GlennWest Posted November 29, 2015 Report Share Posted November 29, 2015 My pin on Teton is as high as will go, I did this due to height of dually. My pin box height is 46.750. My hitch is 14. measured on level concrete pad so very close to accurate level. Should I drop my pin box, that would put it at height when I got it. Original owner towed it with a mdt. As it is I could raise it but not lower it with pin box once hitch height is determined on Freightliner. 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark and Dale Bruss Posted November 29, 2015 Report Share Posted November 29, 2015 What are you measuring when you say "my hitch is 12.5"? Is that from the ground to the top of the hitch plate? Your frame rails are 40". You will have to drop in the hitch between the frames rails. If your pin has been raised as far as possible, I would drop the pin a bit and then position the hitch to fit. You want to leave some adjustment capabilities, both up and down to get the trailer to tow level. Changing the pin height is a lot easier than the hitch height. Please click for Emails instead of PM Mark & DaleJoey - 2016 Bounder 33C Tige - 2006 40' Travel SupremeSparky III - 2021 Mustang Mach-e, off the the Road since 2019 Useful HDT Truck, Trailer, and Full-timing Info atwww.dmbruss.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted November 29, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 29, 2015 My mistake. Corrected. I looked at manufacturers site for that measurement. I then remembered it was custom build so I pulled tape. It is 14 inches high, 24 long, 18w. Yes that is what what I was thinking too. I will drop it to next set of holes. Mine drops an angle to front. It should drop 2", right? 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted November 29, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 29, 2015 Ok. It's now 44.750 and in neutral (can go up or down) position. This is why I could never level Teton with my dually. Always little high. In 2003 likely they never dreamed someone would tow it with a ldt. Just for future reference what is height of Henry's hitches? If I ever replace mine I likely go with him. 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Mayer Posted November 30, 2015 Report Share Posted November 30, 2015 A standard bolster plate is around 47". I say "around" because they do vary a little - +/- an inch or so. I would target a standard setup IF you can. Otherwise you have to do whatever is required to get it to work. To be clear - I would target my truck plate height to be 47". Then see if you can make your trailer work with that. If not you will have to adjust the truck somehow. But almost all trailers work with a truck plate of 47". You want the truck to be more "universal" if you can - for the next trailer..... Jack & Danielle Mayer #60376 Lifetime Member Living on the road since 2000PLEASE no PM's. Email me. jackdanmayer AT gmail 2016 DRV Houston 44' 5er (we still have it) 2022 New Horizons 43' 5er 2016 Itasca 27N 28' motorhome 2019 Volvo 860, D13 455/1850, 236" wb, I-Shift, battery-based APU No truck at the moment - we use one of our demo units 2016 smart Passion, piggyback on the truck -------------------------------------------------------------------------See our website for info on New Horizons 5th wheels, HDTs as tow vehicles, communications on the road, and use of solar powerwww.jackdanmayer.com Principal in RVH Lifestyles. RVH-Lifestyles.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted November 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 30, 2015 I would be about 2.5" high if I went to 47". I have been towing it this high with no problems. No hot tires. I want to tow level though. Jack you really threw a wrench in this. I was considering later, year or so, independent suspension. Teton will get taller then. It's over 13' now. 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Mayer Posted November 30, 2015 Report Share Posted November 30, 2015 Glenn, as long as you know what you are getting into you do what you have to do. If you can accommodate the 47" then that works well, but sometimes it is simply not possible. Jack & Danielle Mayer #60376 Lifetime Member Living on the road since 2000PLEASE no PM's. Email me. jackdanmayer AT gmail 2016 DRV Houston 44' 5er (we still have it) 2022 New Horizons 43' 5er 2016 Itasca 27N 28' motorhome 2019 Volvo 860, D13 455/1850, 236" wb, I-Shift, battery-based APU No truck at the moment - we use one of our demo units 2016 smart Passion, piggyback on the truck -------------------------------------------------------------------------See our website for info on New Horizons 5th wheels, HDTs as tow vehicles, communications on the road, and use of solar powerwww.jackdanmayer.com Principal in RVH Lifestyles. RVH-Lifestyles.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted November 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 30, 2015 Thank you for your insight. I'm thinking level now. If I am close to Baytown where shop is it would not be a big job for me to raise hitch plate. Some 2.5" tube steel on top of angle that is bolted to chassis would bring it right up. It would amaze you how fast I can "unweld" a plate. Ever seen an arc gouger in action? Saves the steel also. 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted November 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 30, 2015 I did some further measuring and I can do 47. Pad not level. Camper is level but down in front with concrete. Chassis is dropping 1" in 15 ft. Low in front. And I have 2" adjustment in pin box either way. That will give more bed clearance also. Thanks 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark and Dale Bruss Posted December 1, 2015 Report Share Posted December 1, 2015 You have to check the trailer being level when connect to the truck. Mark Shelly and I spent a lot of time trying to come up with the physics but my trailer pin height is lower when the trailer is level on the ground versus level connect to the truck. There is a weight shift from the front jacks to the hitch which changes the center of gravity and the load on the suspension. You can do a lot of measuring but the best thing is to connect the trailer, or dump the pin weight onto the truck, to see what the pin height is with the trailer connected. Please click for Emails instead of PM Mark & DaleJoey - 2016 Bounder 33C Tige - 2006 40' Travel SupremeSparky III - 2021 Mustang Mach-e, off the the Road since 2019 Useful HDT Truck, Trailer, and Full-timing Info atwww.dmbruss.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigtrailer Posted December 1, 2015 Report Share Posted December 1, 2015 Glenn, How much air are in your bags. You should be able to raise or lower them, not with the switch on the dash, it is the leveling valve on the rear axle or front axle. You only need to be off the "pedestal" a couple inches so the bags don't touch the flared part of the base to allow for bumps. Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigtrailer Posted December 1, 2015 Report Share Posted December 1, 2015 Gloenn, I forgot to mention this. My Freightliner was also too high. I have a gooseneck set up, (boy, don't open up that subject again). I went to 255/75R22.5 tires, the kind they use on drop deck semi trailers. It gives the trailer a 40 inch deck height on the bottom floor. Now, your going to drop, depending on tire brand 2-3 inches at least if your on 275/R22.5 or 285/R22.5. Being a fleet truck it most likely be the first number. You should not have to drop the bags, that is just an extra. Those tires match perfectly with your rims, and will carry, depending on the brand, up to 125PSI, and you can find them everywhere. I run Hankook, and have for years on my drops with very minimal failure, mostly by the drivers curbing them. Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted December 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 1, 2015 Sorry guys. The truck is not in my possession yet. It is going this week to a welding shop in Houston. I am in Convent Louisana. Dealer is delivering it for me. I am trying to come up with hitch height so shop knows where to install hitch plate. Are you saying the rear of a semi drops under load. I thought the leveling valve stopped that. 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted December 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 1, 2015 Also truck has the shorter tires. I would not have bought it with the tall tires. 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted December 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 1, 2015 Also, I dont have a dump valve on dash. It is a pull handle under cab on top of fuel tanks. I would love to have a dump valve on dash. 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark and Dale Bruss Posted December 1, 2015 Report Share Posted December 1, 2015 How much air are in your bags. You should be able to raise or lower them, not with the switch on the dash, it is the leveling valve on the rear axle or front axle. You only need to be off the "pedestal" a couple inches so the bags don't touch the flared part of the base to allow for bumps. You should not mess with the leveling valve. Its purpose is to keep the drive shaft universals in alignment. Are you saying the rear of a semi drops under load. I thought the leveling valve stopped that. Not the truck, the trailer can rise. Please click for Emails instead of PM Mark & DaleJoey - 2016 Bounder 33C Tige - 2006 40' Travel SupremeSparky III - 2021 Mustang Mach-e, off the the Road since 2019 Useful HDT Truck, Trailer, and Full-timing Info atwww.dmbruss.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted December 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 1, 2015 Not saying it don't but I have never seen any deflection in my Teton pin box 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted December 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 1, 2015 That truck also has new rubber front and tandems. Won't be changing them any time soon 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark and Dale Bruss Posted December 1, 2015 Report Share Posted December 1, 2015 You are not visualizing this yet. Trailer is on the truck and is level. We disconnect the truck and we start to level the trailer with the Big Foot. The truck is at its ride height a couple a feet ahead of the pin. The trailer drops the pin down below the height of the hitch and then levels the trailer. The trailer is now level and lower than it was on the truck by a couple of inches. If I had set the hitch to the height of the leveled trailer on the ground, it would have been a couple of inches low. I just had the hitch height set to 47" as that was the consensus at the time. I then adjusted the trailer pin when we got the trailer to make the trailer ride level. Please click for Emails instead of PM Mark & DaleJoey - 2016 Bounder 33C Tige - 2006 40' Travel SupremeSparky III - 2021 Mustang Mach-e, off the the Road since 2019 Useful HDT Truck, Trailer, and Full-timing Info atwww.dmbruss.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billr Posted December 1, 2015 Report Share Posted December 1, 2015 Mine set at 47" hitch top from ground as well. Can adjust trailer pin as req The plate the ET hitch is bolted to is 4.5" from bottom of frame outside to top edge of plate. Like Mark said. No adj on truck. Leave ride height as it should be stock. Bill and Joan and 3 Collie pups 2001 Volvo VNL 770 "The Doghouse" Singled short, "ET" hItch VED12 465HP Gen 1 Autoshift 3.58 ratio 2005 Mobile Suite 38RL3 2011 Smart Passion loaded piggybacK Weigh-It Portable RV Scales http://www.weighitrv.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HERO Maker Posted December 1, 2015 Report Share Posted December 1, 2015 Glenn, what suspension do you have on the Teton? Sorry if I missed it stated already. Rocky & Sheri Rhoades '01 Volvo 770 2016 DRV Mobile Suites, HoustonHERO Makers Ministry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted December 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 1, 2015 It is the standard suspension, springs and shackles, 3 axles. Want IS on it but have to wait. Lot on plate now. I have never seen what Mark is stating. Now my dually goes way up when I unhook so I would never noticed it if it did. If what Mark is stating is fact how would one determine the height for hitch on truck? Have to have something to go on. 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoDirectionHome Posted December 1, 2015 Report Share Posted December 1, 2015 Whoever mounts your hitch after singling, can add ballast to the back of the truck to simulate your pin weight to determine hitch height and match your leveled trailer pin box height "There are No Experts, Do the Math!" 2014 Freightliner Cascadia DD16 600hp 1850ft-lb 18spd 3.31 260"wb SpaceCraft S-470 SKP #131740 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted December 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 1, 2015 So you are saying it does like my truck and lowers under weight? I was under the impression that the leveling valve took care of that. 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alie&Jim's Carrilite Posted December 1, 2015 Report Share Posted December 1, 2015 Whoever mounts your hitch after singling, can add ballast to the back of the truck to simulate your pin weight to determine hitch height and match your leveled trailer pin box height It doesn't matter how much ballast you add, the leveling valve will still bring the truck up to the factory rail height which keeps the drive train in alignment. Alie & Jim + 8 paws 2017 DRV Memphis BART- 1998 Volvo 610 Lil'ole 6cyl Cummins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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