new trailer owner and a question :-)

[MountainBikingViking]

Hi All,

I just bought a 2019 199dd ameri-lite and am super excited to put it to use. I've been reading posts on here and learning a lot. So thankful for everyone that posts on here.

My question is about cutting a few inches off the bottom of my trailer jack post until I can get a new one installed. Is that ok? Is there a better solution to the jack post being so low? Fully loaded I only have about 4" of clearance with it winched all the way up from the bottom of the post to the pavement. I just did a little test drive and it scrapped going off the driveway and on some dips in my neighborhood. I think the trailer jack might be after market - unless these normally come with bearclaw trailer jacks.

I suspect the real problem is my tow vehicle but I just spent a load of money on the trailer and can't afford to replace my honda pilot just yet. I am using a hitch riser to raise my receiver 6.25" but even with the trailer empty I don't have enough clearance to put the foot on the hitch post. I could try an even taller hitch riser too.

 

[maddog53]

Just my opinion. I hope you have the 5000 tow package on your Pilot. Even at 5000, the trailer and all of its contents are dangerously close to the 80% rule. Meaning you should plan on a 4000 pound towing capacity as a base. Trailer weight, 3100, add all contents, coolers stored in vehicle, propane tanks, any water carried, the weight of passengers. That weight makes you dangerously close to being overweight and will be dangerous to you and others on the road. You may need a different tow vehicle sooner rather that later. Sorry

 

[BluesFlyer]

Regarding cutting the jack post, It’s hard to say without seeing your setup. Here is a picture of my electric jack post and the weight distribution bars. In my case, if I cut anything off the jack post then something else might become the low point and drag. I think I’d rather have the jack post drag versus other things. I’d probably try an even taller hitch on your tow vehicle until you can figure out a better solution. A properly adjusted weight distribution system can also help.

Moving cargo forward or aft will change the tongue height but it also drastically impacts the sway characteristics while towing. An aft loaded trailer can be very dangerous. Watch this YouTube video as a demonstration: https://youtu.be/w9Dgxe584Ss?feature=shared

Your trailer specs should have tongue weight guidance. It’s a good idea to weigh your setup to know where to put each item that you typically haul for the correct balance. This may also give you a little more clearance at the jack post.

 

[MountainBikingViking]

thanks - and you were very right. I put some curtis sway control bars on and that helped tremendously but I still had to drive very slowly. In particularly bad gusts I wasn't able to go much over 48 mph. I went through truck stop scales several times making sure the weight was distributed as well as possible but it definitely sketchy af.

I'll be getting a new tow vehicle before our next outing.

Cutting the hitch post down worked great though.