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Old 11-03-2010, 06:06 PM   #1
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Not Able to Tow

Hello all, kinda new here.
I bought my 2010 4x4 Quadvan new for travel and towing.
All factory towing accessories and airbags are on my van.
Thing is with a rear mounted tire on the Aluminess tire mount(on the stock bumper), I have no clearance to pull a trailer. Turning left is out of the question.
A hitch extension is not rated for 520 lbs tongue weight or a 4500 lb trailer (Tango).
About 350 lb tongue weight and 3500 lb trailer weight max for the hitch extensions.

I can get rid of the tire mount (pull the floor storage box, weld the floor back and tire back underneath) or get rid of the trailer, or....

Any options????

Right now I am foiled at pulling a trailer with my Quadvan and exterior tire mount...
Not happy.



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Old 11-03-2010, 06:41 PM   #2
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Re: Not Able to Tow

A couple of options:

- Swap the location of the propane tanks and the batteries on the trailer

- Get a hitch extender for the van Etailer has some for upto a 4000# trailer
http://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Hitch_A ... ender.aspx

Here some more extenders:

http://www.prolineracks.com/hitch-extenders.html
http://www.cabelas.com/fryprod-0/produc ... .uts.shtml
http://www.jcwhitney.com/hitch-extensio ... ilterid=j1
http://www.bikerackshops.com/CTDHX2.html

Mike
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Old 11-03-2010, 07:05 PM   #3
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Re: Not Able to Tow

I'm having a similar problem with my flatbed trailer. I've also got the Galley Box which makes it worse. I've decided to move the trailer jack back and make it cleaner to turn.

Paul
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Old 11-03-2010, 09:09 PM   #4
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Re: Not Able to Tow

There are two hitches for a ford van one is the factory flat bumper and then there is one for a factory Step Bumper. The step bumper hitch extends out further but keeps your tow rating? Good luck

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Old 11-03-2010, 09:25 PM   #5
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Re: Not Able to Tow

I like the tanks/batteries swap idea. Never thought of that. ...Hate to mod a new trailer.
That ought to kill the warranty.
The trailer tongue seems abnormally short to me, but this is my first travel trailer, so I'm not sure about that.
Clearances are tight.

So far any hitch extension has not been spec'd to handle my 520 lb TW/4500 lb trailer weight.

Oh, even with the tanks/batts swap room is minimal.

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Old 11-03-2010, 10:36 PM   #6
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Re: Not Able to Tow

Have you looked into a longer hitch, not a hitch extension?
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Old 11-03-2010, 10:42 PM   #7
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Re: Not Able to Tow

Skip the hitch extensions.

Most adjustable hitches stick out further than a fixed ballmount.

I have pretty much the same setup on my van, and turning with trailers using the adjustable hitch or a WD hitch is not a problem. If I use a fixed ballmount, then I use a Valley 8" extension.

Your receiver is inset more than others. Like mentioned above, you could switch to the Step bumper model, and it'll stick out more.

I have a Reunel bumper-receiver on mine:
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Old 11-04-2010, 01:09 AM   #8
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Re: Not Able to Tow

Quote:
Originally Posted by carringb
Skip the hitch extensions.

Most adjustable hitches stick out further than a fixed ballmount.

I have pretty much the same setup on my van, and turning with trailers using the adjustable hitch or a WD hitch is not a problem. If I use a fixed ballmount, then I use a Valley 8" extension.

Your receiver is inset more than others. Like mentioned above, you could switch to the Step bumper model, and it'll stick out more.

I have a Reunel bumper-receiver on mine:
I'm a little confused here.
Factory step bumper. Factory receiver.
Wrong factory receiver?
Would/does Ford have a different receiver for each style of bumper?

Different receivers would/could sit farther back gaining clearance?

I will be at the Ford dealer tomorrow.
I will look into the possibility of two receivers available.
Then to aftermarket and check for how far to the rear they sit.
A weight distribution hitch gains me only 6" in length apparently.

I don't believe I have an interference problem on a new van and trailer.
It shouldn't be.

FWIW, I did pull the trailer home when the van was stock and 2wd.
I thought it was close then but I thought thats just the way it is.
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Old 11-04-2010, 01:21 AM   #9
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Re: Not Able to Tow

I just loaded this pic below off of the random galleries.
Huge difference in van to trailer distance compared to mine...


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Old 11-04-2010, 02:05 AM   #10
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Not Able to Tow

Put your spare in/on the trailer when you tow.
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