Lunette and Pintle questions

[bigndn]

Here's the deal:

I just bought a M105A2 with a lunette ring on it. My truck's stance makes the trailer tip forward heavily, I estimate the hitch needs to be raised 6". This can be done by two different methods (that come to mind):

Option 1) lower the lunette ring on the trailer by heating and rebending the current setup OR making/purchasing a new one if possible.

Option 2) raising the pintle hitch at the receiver by cutting and rewelding.

I don't really want to go with Option 2 because I bought a combination pintle (w/ 2 5/16" ball for my 24' flatbed).

Any advice for Option 1???? Any other options? TIA!

 

[dawsonc61]

Here's the deal:

I just bought a M105A2 with a lunette ring on it. My truck's stance makes the trailer tip forward heavily, I estimate the hitch needs to be raised 6". This can be done by two different methods (that come to mind):

Option 1) lower the lunette ring on the trailer by heating and rebending the current setup OR making/purchasing a new one if possible.

Option 2) raising the pintle hitch at the receiver by cutting and rewelding.

I don't really want to go with Option 2 because I bought a combination pintle (w/ 2 5/16" ball for my 24' flatbed).

Any advice for Option 1???? Any other options? TIA!

Doesn't your lunette swivel 360*? If so, I don't think option 1 would work (I'm basing this on the configuration of my M416 lunette which twists completely around, Pics of your trailer might help).

Also, does your pintle hitch have a plate it mounts to, or is it one piece? You could bolt the pintle combo to the holes towards the top of the plate if it's seperate, just flip the reciever plate up:

That might give you a couple more inches on the truck side.

Post pics if you can.

Good Luck

D

 

[bigndn]

Doesn't your lunette swivel 360*? If so, I don't think option 1 would work (I'm basing this on the configuration of my M416 lunette which twists completely around, Pics of your trailer might help).

Also, does your pintle hitch have a plate it mounts to, or is it one piece? You could bolt the pintle combo to the holes towards the top of the plate if it's seperate, just flip the reciever plate up:

That might give you a couple more inches on the truck side.

Post pics if you can.

Good Luck

D

Yes, you're correct that the lunette swivels completely 360 degrees. However, since it's already dropped 3-4", why not bend it more and still maintain that functionality if possible?

My pintle is one solid piece, like the one below. The one you pictured wasn't an option, but I'd buy one. I found them online, thanks for the idea!!!!

 

[dawsonc61]

Yes, you're correct that the lunette swivels completely 360 degrees. However, since it's already dropped 3-4", why not bend it more and still maintain that functionality if possible?

My pintle is one solid piece, like the one below. The one you pictured wasn't an option, but I'd buy one. I found them online, thanks for the idea!!!!

I dont think I understand what you mean when you say you want to bend it. Try to imagine your hand as the lunette, as you turn your arm, your hand rotates in the same direction. Now if you can imagine your arm having a bend in, as you turn your arm, your hand would rotate in a orbit abound the point of the bend.

If done to the lunette I think it will rotate to one side and put all the pressure of the trailer on one side of the pintle and might result in failure be twisting out of the pintles "clamp"

Does that make sense?

 

[SouthBostonFJ40]

Is this what you mean by bent? I know that my trailer has two different positions for the lunette. Does yours?

 

[bigndn]

Is this what you mean by bent? I know that my trailer has two different positions for the lunette. Does yours?

I can't view photobucket at work. That being said, I mean the lunette does not stick straight out of the clamp. I know there's a top position that's 180 from the bottom position and they're approximately 6" difference IIRC. I'll look closer when I get home. Thanks!

 

[dawsonc61]

SouthBostonFJ - that will only make the ass end of his trailer stick up further.

If you look at that set up and imagine it flipped (where the lunette is below the trailer tongue), you can see how the weight of the trailer would make it swivel to one side or the other.

 

[HJ-45CrewCab]

Here's the deal:

My truck's stance makes the trailer tip forward heavily, I estimate the hitch needs to be raised 6". Any other options? TIA!

We dont have any pics of your setup, but I think the 40" tires make your trailer tip forward heavily.
Option 3: change the axle and tires.

Here is mine:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/trailer-tech/212556-m105-utility-trailer.html

I use the pintle on the crossmember for my Landcruiser and use the exact same setup on post #2 for my FJ Cruiser. It is my opinion that it will take more than 6" to get the trailer leveled out with the original axle/wheels.

 

[Jeepin Jason]

I have a regular military style pintle hitch and a plate like the one you posted above. I like the plate because I can just take the pintle off and adjust it up or down whenever I am using another tow vehicle to keep the trailer level. I have never had a problem with the hitch binding off road, but it does make a bit of noise when you stop and go as there is always a bit of play there. Here is a picture of my set up.

 

[SouthBostonFJ40]

SouthBostonFJ - that will only make the ass end of his trailer stick up further.

No it wouldn't. I am talking about moving the lunette to the lower position on the tongue of the trailer (if the M105 has one). The lunette itself would still look just like it does in the picture above and it would lower the rear of the trailer.

 

[dawsonc61]

I thought he already had it in the lower position

 

[SouthBostonFJ40]

I thought he already had it in the lower position

You know what...I read through it and he doesn't say. So who knows.

 

[bigndn]

I thought he already had it in the lower position

You know what...I read through it and he doesn't say. So who knows.

Sorry. It is in the down position.

 

[mastrb]

Lowering lunette

The lunette has a square shank. remove the cotter pin from behind the nut then back the nut off a bit passed flush to protect the threads. Then I placed a wood block behind the nut to take up space and used a splitting wedge and hammer to pop lunette loose. ( helps to spray with some type of oil a couple days earlier. and a little heat applied wont hurt either.) Most are rusted in good, Once you get it loose remove nut flip square shank 180 degrees and reinstall with lunette sloping down.

 

[bigndn]

The lunette has a square shank. remove the cotter pin from behind the nut then back the nut off a bit passed flush to protect the threads. Then I placed a wood block behind the nut to take up space and used a splitting wedge and hammer to pop lunette loose. ( helps to spray with some type of oil a couple days earlier. and a little heat applied wont hurt either.) Most are rusted in good, Once you get it loose remove nut flip square shank 180 degrees and reinstall with lunette sloping down.

It's already sloping down, but thanks.

 

[Brian in Oregon]

I have a similar setup to what Dawson posted, only mine is the next size up, allowing me to put two hitches on it. I have trailers of different height. This eliminates having to change pintle height. I bought all of these parts from Northern Tool.

Buyers Pintle Receiver Adapter by Hitchmaster, Model# 10032 | Hitch Adapters | Northern Tool + Equipment