Gordon R Posted May 17, 2020 Report Share Posted May 17, 2020 (edited) We have a 4 wheel box trailer, which my youngest transports either his trials bike or soon a Honda CR500AF. He had a Vauxhall Insignia, where the towball height is around 15" or 375mm. He has changed vehicles to a 4 x 4 where the tow ball height is 450mm. This means that, when hitched, the trailer no longer tows level and puts more weight on the back axle. The towbar is Tow Trust model - swan neck. The swan neck ball height is 450mm, with no adjustment to make it go lower. I was going to phone Tow Trust tomorrow to see if they make a swan next attachment sitting at a lower height. Failing that, I was going to weld a couple of 50 x 50 x 5mm box sections onto the trailer rails, to raise the actual hitch. The hitch is bolted through the box section chassis, so an extra box section, plus longer bolts would seem to solve this. Has anyone got a better solution? Edited May 17, 2020 by Gordon R Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted May 17, 2020 Report Share Posted May 17, 2020 16 minutes ago, Gordon R said: We have a 4 wheel box trailer, which my youngest transports either his trials bike or soon a Honda CR500AF. He had a Vauxhall Insignia, where the towball height is around 15" or 375mm. He has changed vehicles to a 4 x 4 where the tow ball height is 450mm. This means that, when hitched, the trailer no longer tows level and puts more weight on the back axle. The towbar is Tow Trust model - swan neck. The swan neck ball height is 450mm, with no adjustment to make it go lower. I was going to phone Tow Trust tomorrow to see if they make a swan next attachment sitting at a lower height. Failing that, I was going to weld a couple of 50 x 50 x 5mm box sections onto the trailer rails, to raise the actual hitch. The hitch is bolted through the box section chassis, so an extra box section, plus longer bolts would seem to solve this. Has anyone got a better solution? i think that is the best idea as it dosnt interfere with the chassis of the trailer.........just make sure you have the right spec bolts.....and re-adjust the tension on the braking cables.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted May 17, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2020 Was going to use high tensile bolts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted May 17, 2020 Report Share Posted May 17, 2020 Assume it’s an unbraked trailer? Then why 2 axles? As long as you never want to take it to Europe should be fine guess changing all 4 wheels/tyres to raise the height is too expensive? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted May 17, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2020 I hadn't thought about bigger wheels, but it would be an option. Not sure there is the distance between the two axles and the mudguards would have to be replaced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted May 17, 2020 Report Share Posted May 17, 2020 (edited) Your looking at a 3” height rise so 6” loss of space between the wheels.Depeing on stud pattern could be as simple as changing 10” wheels to 12/13” and suitable tyres https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/153458083201 always found double axel unbraked trailers (for road use) a bit weird really.... Edited May 17, 2020 by HDAV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saltings Posted May 18, 2020 Report Share Posted May 18, 2020 I would be inclined to bolt a box section spacer bolt to chassis bolt to hitch and sometime in the future remove to fit a new vehicle have welded bits in place before and in time wished I didn't weld so good and use four bolts keep it simple a spacer is the cheapest option 4x4 x 8 " box section and 4 high tensile bolts or similar using what you have available to build a spacer inc I beam scrap adjust to fit thigh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
point and shoot Posted May 18, 2020 Report Share Posted May 18, 2020 Try your local caravan spares shop. They should have adjuster plates to raise or lower the tow ball height and all the proper bolts you need! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
udderlyoffroad Posted May 18, 2020 Report Share Posted May 18, 2020 57 minutes ago, point and shoot said: Try your local caravan spares shop. They should have adjuster plates to raise or lower the tow ball height and all the proper bolts you need! Nope 9 hours ago, Gordon R said: The towbar is Tow Trust model - swan neck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Best Posted May 18, 2020 Report Share Posted May 18, 2020 Raise the hitch on the trailer. If you lower the hitch on the vehicle you will find yourself ploughing with it if you cross any rough ground. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted May 18, 2020 Report Share Posted May 18, 2020 Interesting read https://www.pfjones.co.uk/towball-heights.html putting smaller wheels on the car is another solution...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted May 18, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 18, 2020 I need to raise the trailer, but that would involve 5 new wheels and tyres, mudguards and possibly new hubs. I have spoken to the towbar company and they do not do a lower swan neck attachment. I will have to raise the trailer hitch. Spoken to a mate this morning - he has some 50 x 50 x 5mm steel box section, so that is my current plan. Saltings - I think you are correct about not welding. The trailer hitch will be just as secure with extended high tensile bolts, passing through a 50 x 50 box section. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted May 18, 2020 Report Share Posted May 18, 2020 19 minutes ago, Gordon R said: I need to raise the trailer, but that would involve 5 new wheels and tyres, mudguards and possibly new hubs. I have spoken to the towbar company and they do not do a lower swan neck attachment. I will have to raise the trailer hitch. Spoken to a mate this morning - he has some 50 x 50 x 5mm steel box section, so that is my current plan. Saltings - I think you are correct about not welding. The trailer hitch will be just as secure with extended high tensile bolts, passing through a 50 x 50 box section. Might it be easier to raise the connecting point rather than the whole trailer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted May 18, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 18, 2020 It is just the hitch. I am putting 50 x 50 box section under the existing cast hitch - one on either side, where the chassis tapers at the front. About 10" long either side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted May 18, 2020 Report Share Posted May 18, 2020 17 minutes ago, Gordon R said: It is just the hitch. I am putting 50 x 50 box section under the existing cast hitch - one on either side, where the chassis tapers at the front. About 10" long either side. Oh I thought you were originally considering raising the whole base of the trailer with either box section or bigger wheels and tyres. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted May 18, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 18, 2020 (edited) It's done now. Mate was passing and dropped off some 50 x 50 box section. Cut, drilled, painted and bolted up to trailer chassis. Sorted. Edited May 18, 2020 by Gordon R Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodgy dave Posted July 1, 2020 Report Share Posted July 1, 2020 lovely job Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.