Aluminess deluxe box and towing clearance

[maxacceleration]

Extensions reduce the capacity of your receiver hitch, by a lot, if you are considering a heavy trailer & tongue weight.
A weight distribution hitch & sway bar set-up will give extra lentgh and more weight carrying capacity. And keeps your vehicle from 'bucking' over bumps.

I had clearance issues also. Couldn't turn but a small amount.


Still tight but doable, thats almost a 90 degree turn.

[BIGVANS]

Originally Posted by ANZAC

Another option is a rotating/folding trailer jack I guess.

Yes! Or a D/C electric one with no external handle. Like maxacceleration's

[ANZAC]

Originally Posted by BIGVANS

Yes! Or a D/C electric one with no external handle. Like maxacceleration's

Link? The ones I have seen are very tall and have the motor up top. The handle is not my issue, it is the height of the post.

[Ford_6L_E350]

He is talking about the one in the picture 2 posts up.

Mike

[ANZAC]

Originally Posted by Ford_6L_E350

He is talking about the one in the picture 2 posts up.

Mike

Yeah, that motorized jack is BIGGER than my jack and would provide less clearance.

I think I will try the longer draw bar, that should give me just enough clearance to allow the trailer to move around more.

[capnjim]

My new van is on a car carrier as I write this headed for Asheville NC and a date with Chris at Ujoint. I'm building a 4x4 extendend van to pull a 8000 lb travel trailer. Currently we own a 4x4 class C. We live in our unit 3 months a year currently, soon six months a year. We want to move to a base camp strategy with a basic van camper for short term rustic camping and exploring. Anyway, let me get to the question. We have the van spec'd out to have Aluminus bumpers front and back. Our current unit has an Aluminus bumper and we love it. We are worried about the clearance between the spare and the propane bottles as well as the power jack. The van is being built with a six inch lift and 35" tires. Will a deluxe box fit with 35" tires? Are the boxes bolted on? Can they be removed or added latter? Will the box stick out further than 35" tires which are 12.5 wide I think? Anyone have an Aluminus bumper without spare or box? What does it look like? We understand the solution is a weight distributing hitch set up. Will we be able to use a drop ball and weight distribution set up? Too many things to think about... Ideas?

Jim Grant
2006 Quigley class C Rv
2006 E350 EB 6.0PSD

[carringb]

We understand the solution is a weight distributing hitch set up. Will we be able to use a drop ball and weight distribution set up?

Yes, the WD hitches are adjustable, but for that much lift you will probably need a longer drop-shank. Also try to order the longest version available to give you more turning clearance.

[capnjim]

Some of my answer is here http://www.blueox.com/p-1158-droprise-receivers.aspx

It looks like a drop shank rated for 10,000 pounds is not a problem. It also looks like the drop shank also will provide a little extension as well.

Jim

[copescobra]

Saw the pics in your gallery for the type c camper. Love the way you put a box on the front receiver to also carry the bikes.

Are you planning to do the same on your SMB?

I happen to have my VAn at Ujoint now getting the 4x4 with Chris doing a Cummins Conversion special so i can also tow a heavy trailer behind me.

I will be interested in knowing what you finally decide as your tow solution given the similar circumstances.

Please share with us what you finally decide to do as i for one am not knowledgable in this area and want to be sure to do it the safest way possible.

thanks for sharing...

copes

[outopawn]

I can not post a picture at this time because my trailer is at my shop 20 miles away. I just swapped the propane bottles with my dual batteries. The 35 spare tire on my Aluminess clears the batteries and come close to the propane but still has a little clearance. I use a Henley Arrow hitch system and not sure if that lengthens the distance but try the bottle/ battery switch.