Towing without removing spare tire

How long should the tow bar be so I cam tow a small trailer w/out removing the spare tire?

Many thanks.

73s & best regards,
K7AAY

It would depend on the height of the trailer, the type of hitch & the ball height. My trailer need a 2" drop on the ball. I use a standared 2"drop draw bar. The coupler just hits the tire then it is open. I have to mess with it a little to drop on correctly. No big deal.

With my draw-tite hitch and a 2" drop it works perfect!

With the factory hitch, I'm using a 12" drawbar with 2" drop. You have to play a little when putting the trailer on, but it does work. If you can get a 14" drawbar that will give you the perfect clearance. If you can avoid it, don't get a drawbar extension as that will lower the overall hitch capacity rating.

Hope this helps

Where to get a drawbar

mcdougal said:

With the factory hitch, I'm using a 12" drawbar with 2" drop. You have to play a little when putting the trailer on, but it does work. If you can get a 14" drawbar that will give you the perfect clearance. If you can avoid it, don't get a drawbar extension as that will lower the overall hitch capacity rating.

Hope this helps

Click to expand...

And, where does one find a 14" drawbar? Longest I've found is 11".

www.ontheball.com should be able to help you out. I think they offer up to a 16" if i remember correctly.

Good luck and happy towing!

There is a much easier way to do it. Attach the draw bar, with ball of course, onto the trailer tounge before you put the draw bar into the receiver. Then simply line it up level on a piece of lumber and back into it. With my utility trailer i can pull the trailer into the receiver withlittle effort, no need to back into it. Just don't forget the pin the holds the draw bar into the receiver of course.

Silver Streak
`05 CRD Sport