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Tow hitch angle safety

Discussion in 'Towing & Hauling' started by tahoetrails, Mar 20, 2019.

  1. Mar 20, 2019 at 11:35 AM
    #1
    tahoetrails

    tahoetrails [OP] New Member

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    Ive got a question for you guys/gals that have years of towing experience. I have been towing for work for the last 3 years. Logged quite a few miles with a 3 types of trailers. Ranging from 1,500lbs to 8,500lbs.

    So my question here is, Is it ok to have the hitch be at a slight downward angle? I've done quite a bit of reading on this, and have gotten mixed responses. Obviously having a level hitch is the answer, but having it be slightly down cause any real safety issues?

    Let me know what you guys think, I can have it redone, but honestly I would like to be finished with installing and taking off and painting the bumper.

    4FD9C6D7-2376-44F9-B5CF-2C9491EA9399.jpg
     
  2. Mar 20, 2019 at 11:51 AM
    #2
    bradleykd

    bradleykd New Member

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    It's not ideal, but safer than that jack stand setting....
     
  3. Mar 20, 2019 at 11:53 AM
    #3
    15whtrd

    15whtrd Mr. Blonde

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    Probably won’t hurt anything but it’s bugging the shit out of me LOL
     
  4. Mar 20, 2019 at 11:54 AM
    #4
    bradleykd

    bradleykd New Member

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    Seriously, on flat roads, probably won't be a problem. It could bind on big dips in the road (truck pointing up, trailer pointing down) and pop the ball off the hitch or trailer off of the ball.

    I'd fix it just because it looks terrible.
     
    TheBeast likes this.
  5. Mar 20, 2019 at 11:55 AM
    #5
    Azblue

    Azblue Beer is Good Ban Moderator

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    The Dirty T
    Is that just attached to the aftermarket bumper and that's the reason the receiver is angled down?
    If you're towing up to 8500 lbs then you need a full frame mounted hitch and I don't see how a full hitch mounted to the frame would do that unless the installation was really screwed up and rigged/modified to make it fit.
     
    JohnLakeman likes this.
  6. Mar 20, 2019 at 1:48 PM
    #6
    tahoetrails

    tahoetrails [OP] New Member

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    This is an aftermarket hitch. It’s welded to my new bumper. 1/4” plate steel to the frame wth 5 bolts in the front mount. 2 bolts behind the shackle. Hitch was welded through a rectangular 1/4” plate steel as well as welded to the dom tubing.
     
  7. Mar 20, 2019 at 2:00 PM
    #7
    Omohundro

    Omohundro 2018 Not a Pro

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    Fix it, probably will not give any problems but why risk loosing a trailer going down the road?
     
  8. Mar 20, 2019 at 2:11 PM
    #8
    kparrow

    kparrow New Member

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    Damn, I’d fix it. Does not look rated to tow the weight if it’s bent that much
     
  9. Mar 20, 2019 at 2:21 PM
    #9
    Blueline

    Blueline New Member

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    Excessive tongue weight could be a big problem here. Most frame mounted hitch’s have max tongue weight ratings, but this is a lot different and the outfit that built the bumper, with welded on hitch, probably don’t have a certification on max tongue weight. How heavy is your trailer? Your tongue weight is going to be 10% of your trailer weight. A weight distribution hitch would actually straighten that hitch/ball just a bit. I personally would try to level it, as it’s already preloaded in the wrong direction.
     
  10. Mar 20, 2019 at 2:23 PM
    #10
    Spolar

    Spolar Going broke

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    Ok
    It’s not bent... the rear bumper was built like that. @tahoetrails my aftermarket bumper is similar. They did a pretty beefy hitch but it’s got a little tilt to it. Doesn’t bother me. But I’m no expert with towing I don’t plan on ever towing anything more than a small trailer
     
  11. Mar 20, 2019 at 2:24 PM
    #11
    Spolar

    Spolar Going broke

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    There’s not a fabricator on the planet that will give you max tongue weight or a tow rating with an aftermarket bumper/hitch
     
  12. Mar 20, 2019 at 2:31 PM
    #12
    Blueline

    Blueline New Member

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    There you go OP. Level it up, hope for the best, and use good safety chain that are crossed so they cradle the tongue of the trailer if all hell breaks loose.
     
  13. Mar 20, 2019 at 2:42 PM
    #13
    Alloutdrs1

    Alloutdrs1 New Member

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    I'm with this guy, if that's just a receiver tube welded to that aftermarket bumper then its not ideal to be used for towing heavier weight trailers.
     
    Blueline and Azblue[QUOTED] like this.
  14. Mar 20, 2019 at 5:02 PM
    #14
    tahoetrails

    tahoetrails [OP] New Member

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    Instead of quoting everybody’s posts.
    Im just going to say I agree with everyone...
    -No way a fab guy will ever give ratings.
    -I will be bringing the bumper in soon to get it to sit level.
    -My trailer that gets the heaviest use is a 16’ tandem axle utility. It max out at 7,500 pounds. So ideally keeping it under 800lb tongue weight.
    -as far as hitch safety. I’m not a professional, I consult with people that know a shit load more than me and come up with the idea, that’s where the plate behind the dom comes in. Here is some better shots showing the weld and beefiness(I think that’s a word?)

    image.jpg
    image.jpg
    image.jpg
     
    15whtrd likes this.

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