Towing... Level or not

[genre]

Hi eveyone,
I have a question. I have upgraded my tt to a Viking 2170st. I have just upgraded my T.V.. I now have a 2007 Saturn Outlook. The only thing I have left is to purchase a reciever bar.
Now how do I calculate the rise or drop from my TV to the trailer's tongue.
Here is what I think.  I would have to back up my tv to the trailer, use the tongue jack and set the trailer level (maybe a slight dip towards the tongue end) and then find the difference between the coupler and where the ball sits on the reciever bar.
Does this sound right?
I have also purchased a Tekonsha Prodigy Brake Controller. I had  a Accurtrac POD and found it to be very "grabby" in the city. I was always adjusting it. After all the praise for the Prodigy you folks have, I figured it is a sure thing. Not once have I been let down from the IMH opinions this forum offers up....
Thanks

[mike4947]

The procedure recommended by Reese is to measure from the top of the receiver opening on the TV to the ground. With the trailer level measure from the top inside of the coupler where the ball sits to the ground. Measure the height of the ball from top to where it mounts on the draw bar.

Subtract the ball height from the coupler height and then subtract the result from the receiver measurement. A positive number is a drop, a negative number is a rise.
 
One thing I add when NOT using weight distribution is to put the trailer tongue on the receiver or bumper to simulate the drop/sag/droop when the trailer is hooked up before getting the receiver measurement.
I've had a collection of draw bars I've bought because of the drop/droop wasn't figured in when doing the calculation.
Again this step is only necessary when not using a WD hitch.

[sacrawf]

Contratulations on the new tow vehicle!  You'll soon wonder how you ever did without the Prodigy brake controller.

I used a tape measure and a level surface (concrete garage floor) to measure the height of the top of the receiver bar location on the TV and the top of the interior of the ball hitch on the trailer when adjusted level. Then, just buy a drop, raise, or zero drop ball hitch as needed by taking a tape measure to the receiver bar merchant.  The actual height of the ball from the top of the receiver bar varies slightly between manufacturers and models. You will naturally have some slight compression of the loaded tow vehicle suspension, so by measuring level, it should be just right after hitched and bearing the weight of the tongue.

When changing tow vehicles myself recently, I measured and found needed a zero drop receiver hitch...one of the most difficult to find without buying the cumbersome three-size welded on ball unit.  Three different local farm stores, Auto Zone, NAPA, Advance Auto Parts, Lowes, and even the new Camping World location in Indy couldn't find one. Finally I found one, made by "Brinks" at, of all places, Wal-Mart!

I considered the adjustable ball hitch that is available many places, as many allow almost infinate adjustment, but it can usually be adjusted for a minimum drop or raise, but not for a zero or near zero drop if that is what you need.  Also, the extra adjusting mechanism in my case would stick up high enough to cause a nice dent in the tailgate when lowered if I wasn't extremely careful, and might be a restriction to opening your rear hatch on the Saturn when the hitch is installed.

Hi eveyone,
I have a question. I have upgraded my tt to a Viking 2170st. I have just upgraded my T.V.. I now have a 2007 Saturn Outlook. The only thing I have left is to purchase a reciever bar.
Now how do I calculate the rise or drop from my TV to the trailer's tongue.
Here is what I think.  I would have to back up my tv to the trailer, use the tongue jack and set the trailer level (maybe a slight dip towards the tongue end) and then find the difference between the coupler and where the ball sits on the reciever bar.
Does this sound right?
I have also purchased a Tekonsha Prodigy Brake Controller. I had  a Accurtrac POD and found it to be very "grabby" in the city. I was always adjusting it. After all the praise for the Prodigy you folks have, I figured it is a sure thing. Not once have I been let down from the IMH opinions this forum offers up....
Thanks

[AustinBoston]

Not once have I been let down from the IMH opinions this forum offers up....

If you want to keep that up, then never take just one poster's advice, including mine (which often leave out the humble part  :p ).

Having said that, I know you'll be pleased with your Prodigy.

Austin