Picking up a Cougar on Tuesday, need ball height info.

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AirtechJr

AirtechJr

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Joined
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Location
So Cal
It seems that my new RV is way low compared to my Yukon. 7” difference to my 2e hitch.Your thoughts?
 
Welcome to the forum.
Your going to have to purchase a hitch that is adjustable for height. Then take the trailer to a place with a level parking lot and adjust the hitch so the trailer is level.
 
AirtechJr said:
It seems that my new RV is way low compared to my Yukon. 7” difference to my 2e hitch.Your thoughts?
Click to expand...
It sounds as if you already have a weight distributing hitch, are you referring to a e2 hitch made by Fastway? If so, the hitch head is bolted to the L shaped shank, and depending on the drop/rise of the existing shank, you can either relocate the hitch head to different holes, flipping the shank up/down as necessary, or you may have to purchase a new shank if it won't allow enough hitch head rise or drop.

The shank is a separate part from the hitch and can be replaced without replacing the rest of the hitch (assuming the hitch is not worn badly and has spring bars of the proper weight range for the new trailer)

Page 9 of This e2 catalog shows the four part numbers of varying shanks that e2 sells, along with the amount of drop/rise that they provide with either round bar or trunnion type hitch heads. However the e2 web site notes that most of the shanks are out of stock.

The truth is, no matter the brand, the vertical section of the shank, that the hitch head attaches to, is a standardized 2 inch wide, 3/4" holes spaced 1¼" center to center apart and has a horizontal section to mate with your vehicles receiver, of either 2 inch, 2½ inch or 3 inch square. While some manufacturers claim that you must use their shanks with their hitch heads/ball mount, this is a liability issue for THEM and if the shank is properly rated for the weight being towed, you would have no problems using another brand of shank that has more drop or rise as needed.

Note that MANY RV component manufacturers are having supply chain issues, be it labor, materials (steel) or transportation and the parts you need may not be readily available.

Type hitch shanks in a Google search bar and select images to see what I mean by variety.

Charles
 
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The E2 ball mount is adjustable, at least to some degree. I'd set it as low as it goes to get the new trailer home and then figure out the specifics and decide what to do. You can't use just any ball mount with the Fastway E2 system, but there is surely some device to handle this sort of thing. It looks like the E2 ball mount would fit onto a compatible adjustable drop hitch. Fastway makes one - maybe it would match up. https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch-Ball-Mount/Fastway/FA42-00-2800.html

E2 has some advice on this, but not a canned solution. How to Get Better Weight Distribution From Your e2 Hitch | Fastway Trailer
 

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Rob&Deryl said:
Or, use what you have to get it home, then figure out the correct drop and buy accordingly
Click to expand...

SeilerBird said:
This is the most suggestive thread title of all time.
Click to expand...
Both of you posted while I was composing and dealing with a clingly old cat who won't stay out of my way at the keyboard.

Rob is correct, the hitch can be adjusted to get "as good as it gets" and if you don't have to go a long ways, will get you home fine.

SeilerBird, I thought the same thing when I read the title........................ Cougars and balls, what more..........

Charles
 
My guess, the top of the ball should be 19" from the ground.
If trailer is less than 5000#, you can get it home with a traditional hitch, take it slow.
 
I apologize for not being more clear. Yes, I have a Fastway Trunnion e2.
I bought the Trailer used. 1 year old. Came with hitch system.
Love the hitch, only my Denali is 7” too high. I don’t see a drop that will go 7” lower than the original hitch.
At least not one that still incorporates the anti sway arms.
Thanks to everyone that has replaced. Good stuff.
Obviously new to tow behind.
 
There are adjustables that go 10" or more, but the trick is to find one that is compatible with your existing ball mount. If you can't find one, contact Fastway and ask them what they know of that would fit.

This one might work if you discard the vertical sliding mount and substitute your E2 mount. Looks similar, but the devil is in the details.
 
CharlesinGA said:
It sounds as if you already have a weight distributing hitch, are you referring to a e2 hitch made by Fastway? If so, the hitch head is bolted to the L shaped shank, and depending on the drop/rise of the existing shank, you can either relocate the hitch head to different holes, flipping the shank up/down as necessary, or you may have to purchase a new shank if it won't allow enough hitch head rise or drop.

The shank is a separate part from the hitch and can be replaced without replacing the rest of the hitch (assuming the hitch is not worn badly and has spring bars of the proper weight range for the new trailer)

Page 9 of This e2 catalog shows the four part numbers of varying shanks that e2 sells, along with the amount of drop/rise that they provide with either round bar or trunnion type hitch heads. However the e2 web site notes that most of the shanks are out of stock.

The truth is, no matter the brand, the vertical section of the shank, that the hitch head attaches to, is a standardized 2 inch wide, 3/4" holes spaced 1¼" center to center apart and has a horizontal section to mate with your vehicles receiver, of either 2 inch, 2½ inch or 3 inch square. While some manufacturers claim that you must use their shanks with their hitch heads/ball mount, this is a liability issue for THEM and if the shank is properly rated for the weight being towed, you would have no problems using another brand of shank that has more drop or rise as needed.

Note that MANY RV component manufacturers are having supply chain issues, be it labor, materials (steel) or transportation and the parts you need may not be readily available.

Type hitch shanks in a Google search bar and select images to see what I mean by variety.

Charles
Click to expand...
It seems they have a 10” drop at Camping World. I am just going to have to wait u til Tuesday. I was trying to be proactive. I measured the GMC to the top of the ball. Then went to the dealership, measured the frame to ground, made sure it was the same in front and back. Then measured it to the top of the young inside the ball socket.
I just don’t have 7” with the provided shank.
 
Are you sure the trailer was level when you measured it? I just find it hard to imagine that the Yukon sits so high, seems the E2 shank wouldn't work on any 1/2 ton. (at least my F150 receiver sits a few inches higher than my ex- YukonXL).
 
My first thought on the cougar/ball height issue was no different. My second thought was sometimes with cougars, the balls are high, then dropped, after a day or three of ascension and descending, ascension and descending, your feel like the balls are dragging.
 
The dealer I bought the trailer from was absolutely no help. Did not stock a 7” drop shank. They said I should have bought a new hitch, and not the one that was in the trailer. 🤬
I replied they did not have one to sell me.
My first tow behind since 1970. Moved on to Motorhomes since then.
Probably the worst customer service I have ever experienced. They were great until the sale was made. Still isn’t final, I hate to unravel it now.
So off to Valencia tomorrow to get the proper shank.

Thanks again everyone For your ideas and comments. I got some nice chuckles.
 
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