Model Y tow hitch rise limitation

[klzig]

Sorry to rehash this topic but I didn't see any current discussions.

I have an order in for a Model Y with factory tow package, intending to tow a small travel trailer (Alto F1743, 2700 lb GVWR). I was surprised to see this .75" hitch rise limitation which rules out towing any of the Alto trailers (by a margin of several inches in rise) and I imagine almost any other travel trailer. At least if keeping the trailer level is important which it is to me.

From this and Alto forums, youtube videos, and elsewhere it seems the consensus is to ignore this limitation? I'm not sure I'm comfortable with that and am considering canceling my order. Presumably some engineer somewhere had a reason for this limit, does anyone have any insight into why? I'm aware of the theory that it was copy/pasted from the very different Model X hitch design which seems plausible but doesn't offer much comfort given the Model Y manual is still unambiguous on the topic.

TIA for any insight.

 

[BailMY]

also curios, bumping thread.

 

[klzig]

After finding what I hope are better numbers, I may be OK with the Alto F1743. The question still stands for the bigger Altos and I think many other travel trailers.

Alto F1743: 17.5" to top of coupler
Model Y LR: 14" to top of receiver
Hitch ball mount rise: .75"
Hitch ball: 2.75"

14" + .75" + 2.75" = 17.5"

 

[2022S-LR]

After finding what I hope are better numbers, I may be OK with the Alto F1743. The question still stands for the bigger Altos and I think many other travel trailers.

Alto F1743: 17.5" to top of coupler
Model Y LR: 14" to top of receiver
Hitch ball mount rise: .75"
Hitch ball: 2.75"

14" + .75" + 2.75" = 17.5"

I have the same issue with my MS refresh , I added a hitch and plan to tow a 3200 lbs travel trailer . So I found this solid shank riser from Amazon TOPTOW 64121 2-inch Receiver Trailer Hitch Extension Riser with 2-inch Rise/Drop, 2-inch Solid Shank, 10000lbs Capacity, Anti-Rattle Bolt https://a.co/d/aQ1C9rv

 

[evrepair]

If the trailer has a single axle it doesn’t need to be level when towing. Of course it’s more convenient when its level and looks better too.

 

[Watts_Up]

... Anti-Rattle Bolt
https://a.co/d/aQ1C9rv

You have to be carefull, the bolt only prevents the left to right shaking,
but will not prevent the up and down motion, which can be noticeable
with a trailer when passing above a bump.

You can see on this picture the gap inside the raiser and ball mount tube.
There are quite a large gap on the side but also on the top of the inserted ball mount tube.



For a stronger tightening you could use one of the following devices:

Anti Rattle Hitch Tightener



Anti Rattle Hitch Tightener Clamp



If you have enough space, this Trailer Hitch Tightner will prevent any motion:




My second observation is that you need to prevent the Rattle and the Wobble
not only between the Hitch Extension Riser and the Hitch Ball Mount,
but also between the car's Tow Hitch Receiver and the Hitch Extension Riser.

To do so, you can use one of the above devices, but you may aso want to have a locking mechanism,
to prevent someone removing the Extension Riser from the car's Receiver.

Trailer Hitch Lock



However, I would prefer using a combined lock and tightening mechanism,
using a Keyless Press-on Locking Silent Hitch Pin



But the above lock can only be used with a hollow tube, so you need to use a different riser
sucha as the MAHLER GATES 4" Drop/Rise Trailer Hitch Receiver Adapter Extension
but you have to check if this raiser provides enough towing capacity compared to
one with a Solid Shank. The only information provided is:
"Towing hitch extension with a tongue weight of 500 pounds."

 

[2022S-LR]

You have to be carefull, the bolt only prevents the left to right shaking,
but will not prevent the up and down motion, which can be noticeable
with a trailer when passing above a bump.

You can see on this picture the gap inside the raiser and ball mount tube.
There are quite a large gap on the side but also on the top of the inserted ball mount tube.

View attachment 910718

For a stronger tightening you could use one of the following devices:

Anti Rattle Hitch Tightener

View attachment 910703

Anti Rattle Hitch Tightener Clamp

View attachment 910704

If you have enough space, this Trailer Hitch Tightner will prevent any motion:

View attachment 910705 View attachment 910706


My second observation is that you need to prevent the Rattle and the Wobble
not only between the Hitch Extension Riser and the Hitch Ball Mount,
but also between the car's Tow Hitch Receiver and the Hitch Extension Riser.

To do so, you can use one of the above devices, but you may aso want to have a locking mechanism,
to prevent someone removing the Extension Riser from the car's Receiver.

Trailer Hitch Lock

View attachment 910710

However, I would prefer using a combined lock and tightening mechanism,
using a Keyless Press-on Locking Silent Hitch Pin

View attachment 910713 View attachment 910714

But the above lock can only be used with a hollow tube, so you need to use a different riser
sucha as the MAHLER GATES 4" Drop/Rise Trailer Hitch Receiver Adapter Extension
but you have to check if this raiser provides enough towing capacity compared to
one with a Solid Shank. The only information provided is:
"Towing hitch extension with a tongue weight of 500 pounds."

View attachment 910716

Thanks for the great recommendations I will look into the anti rattle devices. I will not trust any hollow tube towing 3200 lbs rv trailer though so will pass on the last items

 

[2022S-LR]

Thanks for the great recommendations I will look into the anti rattle devices. I will not trust any hollow tube towing 3200 lbs rv trailer though so will pass on the last items

So after some research of quality drop or rise hitch receivers , the best that I could find for my situation , pulling 3200 lbs travel trailer was this Blue OX 7 inch adjustable drop / rise receiver. It has a solid shank and the L shape is cast iron not welded together rated for 10,000 lbs . Good luck anyone else needing height adjustment.

 

[VandalSibs]

You have to be carefull, the bolt only prevents the left to right shaking,
but will not prevent the up and down motion, which can be noticeable
with a trailer when passing above a bump.

You can see on this picture the gap inside the raiser and ball mount tube.
There are quite a large gap on the side but also on the top of the inserted ball mount tube.

View attachment 910718

For a stronger tightening you could use one of the following devices:

Anti Rattle Hitch Tightener

View attachment 910703

Anti Rattle Hitch Tightener Clamp

View attachment 910704

If you have enough space, this Trailer Hitch Tightner will prevent any motion:

View attachment 910705 View attachment 910706


My second observation is that you need to prevent the Rattle and the Wobble
not only between the Hitch Extension Riser and the Hitch Ball Mount,
but also between the car's Tow Hitch Receiver and the Hitch Extension Riser.

To do so, you can use one of the above devices, but you may aso want to have a locking mechanism,
to prevent someone removing the Extension Riser from the car's Receiver.

Trailer Hitch Lock

View attachment 910710

However, I would prefer using a combined lock and tightening mechanism,
using a Keyless Press-on Locking Silent Hitch Pin

View attachment 910713 View attachment 910714

But the above lock can only be used with a hollow tube, so you need to use a different riser
sucha as the MAHLER GATES 4" Drop/Rise Trailer Hitch Receiver Adapter Extension
but you have to check if this raiser provides enough towing capacity compared to
one with a Solid Shank. The only information provided is:
"Towing hitch extension with a tongue weight of 500 pounds."

View attachment 910716

Sorry to being this back up, but almost all of those anti-rattle clamps run into one problem on a Model Y.... The plastic surrounding the hitch receiver, and the depth of the receiver inside the car.

I had bount a clamp on one without really thinking about the plastic, and I'm now trying to find a solution. If anyone has one, let me know!