Thread: No 5 Trailer hitch height - help please

You will only be able to lift the tow ball until the coupling touches the underside of your spare unless you extend the tow bar to get more clearance. It is doable but extending the tow bar gooseneck increases the lever operating on the back of your vehicle, with light trailers it should be ok.

Originally Posted by wpalmo

Looks like you have modified the coupling to a hydraulic brake from the original Pintal hitch? Are you carrying heavy loads in the trailer and need hydraulic brakes? I thought the no5 was only rated to 750kg's all up anyway?

If you have a swing away spare wheel carrier can't you just swing the wheel away and hitch the trailer or does the spare fowl the top of the hitch when you swing it back to close? Maybe you can raise the height of the spare mount on the carrier 50mm (I am sure you have probably considered this anyway). Might be the best way to go as increasing the length of the receiver may cause other complications if it is not engineered correctly and you are intending to carry heavy loads.

Good luck.

Regards Warrick.

Thanks Warrick, the PO had modified the trailer to have hydraulic brakes. I like the idea of having them - that extra little bit of help stopping, a little more stability even if I'm not really "needing" them.

The spare wheel is no longer an issue - it's over to one side, its the jerry carrier - I have to open it to hitch up any trailer. Ok well maybe I could do it without but it's a site easier open. I'd prefer not change my $50k defender.... the $1k trailer on the other hand.... Plus I really need more than 50mm. it's more like 150-180mm.