Newbie Question - Trailer Tongue Height?

[pfitzsim]

Newbie question: I forgot to measure the height of the trailer tongue off the ground and am in the midst of getting my vehicle (Honda Pilot) equipped with a wiring harness/tow bar. I'm picking up the boat 200 miles away so don't have easy access to stop by and do a quick measure. Does anyone happen to know the approx. height of the tongue so I can decide if I need to drop or raise the tow bar/ball. Thanks in advance. The trailer is a SeaRay which I understand is made by ShoreLand'r.

 

[Steve195]

Best bet would be to give the dealer or current owner a call and ask them to measure it.

As a point of reference, the center of my receiver on my Grand Cherokee is 19" off the ground. With a hitch that has a 2" drop, that puts the top of the ball right at about 19". My single axle trailer for my 195 Sport is level with that setup. I also tow my buddy's dual axle SPX 190 and it sits level as well.

 

[randmhall]

Is yours a dual axle trailer? If you have a dual axle, the trailer needs to be level for the brakes to work right. If it is off, one axle carry more weight, and the lighter axle will lock up when you stop. This is especially important if you have brakes on both axles.
If you have a single axle trailer, level towing (within reason) isn't an issue.

 

[pfitzsim]

Thanks, single axle trailer. I'll probably ask the owner to do a quick measure for me so I can be as close to level as possible. Thanks.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Roughly 18" from ground to center of ball should do it. 20" max as it's usually better to be a bit high, than low.

The 175 in your signature didn't come with brakes as a standard feature, but if you do have brakes you want to be as level as possible (even with a single axle) so that the brake actuator works as best it can.

 

[pfitzsim]

Thanks. Changed my signature boat - I was originally looking at a 175 when I joined the forum however ended up buying a 185. I believe the trailer has surge brakes.

 

[Lazy Daze]

What year is the 185? That can affect things - not just about brakes, but other questions/concerns you may have down the road. You can put that in the signature, too.

 

[pfitzsim]

It's a 2006.

 

[Lazy Daze]

You're correct then about the brakes. That model came with brakes, standard (even with the 4cyl engine). Assuming of course, it has the original, packaged trailer - which it sounds like it does.

 

[sporters78]

Or you could just use an adjustable hitch ball ,most trailer places sell them

 

[Lazy Daze]

Oh... and since it's a 185, shoot for the 20" instead of the 18". An inch or so higher, if need be.

 

[pfitzsim]

Centre of my receiver is 19" so I'm leaning towards going with a 1" drop which would approx. bring the ball back up to the 19/20" mark. Thanks everyone.