Hitch clearance

TerryV6 · March 28

We have a 2025 Honda Ridgeline and are towing a NuCamp 320 camper. The truck is a new purchase and so is the CURT 45900 Adjustable Trailer Hitch. We are using the 2 inch ball and the adjustment to match the trailer hitch is at the lower end of the hitch on the truck. It rides very well as we took it out the first time, but we discovered when we came home and backed into the driveway, the larger ball which is in the lower part, bottoms out on the apron. We went with this hitch unit as our camper and truck load varies and we thought this would be the best fit. We had this camper for 9 years and have 3 hitches because of different TVs. Also it depends on what is in the truck bed, thus, this hitch.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. My first thought was to cut off the lower ball.

BandB · March 28

@TerryV6 we've towed our 2022 320sBD with a mini van and now our 2023 Honda Ridgeline with an Andersen Rapid Hitch with greaseless ball. We just got back from over a 4,000 mi. road trip with no issues. But maybe your trailer isn't a Boondock model?

Grumpy_G · March 28

Cutting off the ball is not gaining you much, the next thing to hit is the mounting channel. It's the wrong hitch for the application, it is meant for full size trucks where the hitch mount and the trailer tongue sit much higher (it's rated for 10-14k lbs for a reason). The T@b has a very low tongue so a regular drop hitch is pretty much the only option, it will gain an easy 3"+ of clearance under the hitch.

TerryV6 · March 28

Sorry, it’s not a boondock. I did some research.. oh dear..

Cherokee · March 28

Best way is to use the adjustable hitch to find the off-set needed with both your trailer and TV loaded. Then see if you can find a non-adjustable hitch close to that offset. Ideally, the trailer should set close to level. Save the adjustable hitch for your next TV and /or trailer

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/nj/1yrjpgkuo9g9.jpg

This set-up is more complex but it shows a non-adjustable 2" offset hitch in a lock-n-roll system - you'll have more selection with a standard ball hitch

Cherokee · March 28

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/ff/iycvhex9sl8q.jpg

TerryV6 · March 28

"Best way is to use the adjustable hitch to find the off-set needed with both your trailer and TV loaded. Then see if you can find a non-adjustable hitch close to that offset. Ideally, the trailer should set close to level. Save the adjustable hitch for your next TV and /or trailer "

I know some about proper hitch height and that was what I was focused on. I've purchased hitches in the past using the formula to get the proper height. I noticed that when we were loading the tv or camper in different ways, that can affect everything. We have gone to scales to get this right. So, It was my bright idea to go with an adjustable hitch to take some of this into account. I didn't think of the problem I encountered. My wife wants to try some experiments with our new hitch with different load outs, but I suspect that you are probably right and I'll have to get another non-adjustable hitch. My last vehicle was a Ram 1500 so I never ran into this before.

Cherokee · March 28

Indeed, when we purchased our truck we had to recalculate as well. We have two 6v AGM batteries and when loaded, the 297lb tongue weight sat the rear of our truck about an inch with stock springs. We upgraded springs and shocks to Old Man Emu raising the back of the truck 1" higher then the front. With the trailer connected, the truck sat level. But we had to turn the step hitch to raise, rather then drop like we did with the jeep. This enabled us to set level all the way from California to Texas:

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/mw/bzxpsgnj9wpo.jpg

TerryV6 · March 29

So, going by the advice here, I sold the adjustable curt hitch and now I'm in the market for a new ball mount. I have quite a number of 2 inch balls, so I can get a mount with or without a ball. So, the A value for my truck is 19 and from the table provided here for my 2016 Tab camper my B value is 14. I guess I'm looking for one that is a 5 inch drop. I see 4 inch and 6 inch. I wonder if you figure in the sag estimate, I'd be good with a 4 inch drop. Am I thinking of this right? I did see a Reese Towpower trailer hitch ball mount, 6000 lbs capacity, fits a 2 inch receiver, 5 1/4 drop.

Binghi · March 29

I think you’re probably right. When I bought my truck, I calculated that I needed a 5” drop, but I owned a 4” drop hitch. I tried it and the trailer tongue came out level. Been using it for a couple of years without a problem.

SolidCamper · March 30

@TerryV6. So you mentioned that you used to have a Ram 1500 and it was no problem. I just got a 2025 RAM 1500, and can visually see that it is at least 2 or 3 inches higher than my previous TV, which was a Chevy Avalanche. What drop did you use when you used your RAM 1500. I hoping that a 2 in drop, will do it, as I already have one. Any thoughts ?

TerryV6 · March 30

I was using an 8 inch drop for my last truck. The bed height was one of the things I didn't like about the truck. We used a small 2 step ladder thing to get into the bed.

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