F250/Imagine 2800BH hitch rise height

[JimB33]

Hello everyone,

Looking for input from folks with a combination similar to a my 2011 F250 + 2022 Imagine 2800BH combination to try to determine the size (rise) of the receiver insert I need.

Background

I've been towing various truck/trailer combinations for 30+ years, ranging from a 12' utility trailer with an S-10, open car trailers with a F-350 dually + truck camper, etc. In all cases, I've used the same late 80's era Reese weight distributing hitch with spring bars having chains on the rear snap-up end + the frictional sway control that mounts to its own 1" balls on the hitch and frame.

With my current combination (2011 F-250 4x4 Crew Cab short box, stock tire size and ride height) + 2022 Imagine 2800BH, I'm not able to get the trailer level with this hitch, primarily because this trailer sits much higher than any of my previous trailers and I'm not able to get the high enough with my current 4: drop insert (flipped to the rise position).

I've come up with the following measurements for my vehicles:

1. For the truck, distance from the ground to the top inside face of the receiver opening is 21 inches
2. For the trailer, distance from ground to bottom of coupler is 28 7/8 inches.

So, the bottom of the trailer coupler is 8 inches further off the ground than the top of the receiver opening. Since the rise measurement of an insert is 2 to 2.5" less than the drop measurement, this means that I need either an 8 or 10" drop insert.

Questions

For anyone with a similar combination (i.e. 2011-2014 F-250 4x4 + 2019-2022 Imagine trailer (not necessarily a 2800BH)):

1. Are my measurements for receiver height and coupler similar to yours?
2. What size (drop or rise) insert are you using? Does an (inverted) 8 or 10 inch drop insert match what you are using?
3. Are you able to open the tailgate with your hitch installed? Does the hitch rise cause the coupler to hit the tailgate?

I'm asking all of this because I don't recall ever seeing such a large drop/rise insert being used by anyone with a stock ride height truck. These always seemed to be relegated to the large drops needed on a lifted truck.

Since just a new insert is in the $100-150 price range, I'm looking to update the whole hitch setup. My current front-runner is the new WeighSafe True-Tow Middleweight with 12,000 lb bars (https://www.weigh-safe.com/product/t...-middleweight/). Does anyone have any experience with this unit yet?


​​​​​​​Thanks for your feedback!

[morphrider]

The trailer as is sits 8” higher than your truck receiver lip? Is the truck lowered?

[JimB33]

The trailer as is sits 8” higher than your truck receiver lip? Is the truck lowered?

No, the truck is not lowered. Everything is stock - tire size, suspension, etc. Unloaded, the truck sits level - no sagging rear, broken springs, etc.

[morphrider]

I was curious about it because as I was thinking on mine, I had to get a receiver like you posted for mine, but as a drop. Even with my Crossroads. Will be following this one as it progresses. That unit you linked is different but pricey. I run the Reese SC, 1400 lb bars. These 2800bh units weigh much more on the TW than what is in the brochure.