[Wavester]

I bought a used Cascade Rapid Rig trailer, sight unseen, pictures only. So I'll be driving out to Idaho and picking it up after running the Salmon.
I'm wondering if someone who owns the same trailer could help with how much of a "step down" do I need for the ball hitch. I'll be using a 2012 Ford F150 FWD to tow the trailer without a lift.
I'm guessing that a 2" "step down" ball hitch might be OK??
Anyone with the rapid Rig Trailer and a 1/2 ton truck??
I already have the tow package hookups and I know it takes a 2" ball, just don't know the exact height.
Thanks for any info

 

[Osseous]

Walmart (surprisingly) carries a decent selection if you find you need to swap it out for more drop. 2" sounds too little to me. Your life will be a lot easier with more drop. Less cranking that lift handle.

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[M3mphis]

Those things sit pretty low. It might be worthwhile to ask the seller to measure the tongue height with the trailer level. Then measure your set up. I don't know how you will want to adjust for sag. Empty those trailers can't have more than 400 pounds of tongue weight, but your loading will have an impact on a half ton.

 

[Osprey]

Have the seller measure it from the ground and tell you, then you'll be right on. I believe I use a 2" drop with my Tahoe so you should be fairly close, you might need a bit more. Don't know if the newer ones have 13 or 15" wheels.

Or yeah, just pick one up at Walmart or HD when you are there, if it looks skewed in the parking lot you can just turn around and return it for a different one. Osseous must be that guy rolling down the highway with his trailer all crooked nose down since he doesn't like to crank ;-). I just want it level. With a swing away jack it's not an issue.

 

[Wavester]

I do have an email out to the original owner and I think a half ton truck can tow a raft all day long and not even know it's back there, my towing max is around 9000lbs. I have a friend who tows the same trailer with her Nissan Pathfinder and she's using a 1" step down. I was hoping someone had the same trailer and a full size truck but I think a Tahoe is pretty close. Thanks for the input!

Have the seller measure it from the ground and tell you, then you'll be right on. I believe I use a 2" drop with my Tahoe so you should be fairly close, you might need a bit more. Don't know if the newer ones have 13 or 15" wheels.

Or yeah, just pick one up at Walmart or HD when you are there, if it looks skewed in the parking lot you can just turn around and return it for a different one. Osseous must be that guy rolling down the highway with his trailer all crooked nose down since he doesn't like to crank ;-). I just want it level. With a swing away jack it's not an issue.

 

[Osseous]

I had mine sky high for a long time- had to put a rock under the jack foot to get it high enough to get it off.....then crank it way down so I could walk on the trailer without it doing a wheelie. Finally figured out that a plus 3" receiver wasn't a good match!

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[M3mphis]

I do have an email out to the original owner and I think a half ton truck can tow a raft all day long and not even know it's back there, my towing max is around 9000lbs. I have a friend who tows the same trailer with her Nissan Pathfinder and she's using a 1" step down. I was hoping someone had the same trailer and a full size truck but I think a Tahoe is pretty close. Thanks for the input!

Yeah, I was referring to your spring height with weight when loaded down with a trip's worth of gear. I wasn't saying anything about whether or not a half ton can tow a raft.

 

[Wavester]

Is tongue weight the same thing as "spring height"? It's been a long time since I towed a raft trailer...knocking back the cobwebs.
Thanks

Yeah, I was referring to your spring height with weight when loaded down with a trip's worth of gear. I wasn't saying anything about whether or not a half ton can tow a raft.

 

[Wavester]

The previous owner got back with me and recommends a 2" step down should work just fine with a 2011+ Ford F150 and this trailer.
Thanks again everyone for the suggestions.

 

[M3mphis]

Is tongue weight the same thing as "spring height"? It's been a long time since I towed a raft trailer...knocking back the cobwebs.
Thanks

No, I just meant that once your springs (on the truck) are compressed with a full load of coolers and dry boxes etc, your pre-measured drop may be a little too much. Once I bought a stinger with 2" and 2 5/16" balls and the height adjustment, I've never looked back. All my other stingers haven't come out of the garage since. They are well worth the money, IMO. They are especially handy when you don't know exactly what to expect or your load may be changing over the course of a trip. Like some others on the thread, I do my best to make sure my trailer is always level, which is more important with tandems anyway.

The previous owner got back with me and recommends a 2" step down should work just fine with a 2011+ Ford F150 and this trailer.
Thanks again everyone for the suggestions.

Awesome. Have fun on the Salmon.

 

[Osseous]

Post pics!

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[briandburns]

Looks like a decent deal for under $60.
Adjustable height ball mount.

MaxxTow Adjustable-Height Ball Mount - 2" Hitch - 10" Drop, 8" Rise - 5,000 lbs MaxxTow Ball Mounts MT70067

 

[Wavester]

Got it and that is certainly something to consider. I have airbags installed however so spring sag shouldn't be an issue.

No, I just meant that once your springs (on the truck) are compressed with a full load of coolers and dry boxes etc, your pre-measured drop may be a little too much. Once I bought a stinger with 2" and 2 5/16" balls and the height adjustment, I've never looked back. All my other stingers haven't come out of the garage since. They are well worth the money, IMO. They are especially handy when you don't know exactly what to expect or your load may be changing over the course of a trip. Like some others on the thread, I do my best to make sure my trailer is always level, which is more important with tandems anyway.



Awesome. Have fun on the Salmon.

 

[mts3212]

https://www.etrailer.com/faq-ballmount.aspx

You need to measure the hitch height on your truck while on level ground and get the seller to measure the bottom of coupler height when the trailer is lever, then you know how much rise or drop you need. Piece of cake.

 

[M3mphis]

Got it and that is certainly something to consider. I have airbags installed however so spring sag shouldn't be an issue.

Nice. I love my air bags. They make you wonder, "how did I ever survive without these?!"