Hitch ball hight ... is there a standard ?

pecheux

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Jun 9, 2006
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Good day,

I wonder if there is a standard hight (from ground) of the ball mounted on a hitch ? Or is it a question of vehicule hight vs trailer type. Tx
 

Gary H NC

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Re: Hitch ball hight ... is there a standard ?

You need to use the correct size drop for the trailer to ride level.
 

Knightgang

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Re: Hitch ball hight ... is there a standard ?

Hitch ball height can vary by trailer. The key is for the trailer to ride level, just as Gary stated...
 

cooter2506

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Re: Hitch ball hight ... is there a standard ?

I tow 6 different trailers and have 5 different drops for it to fit my truck. They make my trailers ride level. My wife is tired of seeing all my balls lying around the garage!!!!!!!!
 

Fun Times

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Re: Hitch ball hight ... is there a standard ?

Good day,

I wonder if there is a standard hight (from ground) of the ball mounted on a hitch ? Or is it a question of vehicule hight vs trailer type. Tx
The most important thing is to get the trailer to ride level, But the average hight normaly seems to come in at around 18 to almost 19 inches sometimes from the ground to the top of the ball not hooked up to the trailer, Then try to level it out from there if needed.:)
 

woosterken

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Re: Hitch ball hight ... is there a standard ?

pecheux,

like the others said you want the trailer level, here is the chart that came with my hitch
to figure it out...........

Scan10003.jpg



woosterken
 

J JACKSON

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Re: Hitch ball hight ... is there a standard ?

My wife is tired of seeing all my balls lying around the garage!!!!!!!!
at least there not in her purse
 

kenmyfam

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Re: Hitch ball hight ... is there a standard ?

Trailer should ride level. Bottom line. One reason it is difficult to tow directly off the bumper in most cases.
 

floatingwoody2006

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Feb 2, 2006
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Re: Hitch ball hight ... is there a standard ?

I have an adjustable type that goes up or down with a wrench, and ball's are a quickchange with the spin of a flat screw. Saves Much aggrevation..
 

pecheux

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Re: Hitch ball hight ... is there a standard ?

Thank you guys ... all of your explanations say it all. Woodsterken: thank you for the picture.
 

Jeep Man

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Re: Hitch ball hight ... is there a standard ?

I tow 6 different trailers and have 5 different drops for it to fit my truck. They make my trailers ride level. My wife is tired of seeing all my balls lying around the garage!!!!!!!!

Really tempting.......But I am not going there.
 

reelfishin

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Mar 19, 2007
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Re: Hitch ball hight ... is there a standard ?

While most trailers do vary, I'd have to say the average tow height of most is about 18".
Boat trailers often vary by tire size though, the key is often to get the boat as low as possible, this means that the tongue is often pretty low.

I have 12 boat trailers, all but one tows at 18" give or take a 1/2" or so. The same for most of my utility trailers.
 

smclear

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Re: Hitch ball hight ... is there a standard ?

I was always under the impression that the height should be at a point where you will achieve approx. 10% of the gross weight of trailer load on the ball. This is critical in how the trailer will "ride" behind your vehicle. Too much weight on the ball is not good but too little can be downright dangerous.
 

Knightgang

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Re: Hitch ball hight ... is there a standard ?

I was always under the impression that the height should be at a point where you will achieve approx. 10% of the gross weight of trailer load on the ball. This is critical in how the trailer will "ride" behind your vehicle. Too much weight on the ball is not good but too little can be downright dangerous.

Tounge weight and tow ball height are two completely seperate things...
 

pecheux

Lieutenant Junior Grade
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Jun 9, 2006
Messages
1,200
Re: Hitch ball hight ... is there a standard ?

pecheux,

like the others said you want the trailer level, here is the chart that came with my hitch
to figure it out...........

Scan10003.jpg



woosterken

My original setup was as per the right hand side pic. The tongue was low but the boat was straight. Then on a rainy day I realise water would not empty via the rear outlet so I swithed to the left hand side setup ... Now the boat noses up but the trailer is leaning back slightly ... enough for the water to exit. I think I may need a straight hitch bar to make everthing even. Tx
 

jeeperman

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Aug 2, 2001
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Re: Hitch ball hight ... is there a standard ?

A new drawbar is a cheap fix.
And really when trailer is not hitched you store it bow up for good draining.
 

pecheux

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Jun 9, 2006
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Re: Hitch ball hight ... is there a standard ?

A new drawbar is a cheap fix.
And really when trailer is not hitched you store it bow up for good draining.

This small boat kit lives an easy cat like life ... sleeps in the garage ... LOL
 
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