Ball Height for Mesa

[chucksurette]

Hey Guys,

I have started a search for a Mesa camper & have a trailer hitch on the way for my 2001 Volvo wagon.

Now, I need to get a drawbar for my hitch, but don't have an Apache to measure.

I'm wondering what ball height  your Mesa or Yuma or Royal is currently at?

I realize there may be some or a lot of variance in the measurement.

Thanks,
Chuck

[count me in]

you wouldn't adjust for that in the hitch receiver mounting but rather with the ball mount....
take your camper and crank the front tongue jack til the camper body is level  (like you would level it during set up) and measure to center of coupler from the ground, and there you have it.

[chucksurette]

Thanks for the response - but I don't have a camper to measure my height yet.  I'm still trying to find one.

I was hoping to get a ballpark measurement from others, so I know approx where my ball height needs to be.

Thanks,
Chuck

[chucksurette]

Here's the measurement I'm looking for.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1653229828047481&set=p.1653229828047481&type=3&theater&ifg=1

[naturelover]

12" for my leveled '76 Ramada, I'd guess most of the hardsided models would come in at around this height.

[chucksurette]

Thanks Naturelover

I can order the correct ballmount now. 

[naturelover]

No problem. 

Take into account any suspension sag that might occur on the tow vehicle when loaded and hooked to the camper, which will lower your ball height.

Best is just a smidge below level but make sure you have at least 10% of your trailer weight as tongue weight. 

If the trailer is tilted so that it?s tongue high, regardless of the tongue weight, it can make it more susceptible to sway.

Tilted high and tongue light will pretty much guarantee the trailer will sway. 

[kanega]

The height adjustment should be with a fully loaded trailer.  Water is 8.5 lbs a gallon, so a 10 gallon water tank is 85 lbs behind the axle.  Allow just an additional height for your tow car being weight down, test, drive a few miles and remeasure.  Its hit and miss.  Also if your trailer is riding too high, the rear gear box could take a hit.  There is a metal shield that bolts on the bottom frame to protect from a direct hit say from a speed bump.

[chucksurette]

Thanks Gary,  I'll keep that in mind.

Chuck