recomended drop.

[zulustyle]

Howdy,
I am going to purchase a ball mount kit for the AV today. I would really appreciate any advice on what the recomended drop needs to be. I currently do little to no towing......yet. Right now my primary motivation is to give tailgaters something to think about the next time some one decides to ride my A$$ . I am thinkinking about getting a 4" drop and inverting it so as it will be right at hood/grill level . Any suggestions

 

[ibshortie]

I'm looking for a hitch for the same reasons as you . Waiting for a experts opinion on the best feeler gauge.

 

[m02redl]

the best protection will come if they strike your hitch with their bumper as this is the leading edge of their car. i'm sure putting it at grille/hood level will cause more monetary damage to their car, but if protection for your av is what you looking for i'd go with straight to maybe a 2 or even 4 in drop. in the unfortunate event that you are struck and there appears to be no damage still have it checked as this happened to me and it did "diamond" the frame. this occurred on my sonoma not my av thank goodness but i'm sure is still a possibility. good luck and i hope you never need its protection

 

[msheldon]

Howdy,
I am going to purchase a ball mount kit for the AV today. I would really appreciate any advice on what the recomended drop needs to be.

Well, for trailering, it's entirely dependent on the tongue height of the trailer. The "old school" used to be that the top of the ball should be approx 22" above the ground with the truck on level ground. However, there's a bit more variance in tongue heights anymore. Now, the general rule is that the top of the ball should be approx 1" above the tongue height, with both vehicles on level ground, and the trailer level with the ground. Mine is currently riding at 23-24".

Now, since you're not actually towing, it's all kind of academic, isn't it? I'd definitely turn the bar downward, to keep them from "submarining" under you. That way, if they rear-end you while you are moving, it's less likely to cause you to lose control from the rear wheels being unloaded.

 

[sirjace av2500-04]

Hi all,

I'm fairly new to the club. I just ordered an '04 2500 to replace my 98 2Dr Tahoe which I am selling. I was unfortunately rear ended twice in the Tahoe. I had it put on a lift and check thoroughly but there was no damage. It seems I was a bit lucky but the two cars that hit me were low enought that my heavy duty hitch frame buried them into the ground. One guy totalled a grand prix and the only damaged I experienced was a broken rear backup light mounted below the bumper.

I would assume the hitch would just add to the damage done to the tailgaters. I would definately put a nice hole in their radiator if they hit you hard enough. Make sure you get a good lock so your hitch doesn't get stolen.