Trailer hitch recommendations

[JBradleyD]

We use our 2021 Badlands Sasquatch with the factory towing package to pull our offroad trailer. Currently, I use an extension with an adjustable hitch that extends beyond the spare tire. I don't like having the connection point that far rearward because I know it reduces the already low towing capacity. I also worry about the off-road durability of all those connection points. For this setup, I had to extend the safety chains and wiring, but I'm still a little below level with the trailer.

I can't find the right hitch or setup where the trailer will sit level while towing without extending the hitch a mile back. I installed the Barnes Offroad spare tire relocation kit to move the tire up two inches, but that didn't help either. I looked into everything from articulating hitches to extension hitches and nothing seems like it's going to work.

The way I see it now, I have two options. A) have an adjustable channel bracket welded to the tongue of the trailer and use a bolt-on coupler to move the connection point down or B) I completely remove the spare tire.

Does anyone have a suggestion before I take one of these drastic options?

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[Tricky Mike]

Lock N Roll for the win.

 

[MNBigfoot]

Put the same size tires on your trailer, and delete your Bronco spare (since you have a spare mounted on the trailer).

 

[Brian_B]

In your case, I don't see any way around your two options if you want to keep the tongue level. You've already got a drop hitch, and raised the spare tire - not much else you can do on the Bronco side. Really need an adjustable coupler on the trailer too

I guess the third option is to run the tailer with a bit of rake, which wouldn't really hurt anything, but could cause stuff to shift around a bit more than normal if you didn't take care when loading it.

The axle on that trailer already sits so far back, I imagine it's difficult to get good load distribution on it. Probably off roads great though.

 

[Brian_B]

Put the same size tires on your trailer, and delete your Bronco spare (since you have a spare mounted on the trailer).

That... is genius.

 

[CalvinT]

Seems to me that if you remove the spare tire you can increase tongue weight by the same amount.

 

[JBradleyD]

Lock N Roll for the win.

That doesn’t solve my problem though.

 

[JBradleyD]

Put the same size tires on your trailer, and delete your Bronco spare (since you have a spare mounted on the trailer).

I love this idea and I’ve thought about it. Just not sure how to go about lifting the trailer to clear the tires.

 

[JBradleyD]

In your case, I don't see any way around your two options if you want to keep the tongue level. You've already got a drop hitch, and raised the spare tire - not much else you can do on the Bronco side. Really need an adjustable coupler on the trailer too

I guess the third option is to run the tailer with a bit of rake, which wouldn't really hurt anything, but could cause stuff to shift around a bit more than normal if you didn't take care when loading it.

The axle on that trailer already sits so far back, I imagine it's difficult to get good load distribution on it. Probably off roads great though.

The main headache with it not sitting level is I have to unhook it every time we set the tent up so we can level the trailer. I’m not terribly concerned with the little rake it has while driving.
The trailer definitely does what it’s intended off-road so no complaints there. I normally position the cooler and heavier things as far back as I can.

 

[JBradleyD]

Seems to me that if you remove the spare tire you can increase tongue weight by the same amount.

Seems reasonable to me.

 

[Tricky Mike]

That doesn’t solve my problem though.

How doesn't it? You only need half inch of room under the tire to unhitch it.

 

[JBradleyD]

How doesn't it? You only need half inch of room under the tire to unhitch it.

Level plane with the trailer would be a couple of inches above the bottom of the spare tire.

 

[Tricky Mike]

Level plane with the trailer would be a couple of inches above the bottom of the spare tire.

Then an adjustable coupler it is. It will take a competent fabricator an hour to make the change.

 

[Mtnmn99]

I use a lock N Role with a 2-inch drop. It fits and is articulates well.

 

[B22-2023]

Level plane with the trailer would be a couple of inches above the bottom of the spare tire.

You could also use a different spare tire relo bracket and mount it offset (ie shifted to the passenger side) and that would open up center clearance for a higher hitch mount setting.



Unrelated note - secure that leveler jack handle up parallel, they tend to catch things and go “snap” hanging down like that, especially on steep driveways and trails.

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