First time towing with Gladiator, help please.

[red/green hawk]

I have a 2020 max tow with 34s and no lift. I'm gonna be towing a 5x8 uhaul trailer. I need to get a hitch mount. How much drop do I need? Thanks in advance.

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[TestMule]

I seem to remember UHaul publishes hitch height for all their trailers on their website.

Get that dimension then go out and measure the drop from your hitch ball height (usually the top of the hitch tube on your truck) to the hitch height of the trailer.

That should give you the drop measurement you need to get the right hitch.

 

[Camaroboi13]

I’d look into a 1 1/2-2” drop. Personally, I just ran that same trailer 500 miles on a non drop hitch with 4.5” lift and 37s 2 weeks ago. It looked stupid and I drug a$$ out of the U-Haul driveway but it got the job done.

 

[Janster]

Do you plan on towing again in the future? If yes….I would highly recommend getting a good quality adjustable drawbar.
I highly recommend B&W tow & stow. I absolutely LOVE mine!

When you have a ‘lift’ and bigger tires, it’s really hard for any of us to determine what you need. If Uhaul has the same trailer on the lot….drive down before your trip and see exactly what you need first hand.

 

[ScoutVet19D]

I have a 2020 max tow with 34s and no lift. I'm gonna be towing a 5x8 uhaul trailer. I need to get a hitch mount. How much drop do I need? Thanks in advance.

34's no lift Sport a standard Uhaul off the shelf 2" drop hitch will work fine. If it was lifted you might look at a 4". Either way when you go to rent ask whoever is helping you at Uhaul if they can help you pick out a hitch. I've towed Uhaul trailers, Car carriers and cargo trailers, prob 25 times over the last 30 years as far as Florida to AZ. Military family. Car carriers was the opposite problem because the front of the their brand trailer hangs down pretty low and you have to keep it from dragging. You should be fine with a 2" drop.


This post on reddit has a pic of of somebody towing a 5x8 with a Sport and looks like a 2" drop hitch

 

[OVERLORD]

Second what Janster said.

Get a heavy duty adjustable.

 

[Stan H]

34's no lift Sport a standard Uhaul off the shelf 2" drop hitch will work fine. If it was lifted you might look at a 4". Either way when you go to rent ask whoever is helping you at Uhaul if they can help you pick out a hitch. I've towed Uhaul trailers, Car carriers and cargo trailers, prob 25 times over the last 30 years as far as Florida to AZ. Military family. Car carriers was the opposite problem because the front of the their brand trailer hangs down pretty low and you have to keep it from dragging. You should be fine with a 2" drop.


This post on reddit has a pic of of somebody towing a 5x8 with a Sport and looks like a 2" drop hitch

Before my lift 2.5drop I'm in a Rubicon. After the lift 4.5drop
2-2.5 .. if in doubt they will sell you one at most of the uhaul rental places. Unless it's a private uhaul rental site .

 

[jav_eee]

https://a.co/d/eETI9tv

 

[OVERLORD]

https://www.harborfreight.com/search?q=trailer hitch ball mount

 

[pcrawfordpt]

I have a 3.5” lift and two sets of wheels tires. On 35’s I use a “2 drop and on 37’s I use a 4” drop. As suggested earlier you might be fine with no drop? Best bet for limited use would be to get the 8 in 1 Adjustable from Harbor Freight…$42. 2” ball is another $10. If you think you’re going to use it regularly, then maybe invest in something better.
https://www.harborfreight.com/8-in-1-adjustable-ball-mount-hitch-95991.html

 

[Not2Late]

One thing to keep in mind is that the extent of the drop needed will be somewhat dependent on the loading of the trailer as well as the weight of what you may also have in the bed of the truck. You definately don't want an "angle up" on the trailer as it attaches to the hitch. That is a receipe for trailer sway - especially on a single axle trailer. Flat or ever so sightly down is the way to go. You want some loading on the hitch to settle the trailer down without exceeding the tongue weight max for your jeep. An adjustable hitch may be good to have as suggested by Janster. That way you can adjust it to see how it sits depending on the load.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

One thing to keep in mind is that the extent of the drop needed will be somewhat dependent on the loading of the trailer as well as the weight of what you may also have in the bed of the truck. You definately don't want an "angle up" on the trailer as it attaches to the hitch. That is a receipe for trailer sway - especially on a single axle trailer. Flat or ever so sightly down is the way to go. You want some loading on the hitch to settle the trailer down without exceeding the tongue weight max for your jeep. An adjustable hitch may be good to have as suggested by Janster. That way you can adjust it to see how it sits depending on the load.

Pretty much what's said above.

Front of trailer low adds to tongue weight -too low can be a problem when braking.
Front of trailer high shifts weight rearward and yes, can lead to sway.
Level is always best - you never know if you'll get into a situation.

 

[OVERLORD]

Pretty much what's said above.

Front of trailer low adds to tongue weight -too low can be a problem when braking.
Front of trailer high shifts weight rearward and yes, can lead to sway.
Level is always best - you never know if you'll get into a situation.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Yeah, I have several of such videos bookmarked. Some talk about leveling dual axle rigs, some single axle, and they explain the differences in weight transfer. They show weight being high compared to low and so on.
Another shows how the electronic trailer sway system works in our vehicles.

 

[mtudb24]

2" drop on a JT max tow and 35's With Mopar 2" lift

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