Beginner Query

[April Nelson]

We just bought a 2021 Palamino Puma Destination trailer, and when picking it up from the RV dealer, we could not get the trailer hitch/coupler high enough to attach to the truck so a worker on a fork lift raised it up and we have to put blocks under the trailer hitch to get that height. We were told that we would have to keep 5 blocks under the trailer hitch or it would not get away to let the coupler hook to the truck. The truck is a 2020 Dodge Ram tradesman style 2500. So when the parked the RV and leveled it then detached, we put the five blocks under the trailer hitch as directed, but we cannot get the rv leveled now because the nose is too high. We put leveling block under the tires and nothing works. We put cement blocks under the scissor jack we have. Do we need to buy a different trailer hitch so we can lower the trailer down more in the front. Any help would be appreciated because we have to get this beast leveled.

[rakane]

I don't know how heavy your trailer is, but I use an aluminum adjustable hitch. Mine is rated up to 10K. It makes it easy to adjust for my yard trailer if going to the dump, or other trailers.

I now use a weight distribution hitch up to 14K and that also has different heights that can be set.

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by April Nelson

We just bought a 2021 Palamino Puma Destination trailer, and when picking it up from the RV dealer, we could not get the trailer hitch/coupler high enough to attach to the truck so a worker on a fork lift raised it up and we have to put blocks under the trailer hitch to get that height. We were told that we would have to keep 5 blocks under the trailer hitch or it would not get away to let the coupler hook to the truck. The truck is a 2020 Dodge Ram tradesman style 2500. So when the parked the RV and leveled it then detached, we put the five blocks under the trailer hitch as directed, but we cannot get the rv leveled now because the nose is too high. We put leveling block under the tires and nothing works. We put cement blocks under the scissor jack we have. Do we need to buy a different trailer hitch so we can lower the trailer down more in the front. Any help would be appreciated because we have to get this beast leveled.

I drive an older model Dodge Ram 2500 and don't have the problems you say you are encountering. Is yours perhaps a 4 wheel drive and/or you have oversize tires and/or a lift installed?


Can you post a pic of your truck and hitch setup? Thanks

[moose074]

I would suggest a good quality drop hitch, get the trl level then measure height from ground to bottom of hitch. We will say 17”. Now measure height of truck hitch say 21” . Now hook up trailer measure distance from ground say it’s drops to 18” inches then you need a 2 inch drop if my math is correct . If you still need the extra trailer tongue height then try this raises tongue up to 6”

[April Nelson]

Originally Posted by rakane

I don't know how heavy your trailer is, but I use an aluminum adjustable hitch. Mine is rated up to 10K. It makes it easy to adjust for my yard trailer if going to the dump, or other trailers.

I now use a weight distribution hitch up to 14K and that also has different heights that can be set.

Our trailer is about 11,000. What kind of aluminum hitch on the trailer do you use? Did you replace the original one that came on your rv?

[April Nelson]

Originally Posted by moose074

I would suggest a good quality drop hitch, get the trl level then measure height from ground to bottom of hitch. We will say 17”. Now measure height of truck hitch say 21” . Now hook up trailer measure distance from ground say it’s drops to 18” inches then you need a 2 inch drop if my math is correct . If you still need the extra trailer tongue height then try this raises tongue up to 6” Attachment 255934

Thank you so much for the information!!

[moose074]

Not a problem I would suggest a WDH with sway control, however if you are happy with how it towed it may not be needed.

[April Nelson]

Originally Posted by wmtire

I drive an older model Dodge Ram 2500 and don't have the problems you say you are encountering. Is yours perhaps a 4 wheel drive and/or you have oversize tires and/or a lift installed?


Can you post a pic of your truck and hitch setup? Thanks

It is a four wheel drive and the hitch on the truck is a weight distribution hitch with stabilizer bars that they put on at the rv dealer. I will have to add pics later.

[1100mike]

I have similar 4wd Ram with Equalizer WDH. Had to order a new shank from Equalizer with a 9 inch drop to level it out when I traded off the Ford 2wd..

[Bama Rambler]

Destination RV's are normally meant to be towed to a site and left for long periods of time. If that's the case with your RV and you're not going to be moving it, then you can use a bottle jack to hold the tongue up and remove most or all of the blocks under the tongue jack and lower the tongue to get the RV leveled.

As eluded to above you need to get a drop shank for your particular weight distribution hitch so that the RV tows level when you tow it.

Post pics of the truck, Weight distribution hitch, and RV tongue and we can help you figure this out.

[April Nelson]

Originally Posted by moose074

Not a problem I would suggest a WDH with sway control, however if you are happy with how it towed it may not be needed.

We have one that they put on at the rv dealer with weight distribution and sway bars.

[April Nelson]

Originally Posted by Bama Rambler

Destination RV's are normally meant to be towed to a site and left for long periods of time. If that's the case with your RV and you're not going to be moving it, then you can use a bottle jack to hold the tongue up and remove most or all of the blocks under the tongue jack and lower the tongue to get the RV leveled.

As eluded to above you need to get a drop shank for your particular weight distribution hitch so that the RV tows level when you tow it.

Post pics of the truck, Weight distribution hitch, and RV tongue and we can help you figure this out.

We are staying in one place for about 3 months then moving to another state but staying at that location permanently. I will post some pics in a bit. I really appreciate the info and help!

[April Nelson]

Originally Posted by 1100mike

I have similar 4wd Ram with Equalizer WDH. Had to order a new shank from Equalizer with a 9 inch drop to level it out when I traded off the Ford 2wd..

Ok I will look into those, thanks!!

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by April Nelson

It is a four wheel drive and the hitch on the truck is a weight distribution hitch with stabilizer bars that they put on at the rv dealer. I will have to add pics later.

I was afraid of this as I was figuring the dealer did not properly level the WDH (weight distribution hitch) when installing it to your vehicle....since you probably required some kind of drop shank to do it properly due to your trucks height.


This may give you an idea

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqZ4WhQIG-0

[April Nelson]

Originally Posted by wmtire

I was afraid of this as I was figuring the dealer did not properly level the WDH (weight distribution hitch) when installing it to your vehicle....since you probably required some kind of drop shank to do it properly due to your trucks height.


This may give you an idea

Ok thanks!! And that would not surprise me

[April Nelson]

Here are pics

[Cost4133]

i bet that height of hitch is pretty close. If it were me, id use a floor jack to support the tongue while you remove blocks or stack block under the tongue to support while you remove the blocks

[IsleDog]

A jack extension might work well for you.

https://www.amazon.com/Libra-Standar...58645095&psc=1

[April Nelson]

Originally Posted by Cost4133

i bet that height of hitch is pretty close. If it were me, id use a floor jack to support the tongue while you remove blocks or stack block under the tongue to support while you remove the blocks

Would that bulldog power jack work that is in that video posted here? That’s looks like it would be good to me

[April Nelson]

Originally Posted by IsleDog

A jack extension might work well for you.

https://www.amazon.com/Libra-Standar...58645095&psc=1

Ok thanks!