Hitching up question....

[Tebpac]

Looking at purchasing our first TT after a long time of looking around etc.  We were looking at a certain brand/model and then looked at an "upgrade"(?) of the same brand and liked what we saw.  It's longer than I initially wanted (32') and a bit heavier (9450GVWR).  The dealer will be setting us up with and Equilizer E4 WDH.  My concern is hitching up.  Do you need to be completely level?  Our driveway has a slight down slope toward the street and of course when backing up the truck, it has a gentle down slope as well entering the driveway.  There is a possibility of it creating a kind of a "v" shape when trying to hook up.  Of course I won't know until it's sitting in my driveway.  Not much play with moving the trailer back and forth due to short drive way length. I'm thinking this may cause binding on the ball when dropping the trailer down on it.  Not sure if I'm being paranoid but wanted to check in with you folks to see what you thought.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

It's a bit easier when level, but not necessary.  You want the trailer and the truck chassis to be all in the same plane, even though that plane isn't "level".  No dip or hummock at the hitch - just a straight line through trailer and truck chassis.  If in doubt, stop in a near-by parking lot and double-check the "level" and the tension on the spring bars.

 

[Tebpac]

Thanks!  I don't think it will be severe but trying to head off any problems.  Lots of things to think of.

 

[SpencerPJ]

Like Gary said, it's nice but not necessary.  My last camp outing, I had a terrible slope the TT was parked on, had to back up on wood, and drop the front all the way down, and then just barely level.  Make sure you chock the tires well, and give room for the Truck to roll, either way, you don't want the tongue latch to get in a bind.

 

[Lou Schneider]

The only binding on the ball will be if the trailer is pushing or pulling on it - it's made to pivot up or down.

What will be affected is the tension on the equalizing bars.  If the truck and trailer is sagging in a V due to the slope there will be more than the usual tension on the bars so be prepared for needing extra force to lift them into place or for more than the usual kick when you release them.

Worse case you could remove the bars when the trailer is level and then back it into the driveway without the equalizing bars in place.

 

[grashley]

The BALL is made to rotate freely in all directions - with limits, of course.  I seriously doubt you will get anywhere close to those limits in your driveway!  The real issue will be the WD bars, as already stated. 
One possible solution is to attach the bars one link loose - so you can get them connected in the driveway - then go to a nearby location that is flat and properly adjust the bars there.  Same thing on the return home.
Another solution might be to hitch the ball, then use the tongue jack to raise the tongue and truck up to attach the bars.

There ARE solutions to this!!

 

[Patnsuzanne]

If the ?V? between the truck and trailer is really pronounced, you can always hitch up to the ball, then back up, or pull forward enough to level the rig out some before you go ahead and mount the bars. We?ve had to do that once or twice to get out of some really uneven sites. The bars aren?t necessary to pull the trailer, per se, they distribute the weight more evenly between the trailer and truck. So if you need to pull completely out of the driveway and on out into the street to set the bars, you?ll be fine.