Towing questions

[Go2mt]

About to pickup up our Oliver II at the factory on March 4th.   Our tow vehicle is a 1500 Chevrolet.   Please confirm that the top of the hitch ball is 23.5 to 24.5.   Is the ball size 2 5/16?   Is the recommended ball height the unladen height without the trailer?  Thank you!
John Conn & Linda Bush, Michigan

Hull #752
 

 

Edited February 15, 2021 by Go2mt

[Ray Kimsey]

6 minutes ago, Go2mt said:

About to pickup up our Oliver II at the factory.   Our tow vehicle is 1500 Chevrolet.   Please confirm that the top of hitch ball is 23.5 to 24.5.   Is the ball size 2 5/16?   Is the recommended ball height the unladen height without the trailer.  Thank

The standard size that they install is a 2" ball.

 

[BackofBeyond]

2" ball. Your in the ball park with your hitch height- unladen. 

However, each situation may be different - based upon payloads, where you have stuff stowed in the Ollie, ext., 

After your all hitched up, and loaded as you would be for a normal trip - take the time to find a nice flat spot, and take a look at how your truck and trailer are setting. A slight bias to the front - lower in the front of Ollie - is desired.  I actually run mine at level - but just barely. I am sure each trip and loading results change the ball weight in either direction. The Walmart just outside the Oliver sales and service complex would be a fine place to check your self out.

Your settings worked for my 2004 GMC. However it didn't have the power delivery I wanted - so I upgraded to a 2500. 

Of course these are my opinions and worth about what one pays for them. 🤑

Happy Trails

RB

OFD

Edited February 15, 2021 by BackofBeyond

[John E Davies]

You probably need the Andersen hitch, almost all light trucks do for the LE2 because of the fairly high tongue weight. Oliver will set it up for you at delivery day. It is adjustable for height.

John Davies

Spokane WA

Edited February 15, 2021 by John E Davies

[topgun2]

Go2 - 

I'd add to what JD said above and strongly suggest that if your 1500 is still under warranty you there is no "probably" in getting the Andersen unless you want to take the risk of losing that warranty and/or having liability issues in the event of an accident.

Bill

[Go2mt]

20 minutes ago, John E Davies said:

You probably need the Andersen hitch, almost all light trucks do for the LE2 because of the fairly high tongue weight. Oliver will set it up for you at delivery day. It is adjustable for height.

John Davies

Spokane WA

Thank you

[Go2mt]

8 minutes ago, topgun2 said:

Go2 - 

I'd add to what JD said above and strongly suggest that if your 1500 is still under warranty you there is no "probably" in getting the Andersen unless you want to take the risk of losing that warranty and/or having liability issues in the event of an accident.

Bill

Thank you

[Pat Maundrell]

On 2/15/2021 at 1:18 PM, Go2mt said:

Thank you

I've got a 2019 Andersen Hitch complete with the Updated Head, $300.00 plus shipping, Call Pat 513 891 5112.

[topgun2]

Pat - 

I started to recommend that you also post this over in Classifieds but then I saw that you already had completed that action.

In both cases though, you might want to consider adjusting your phone number to make it more difficult for BOT's and Spammers to read it.  Something like:

five one 3 8 nine 1 5 one one 2 is an example.

Bill

p.s.  good luck!

[hobo]

On 2/15/2021 at 12:27 PM, Ray Kimsey said:

The standard size that they install is a 2" ball.

 

For a small up-charge, they will convert the BullDog hitch to a 2 5/16".  We did that with ours.

[Trainman]

I have pulled my Elite II with our 4wd Ram 1500 with no problems when we first got it, but the weight factor is where you could have a problem. Most half ton pickups pretty much max out at 500 lbs. tongue weight, so for insurance and safety reasons you need the Anderson hitch to put you in the safe range.  Yes, you could have an accident and if it went to court you could loose the case and your insurance could deny paying the claim because you over loaded your tow vehicle beyond the manufactures ratings. It takes a 3/4 ton pickup for an Oliver Elite II to be within the safety range for towing said vehicle.

 

trainman

[Geronimo John]

Long ago I upgraded to the 2 5/16 hitch.  Glad I did.  Would do it again.  

Lots of discussions on this topic.  Suggest you search the blog.