Drop Hitch
Thread Starter
|
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 531
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, Georgia
Drop Hitch
Hello,
I was in the market for a hitch and tow ball, and I started to wonder how much of a drop I need to get...is there any easy way to tell? I've seen 2 - 5 1/4 inch drops in the auto stores, so just wondering....I can link to a picture of the truck if that would help out....2006 F250 Lariat
Cheers!
I was in the market for a hitch and tow ball, and I started to wonder how much of a drop I need to get...is there any easy way to tell? I've seen 2 - 5 1/4 inch drops in the auto stores, so just wondering....I can link to a picture of the truck if that would help out....2006 F250 Lariat
Cheers!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 991
Likes: 6
From: Newberry Springs, CA
Level the trailer, then measure from the ground to the top of the ball coupler. Then, again on a level surface, measure from the ground to the center of the receiver. The difference is your drop (within a half inch or so).
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 939
Likes: 1
From: Central Kansas
It's going to depend on the height of your truck and trailer(s). On my stock 2005 (w/ 265/70/17 tires and overload springs) a 2 1/2" drop is about right for most of my trailers, a 3" might be better but I couldn't find one when i was looking. 4" was too low. Your milage may vary.
The correct way is to measure like mentioned above, but you might end up needing a different drop for each trailer. I don't haul anything very heavy off the drop so I wasn't too concerned if mine aren't exactly level, but they're not far off either using the 2 1/2" drop.
The correct way is to measure like mentioned above, but you might end up needing a different drop for each trailer. I don't haul anything very heavy off the drop so I wasn't too concerned if mine aren't exactly level, but they're not far off either using the 2 1/2" drop.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 991
Likes: 6
From: Newberry Springs, CA
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 382
Likes: 0
From: Central FL
would make more sense to get an adjustable drop receiver and a 3 ball setup if you tow a lot of different trailers?
Trending Topics
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,000
Likes: 4
From: Nowthen, MN
Maybe, but for the price of one of those you can buy several regular hitch inserts.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 675
Likes: 0
From: Beautiful BC
Its a good idea long as you can lock it. Hitches seem to go missing if not locked. For me I only needed the 2 so I bought seperate ones, but the adjustable ones are nice!
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
Likes: 40
From: Pa
Depending on how the load weight I even change drops for the same trailer to correct for rear end sag.
Maybe, but for the price of one of those you can buy several regular hitch inserts.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 382
Likes: 0
From: Central FL
Ever since i had a 2.5 drop hitch stolen in a parking lot i keep the hitch locked in the truck unless its hooked to a trailer. As for the expense of the adjustable drops you get what you pay for i've seen them as low as 50 bucks and as expensive as 200
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
From: Lake Greenwood, SC
The "standard" is 17 inches from the ground to the top of the ball. That being said I have two trailers that require a 15" ground to top of ball height and one that needs 18". Whatever your trailer requires I would add 1" to allow for the sag you'll get from adding 300-500lbs of tongue weight.
Thread Starter
|
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 531
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, Georgia
The "standard" is 17 inches from the ground to the top of the ball. That being said I have two trailers that require a 15" ground to top of ball height and one that needs 18". Whatever your trailer requires I would add 1" to allow for the sag you'll get from adding 300-500lbs of tongue weight.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,112
Likes: 0
From: South Shore, MA
Same here, I have two different inserts. One is about 5-1/4 or so. But the one I use the most is an 8" drop with a 2-5/16 ball. I pull a car/machine trailer that's fairly low to the ground (for easier loading) - so the 8" is perfect with my stock suspension and 285/75/16's.
I've been looking at the adjustable set-ups too, but I think I'd rather put the money towards a pintle hook instead. I hate borrowing stuff like that.
I've been looking at the adjustable set-ups too, but I think I'd rather put the money towards a pintle hook instead. I hate borrowing stuff like that.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
From: Lake Greenwood, SC
Depending on what you will be towing, make sure to look at the rated capacity of the drop hitch and the ball itself. I think the Class III hitches run up to about 5,000 - 6,000 GTW and are usually hollow. For a few dollars more you can get a Class IV or V hitch that is solid forged with GTWs from 6k on up over 10k. Match the right ball and you should never have to worry about the load. I found Northern Tool and Tractor Supply to both have a fairly decent bunch to choose from. I think I just spent about $60 for a 2 1/2" drop Class IV with a 2" ball, both rated at 7,500lbs to pull a new boat.