How to determine what ball mount to use?

[baylake]

I am buying a used 19ft bowrider that will come with a trailer and I am prepare my vehicle for towing. I had the hitch installed and looking into ball mount. My hitch is Class III so will take 2" mount. When looking at etrailer.com, I see
Ball Mount 2-3/4" Rise or 4" Drop, 6,000 lbs link
or Ball Mount 3/4" Rise or 2" Drop, 6,000 lbs link and look like this is the more popular.

So, how to choose the right one? or just trial and error? Is it depending on the height of the hitch? If so then what the the right or average height for the trailer.

Thank you.

Safe Boating

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: How to determine what ball mount to use?

The object is to have the trailer riding approximately level. So, you choose the mount that will position the ball either up or dropped so the trailer is about level when coupled to the ball.

Many pick-up trucks are high and need dropped balls. Cars and some SUVs are lower and need raised balls. My Chevy S10 is rather low and I chose a mount that raised the ball about 2 inches.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: How to determine what ball mount to use?

pretty simple... use your trailer jack and get the trailer level, measure from the center of where the ball would be to the ground. Step 2 is measure from the center of the receiver on your tow vehicle and add 2 inches. Now just add/subtract them and buy accordingly.

(the reason for the +2 inches is to account for the shank/ball itself. A 2 inch drop hitch will put the ball roughly equal with the center of the receiver. A zero drop hitch will have the ball about 2 inches above the receiver)

 

[204 Escape]

Re: How to determine what ball mount to use?

+1 ^^^^

 

[cannonman]

Re: How to determine what ball mount to use?

If I remember right, somewhere around 19" to the bottom of the ball is a good rule of thumb.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: How to determine what ball mount to use?

pretty simple... use your trailer jack and get the trailer level, measure from the center of where the ball would be to the ground. Step 2 is measure from the center of the receiver on your tow vehicle and add 2 inches. Now just add/subtract them and buy accordingly.

(the reason for the +2 inches is to account for the shank/ball itself. A 2 inch drop hitch will put the ball roughly equal with the center of the receiver. A zero drop hitch will have the ball about 2 inches above the receiver)

Plus you will want to account for how much the tounge weight is going to drop the back of your tow vehicle. That can make a huge difference. My trailers are all different heights, so I just use an adjustable ball mount - which also handles both my 2" and 2 5/16" trailers. http://www.amazon.com/Andersen-Manufacturing-3410-Aluminum-Rapid/dp/B002XLBMZQ
(Yeah, they are expensive but I've been using it for almost 10 years)

 

[Silvertip]

Re: How to determine what ball mount to use?

Level the trailer and measure coupler height from the ground. Measure the receiver opening on the tow vehicle. Select the rise or drop that provides the coupler height you measured. Add and inch or two for sag due to the tongue weight. A tad high or tad low on coupler height is not an issue.

 

[woosterken]

Re: How to determine what ball mount to use?

here you go...............

woosterken

 

[baylake]

Re: How to determine what ball mount to use?

Thank you all for the information.

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: How to determine what ball mount to use?

You need the right tongue weight at level.
Maybe I missed something, What towing vehicle?

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: How to determine what ball mount to use?

You need to measure the center of the front wheel well, without the trailer on.
then measure again, with trailer on. if that measurse increases, your trailer wieght is to high. Or you have the wrong drop on the reciever. or To much tongue weight.
What ever