made in the USA.

I bought a separate tongue scale for $90. I worry the aluminum multi piece hitch will get sloppy over time. I have an old Anderson stinger 1 piece ball mount I used to use weekly, been very strong but over time the aluminum gets deformed a little where it contacts the receiver tube, not a big deal with one piece, I feel multi pieces would just exacerbate that. They make a steel one, but it's very heavy of course. Plus, I like the idea of a tongue scale, but I don't need my scale getting banged around over every single bump. Though if I was frequently hauling different loads it would be very handy. But I typically haul the same things over and over again, and you know where they work the best anyway.

If you haul the same trailers and loads repeatedly, I think fixed hitches are the way to go.

If you are frequently pulling different trailers, an adjustable would be handy.

And if you frequently hauling different loads, a weigh safe hitch might make sense too.

 

[imiceman44]

Plus the Anderson is made in the USA.

I bought a separate tongue scale for $90. I worry the aluminum multi piece hitch will get sloppy over time. I have an old Anderson stinger 1 piece ball mount I used to use weekly, been very strong but over time the aluminum gets deformed a little where it contacts the receiver tube, not a big deal with one piece, I feel multi pieces would just exacerbate that. They make a steel one, but it's very heavy of course. Plus, I like the idea of a tongue scale, but I don't need my scale getting banged around over every single bump. Though if I was frequently hauling different loads it would be very handy. But I typically haul the same things over and over again, and you know where they work the best anyway.

If you haul the same trailers and loads repeatedly, I think fixed hitches are the way to go.

If you are frequently pulling different trailers, an adjustable would be handy.

And if you frequently hauling different loads, a weigh safe hitch might make sense too.

Yeah it's steel all the way for me, no aluminum that wears easily