Towing w/ Lift?

Driven trucks forever, proud holder of a CDL (that hasn't been used in years, but still)... but we all have gaps, right? Well, here's mine...

I have a 3" lift w/ 34" tires (2019 Double Cab). This Wednesday I'm planning to tow a U-Haul Car Hauler containing a 2006 Kia Sorento, the trip is about 700 miles over mainly flat terrain. Two mountain passes but they are more "hill" passes... anyway...

My question comes down to this, I've never needed to tow with a lifted truck. If I go with a 3" drop is that sufficient for my setup, or do I need to look at dropping further than that?

 

To somewhat answer my own question after spending an hour looking through thread history on this site... I've come to the conclusion a 3" drop should be fine and will re-evaluate if I notice weird behavior. If anyone on here has expertise that says otherwise, please let me know =).

 

If a stock truck would not require a drop with that trailer, then yes a 3" drop should be fine. Put another way, stock drop + lift height = total drop. More likely however is that even a stock suspension would require a bit of drop, depending on the trailer being towed. With the goal of the loaded trailer having its tongue parallel to the ground or ever so slightly sloping downward at the tongue. You should be able to calculate the required ball height off the ground, and then plan for a drop that will achieve that height on your truck.

Loaded car haulers tend to have a high center of gravity, so it's really important to have sufficient hitch weight which translates to enough drop.

 

If your rear is lifted 3" then a 3" drop will not do it. 3" + 34" tires will be almost +4". Only way to know is to get hitch height of Uhaul trailer and add for droop from tongue weight. I would say 4" or maybe 5". I am level on boat trailer with 2" drop and almost 400 lbs on tongue.

 

I’m sitting on 34.5” tires and a 4” drop hitch has worked perfect for me. Figured since the truck is 3.5” taller than stock, didn’t factor the lift into it at all.

 

This ^^^

 

I would measure just to be safe.

 

Lift the trailer, add 34's

 

Thanks! You prompted me to realize I hadn't actually called and asked U-Haul if they have hitch height recommendations for towing their trailers... so I called and it turns out they do. The trailer I'm renting has a recommended hitch height of between 16 and 20 inches. The top of my receiver currently sits at 21 inches, so a 3 inch drop will be perfect.

Although I do like Smiley's suggestion...

Thanks everyone!