My advice would be to contact a trailer sales company as there maybe an adapter block available to fit between the hitch and the A frame to level out the trailer. You haven't entered your location so can't advise anywhere local you can visit for an inspection and rectification but just as an example, the company that fitted my towbar is a member of the NTTA (National Trailer & Towing Association) who also sells trailers, roof bars and roofboxes and make trailer adaptions where needed that complies with UK law.
Either a block below the tow-hitch or a pair of larger wheels would do it, assuming you can find some with the correct bolt spacings. I doubt whether a load in a trailer of that size would bring the back of the car down much. I have a trailer that looks the same as that and I have had it loaded to the maximum. If the back of my car dropped by half an inch I'd be surprised. My caravan, which is much heavier on the tow-hitch, doesn't move it much more.
I think I'd be inclined to look at larger wheels, as they would have lower rotational speeds. If you travel any distance at motorway speeds with a trailer that size (I don't as I mainly use mine for trips to the local tip), think of how fast those wheels are turning, wearing out tyres and wheel bearings.
Thanks all great advice, only drive maybe an hour an a roads mainly to our main camp, will definitely look at maybe some 10” wheels though.
Also a spacer for the hitch!
Measured my towbar and pretty sure it sits too high, thought max was 420mm fully laden ? This is empty but can’t see it going down too much when loaded ?
Should I complain, it was factory fitted from Lexus…
Firstly, If you choose to put bigger wheels on the trailer you need to make sure that the PCD (4 x mounting holes) are identical which could be a costly mistake if they are not and secondly, it maybe a legal requirement to fix mudguards with bigger wheels as well. The best and easiest solution is like I said in my previous post is to install a steel box section cut to length between the hitch and trailer A frame with extension bolts mounted right through the hitch, adapter and the A frame.
There is nothing wrong with the towball as they are manufactured to the correct height. The problem is with the trailer so best not to confuse which is right and which is wrong.
What you cannot do is put bigger wheels on AND put a spacer block on the hitch as well otherwise you may end end up with the opposite problem with the trailer being nose down. The correction has to be a choice of one or the other to make it right.
When we bought our first trailer tent, the tow ball was somewhat too high on our car.
I bought a drop plate. This was a square of high tensile steel with four holes drilled in it. Took off the tow ball, fitted the drop plate with the top set of holes and the tow ball was fixed on the lower set of holes. problem solved.
Quote: Originally posted by Ancient Uncle on 18/3/2023
When we bought our first trailer tent, the tow ball was somewhat too high on our car.
I bought a drop plate. This was a square of high tensile steel with four holes drilled in it. Took off the tow ball, fitted the drop plate with the top set of holes and the tow ball was fixed on the lower set of holes. problem solved.
I done the same myself in the past when most cars had bolt-on tow-balls, but a lot of cars these days don't have them, they have the swan-neck type. You can't fit a drop plate with them.
Quote: Originally posted by Ancient Uncle on 18/3/2023
When we bought our first trailer tent, the tow ball was somewhat too high on our car.
I bought a drop plate. This was a square of high tensile steel with four holes drilled in it. Took off the tow ball, fitted the drop plate with the top set of holes and the tow ball was fixed on the lower set of holes. problem solved.
I done the same myself in the past when most cars had bolt-on tow-balls, but a lot of cars these days don't have them, they have the swan-neck type. You can't fit a drop plate with them.
I've done the same in the past on a Land Rover, but not an option with a swan neck anyway, BUT probably also illegal and potential MOT failure these days! Tow bars on vehicles register since 1 Aug 1998 need to be type approved, modifications are not permitted, and tow bar inspection is part of the MOT test as of 27 April 2009!
Perhaps bizarrely, trailers are subject to less regulation and scrutiny, so the DIY spacer between draw bar/A frame and hitch coupling, or swapping wheels for larger diameter should be fine if done correctly!
Yes times have changed Monty15. Gone are the days when I used to make my own tow-bars and nearly all towing vehicles had bolt-on tow balls. Mine still has so I could potentially fit a drop-plate if I needed it, but I don't. Is a drop-plate now considered an illegal modification? I haven't actually seen anything to that effect, but I suppose it is quite possible.
I believe towbars have to be type tested for both the towbar and hitch and the car mountings and that this is now part of the MOT test. Has been for a while. I would guess a drop plate would be included in that.
Quote: Originally posted by navver on 19/3/2023
I believe towbars have to be type tested for both the towbar and hitch and the car mountings and that this is now part of the MOT test. Has been for a while. I would guess a drop plate would be included in that.
Yes that is correct, but a drop-plate is something supplied by towing suppliers, and as far as I know is still available, so would simply installing one make it an illegal modification? I have no need of one but I'm still curious.
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Topic: New car tow bar high
via mobile 18/3/2023 at 7:58am
