U-Haul trailer hitch self-install?

[ray1970]

I have a drop down ramp on my trailer like yours, Irving. If it wasn't for that thing I couldn't even see my trailer until it peeks out one side or the other.

[ray1970]

And my trailer is smaller like yours and I think I have 15" wheels/tires on it.

[CS1983]

I got my transmission cooler and light wiring installed. Getting much better at getting the trailer to go where I want. It's a nice feeling when it ends up where you plan.

Did you get the wiring from etrailer, and if so, did you follow their video how-to or are you just good like that?

[Irving]

I have a drop down ramp on my trailer like yours, Irving. If it wasn't for that thing I couldn't even see my trailer until it peeks out one side or the other.

A lot of the reason I purchased my trailer was because of that ramp. I figured if I'm going to be new at trailers, might as well get all the advantages that I can. I noticed today that the axle on my trailer is bent, and I can see a noticeable negative camber on the tires, but it seems to pull fine. Bummer.

Did you get the wiring from etrailer, and if so, did you follow their video how-to or are you just good like that?

Yes, yes, and yes. The T-connector style is pretty much fool proof to use. You can't really screw it up. The most difficult part is figuring out where all the screws are to take your tail lights off, and the best way to run all the wires.

[CS1983]

Still haven't done the wiring. I did get the ultimate mx hauler and put it together and did a test run with the tw200 strapped on. Much less lowering of the rear end than I'd feared. A little side sway, but not awful. Won't be taking any corners at 70mph or anything. Got my OHV sticker for the bike the other day, so I'll be doing more 2-wheel scouting of area 50 in the coming weeks, and then using the bike for reducing amount of walking necessary to get higher in elevation.

[Jeff350]

A lot of the reason I purchased my trailer was because of that ramp. I figured if I'm going to be new at trailers, might as well get all the advantages that I can. I noticed today that the axle on my trailer is bent, and I can see a noticeable negative camber on the tires, but it seems to pull fine. Bummer.

I bought my first trailer a few months back and thought the same thing about the axle being bent. Doing a little research, it looks like that trailer axles are designed to have some camber when unloaded. Does the bend in the axle face up or down?

[Irving]

Faces up, and I could see that now that you mention it.
I've been putting off getting a hitch on my van. I could of used one today as I buried it up to the axles (and the rest of the under carriage) in a cow pasture and had to be pulled out by a front end loader. Fun times with zero tow points.

[brutal]

Trailer axles are preloaded with a visible upward bow.

Ones that is not bowed upward unloaded could be a problem and have been severely overloaded. Then again, too heavy an axle for an always light load is just as bad.

[Irving]

On one hand I'm relieved to learn that the axle probably isn't bent. On the other hand, I feel just as dumb for not realizing that as I did when I thought I bought a damaged trailer.

Same thing with my trailer hitch. It has a bend in it, but I couldn't find any pictures on line. I drove all the way back across town to Uhaul only to have the guy bring up a picture in two seconds to show me that I'm dumb.

[CS1983]

I prefer being humiliated to finding out I bought a broken piece of junk.

Had a similar thing happen with the mx hauler. I could fit the bolt for the left peg down through the peg. The right one wasn't ever going to line up. Friend looked at it for a few seconds and said, "Why don't you just put in the bolt and use its hook to catch the peg," just like it was designed to do.

I feel like I was smarter before I pursued education.