Towing dilemma

[Billus338063]

I can't believe I'm the only one who's had this problem so here goes. Our camper is a 25 foot Coachmen APEX tag-along. My tow vehicle is or was an F-150. Now I have a RAM 2500 and the receiver on it is several inches higher than on the F150. I need to tow the APEX to the dealership to trade it for the 5th wheel we plan on buying. Do I need to purchase a whole new receiver that sits lower in order to line it up better with the APEX? On the old truck we had weight distribution/sway bars. Will I be okay to just hook the old camper to the new truck? I don't even know if the 2 will come together. Do I need to bring the 2500 to the dealership so it can be re-fitted? Ideas please. Thanks.
Bill

[moose074]

Not sure which WD you have but must have a long shank and you are able to adjust the height of the ball. You might even have to invert. I used my equalizer 4 pt on my 2011 Ram 2500, 2014 Tundra 2 wheel, 2014 F150 4x4 and 2016 F350 4x4.
If you can’t do that then wal mart tractor supply or auto parts stores have one of these because it’s a 7 inch drop it more expensive than the 2 or 4 inch drops.

Also if you can hook up the truck might squat enough to make it towable

[Billus338063]

Thanks Moose. If I go with what you show in your picture I'll have to tow without the WD. Attached is what I have.

[SlowrideHD]

You won't need the wd hitch for the trip to the dealer if you tow with the 2500.

[BigH]

Bill,

Check your trucks owner manual...2500hd's don't have the same wdh requirements that half tonners require. In the manual there will be info on the amount of weight that requires a wdh for your wheelbase.

My truck wouldn't require a wdh for your trailer but I wouldn't want to pull it nose high so I would do as previously suggested and run to the hardware store to buy a cheapy with the proper drop (and rating) to pull the trailer to the dealer.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by Billus338063

Thanks Moose. If I go with what you show in your picture I'll have to tow without the WD. Attached is what I have.

Doesn't that hitch have the ability to lower the ball/mount by removing the bolts and moving the mount on the square shank?

If so just drop it as low as possible and tow it to the dealer without the bars.

[moose074]

Originally Posted by Billus338063

Thanks Moose. If I go with what you show in your picture I'll have to tow without the WD. Attached is what I have.

It looks like you have about 4 inches of drop that should help a lot it’s the two bolts on the side. How far away is dealer if reasonable close you might make it. That said with impact gun or cheater bar hook up receiver to truck to help hold in place. It’s quick and easy. You might get lower inverting the head unit

[spicercars]

Borrow or buy a drop receiver and tow it to the dealership without the bars. You don't need them for a single trip with a 2500.

[moose074]

Originally Posted by spicercars

Borrow or buy a drop receiver and tow it to the dealership without the bars. You don't need them for a single trip with a 2500.

If gonna use standard hitch for other trailers great ideal. If spending 10 minutes to drop hitch height. OP can save money doesn’t have to use bars

[hack522]

When I tow mine locally, I use the WDH but no bars. It's only necessary for long distance highway use. Good luck.

[007matman]

Originally Posted by Billus338063

Thanks Moose. If I go with what you show in your picture I'll have to tow without the WD. Attached is what I have.

The hitch looks like it's in the top position.

Just drop it down to the bottom.. don't worry about proper setup.. you only need the ball.

If you sell the hitch (which is what I'd recommend) seperately the next guy will need to set up up anyway. If it's not 100% level I wouldn't worry about it.. you're not towing far, correct? As long as the bumper doesn't drag you'll be fine.

[spicercars]

Originally Posted by moose074

If gonna use standard hitch for other trailers great ideal. If spending 10 minutes to drop hitch height. OP can save money doesn’t have to use bars

That's why I said maybe borrow one. And yes no bars.

[Billus338063]

Thanks everyone!

[hack522]

By the way, does your TV level automatically? Mine does which is why locally it isn't an issue.

[Ortep]

I wouldn't waste money on a new hitch, use what you have. Tow the trade-in to the dealer and get your new 5th wheel and be done with it. With that said, you haven't told us how far the dealer is from you, that always helps when asking for recommendations of this sort.

[Boomerweps]

My SIL tows a long TT toy hauler using a Ram 2500 SRW diesel. Uses a appropriate 2&1/4" drop hitch for leveling. Never uses a WDH. Me, I'd use a WDH but he has no problems. He routinely tows a 400 mile one way trip to a 4 wheeler event.

[67L48]

Originally Posted by 5picker

Doesn't that hitch have the ability to lower the ball/mount by removing the bolts and moving the mount on the square shank?

If so just drop it as low as possible and tow it to the dealer without the bars.

That.

Super easy and $0. Will take you 5 minutes to drop the head of that hitch to the lowest position on the shank. Done. Hitch and go. Don't worry about the WD components.

[yetavon]

Id drop your current WDH down and not worry about the bars.