I am wanting to get a 5 x 10 or a 5 x 12 utility trailer to haul around behind my toyota, it has a 3 inch lift, and 33's and even a 6" drop puts the hitch up pretty high, and would make it tow at a 45 degree angle and all. Do any of you tow with lifted rigs, and if so, what did you do buy a longer drop hitch, I have heard not to do this as it puts more pressure on the bumper. Or do you modifty the trailer tonque somehow to step it up higher???

Just put 31"s on the trailer!:flipoff2:

you need to build a custom drop hitch, but you're correct about the extra leverage on the reciever, so if the current set up wont work you need to add a little beef.
ericfilar@fatcity

I have actually lifted a few trailers for guys at work. A 3" lift with a torsion axle is pretty easy. Just gotta weld in a 3" X 2" X 1/4" block between the axle hanger and the frame. For a leaf spring axle, just put what you know about lifting your truck into your trailer. Stay away from blocks, maybe swap in another set of springs, cut/move the fender... You get the idea.

I pull with a 94 GMC with a 6" lift and 35" tires. Built a drop hitch and put a massive gusset on it. Seems to work fine I havent lost a trailer yet.

Originally posted by 81hilux
I have heard not to do this as it puts more pressure on the bumper.


you're not serious about towing with the bumper are you? I hope we'e not talking about a factory bumper....

A good frame mounted hitch is only about $120 - $150 installed...


:usa:

lift the trailer. We did a 6" lift on my dads tent trailer with a combination of SOA , longer shackles and additional a leaf. This is not counting the height from going to the largest tire we couild fit. He tows the shit out of that thing, from Ca. to Montana every year and 2-3 trips to Oregon. Tows great and the lift allows him to get into places that would be otherwise impossible.

thanks for the ideas, I had not thought of lifting the trailer, however, I don't want it too high, as I might be towing around mowers, and dirtbikes etc. Plus, I think I'd rather have the kind w the swing down tailgate instead of a tilt trailer. I can see lifting it two or three inches though. This is not really a project for camping, or offroading etc, but mainly for around the house crap. And no, I would not tow anything heavy w/ the POS stock bumper. It's got a 2500 rated smittybuilt rear bumper which seems pretty beefy. It might not be an issue (drophitch) since the bumper is pretty stout.

Originally posted by 81hilux
It's got a 2500 rated smittybuilt rear bumper which seems pretty beefy. It might not be an issue (drophitch) since the bumper is pretty stout.

I have the same bumper on the back of my 83 SR5. I had a gussetted 6 inch drop ball.
I towed a u-haul trailer back from college with it.
After I got to Mom's house I was unhooking the chains and happened to look at the bumper mount brackets. One had a crack 3/4 of the way through it. One more big bump and life would have gotten real interesting.
Moral of the Story: GET A FRAME MOUNT HITCH!!!
Then with a combo of a dropped receiver and a trailer lift you can keep the tongue level.
HTH