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Hey all,
Headed out to Michigan to pick up a Legend Aluminum Flat Top V Enclosed Cargo 7x21. I have no idea how high the tongue rides on this thing, but it’s on 15 inch wheels.
I haven’t replaced my B&W Tow and Stow ( for sale if you need one) from my F150 but it’s the 3 inch drop 2 inch shank and I’m guessing that won’t fly.
2 questions:
1. What length drop do y’all guess? My F250 is a 3 inch Receiver truck measuring approx 19.5 inches from ground to bottom of receiver.
2. What brand ball mounts do you guys like? Seems the 2.5 inch shanks offer a lot more options at a lower price point, and I don’t foresee ever pulling close to the limit on the bumper pull.....but I didn’t foresee buying another Super Duty either, sooo.
I have a F-250 stock with 18" wheels (275/70-18) and primarily pull a 6x12 enclosed trailer with 15" wheels (205/75-15). I have a 2.5" reduction sleeve to 2" and a ball mount that has a 8" drop.
Unfortunately, at the time I got the truck, I needed something quick to pull my trailer to the Tail of the Dragon. Shortly after that I pulled a 30" travel trailer. Both were level.
Now that I have time to work focus on the truck over the winter, I'm going to scrap the reduction sleeve and get a Bulletproof or Weighsafe that has ball and pintle provisions and a 2.5" shank.
I'd suggest going with a 3" shank and forget about the reduction sleeve; they rattle due to slop and will elongate the pin hole.
I have a F-250 stock with 18" wheels (275/70-18) and primarily pull a 6x12 enclosed trailer with 15" wheels (205/75-15). I have a 2.5" reduction sleeve to 2" and a ball mount that has a 8" drop.
Unfortunately, at the time I got the truck, I needed something quick to pull my trailer to the Tail of the Dragon. Shortly after that I pulled a 30" travel trailer. Both were level.
Now that I have time to work focus on the truck over the winter, I'm going to scrap the reduction sleeve and get a Bulletproof or Weighsafe that has ball and pintle provisions and a 2.5" shank.
I'd suggest going with a 3" shank and forget about the reduction sleeve; they rattle due to slop and will elongate the pin hole.
Thanks, no problem on the 8 inch drop with ground clearance? I did read somewhere they “lowered” the 20s.
Did you ask what the height of the tongue is on the trailer? I just picked up a used weighsafe 8" drop that is pretty nice, after installing it I think I would go 10" if I was buying new. I won't be hauling heavy either so the 12.5k rating on this hitch will be fine.
10” is too much. I hit mine routinely and have to take it off when not pulling.
I am going to see if I can flip it upside down and adjust my trailer and get another hitch for my F150 to match the raised trailer tounge. Or chop an inch or 2 off.
I would do a 3 inch 6 or 8 inch drop that matches your hitch which is 20k I believe (although they tag some 3 inch set ups higher). I would also find one that flips around so you can back up close to stuff.
My 10 inch fastway hitch is 2.5” and rated to 20,000/2,000. Got it incase I get a 350 and can use an adapter on it. Would probably tack weld it to the truck to avoid elongating the pin holes which can happen.
10” is too much. I hit mine routinely and have to take it off when not pulling.
I am going to see if I can flip it upside down and adjust my trailer and get another hitch for my F150 to match the raised trailer tounge. Or chop an inch or 2 off.
I would do a 3 inch 6 or 8 inch drop that matches your hitch which is 20k I believe (although they tag some 3 inch set ups higher). I would also find one that flips around so you can back up close to stuff.
My 10 inch fastway hitch is 2.5” and rated to 20,000/2,000. Got it incase I get a 350 and can use an adapter on it. Would probably tack weld it to the truck to avoid elongating the pin holes which can happen.
I have my 3 in drop tow and stow B&W for sale if you want it for your F150. Message me if interested.
The 10 seems excessive...I am torn between 6 and 8
Thanks, no problem on the 8 inch drop with ground clearance? I did read somewhere they “lowered” the 20s.
Yes I believe Ford slightly lowered the height in 2020 (mine is a 2019). I don't have any issues with bottoming out; the only time the hitch has touched ground was when I was backing into a soft berm to load my dirt bike because I was too lazy to break out the ramp after a day of riding.
An adjustable height mount/hitch will provide versatility for travel trailers, lightweight trailers, and heavy duty equipment trailers (in case you decide to buy/rent one).
I have my 3 in drop tow and stow B&W for sale if you want it for your F150. Message me if interested.
The 10 seems excessive...I am torn between 6 and 8
Unless this is the only trailer you are going to ever pull with this truck, you are most likely going to come across a trailer that will be too low or high. Also not sure if you plan on adding a lift or any suspension modifications that would change the receiver height. If you want to cover your bases, you can:
1. Go with an adjustable
2. Ask for the height of the trailer tongue when level
3. Get both 6 and 8 inch drops and measure when you get to the trailer; return whichever one is not appropriate..
As a very rough estimate (check my math), the trailer appears to have 205/75R15 tires. The rim radius would be 7.5 inches. Tire sidewall height is 75% of 20.5cm, which is 15.3 cm or 6.05 inches. So from center hub to tread is approx 13.5 inches. It would seem 6" is sufficient since you are measuring 19.5 from the truck to ground, but there may be a slight rise/drop from the axle mount point (presumably in the center of the frame heightwise) to the tip of the tongue.
I have the 3" B&W Tow and Stow with an 8" Drop. I went the tri ball since I have a few small trailers I need to move around. I've yet to have any issues with ground clearance.
For my 2020 450 I am using a 10" drop weigh safe. No problem with clearance of just the drawbar when down, When up it is within 1/8" of the "Limited" tailgate trim, any weight on the tailgate and it will hit.
So far I have not needed to use the up position but I do plan on trimming about 1/4" off the hitch.
I posted pictures elsewhere on this forum, I have a problem with the locking pin for the removable ball seizing in the slider.
I have a 10" weigh safe on my 2020 F350 SRW, and I haven't had any problem bottoming out. It gives me 9" of ground clearance, but I don't go off road at all. it will dig a furrow in the grass behind the curb if the landscaping goes up beyond the curb, I usually back into parking spots. But the hitch doesn't seem to care.
Regarding how low you need to go, I have the 10" because my EZ hauler single axle cargo trailer 15" wheels actually is that low, the 10" is what it took to tow the trailer level.
If you are pulling a single axle trailer it won't really bother the trailer if it isn't level, as the wheels and axle don't know the difference. If it is two axles then you need to be level.
For my 2020 450 I am using a 10" drop weigh safe. No problem with clearance of just the drawbar when down, When up it is within 1/8" of the "Limited" tailgate trim, any weight on the tailgate and it will hit.
So far I have not needed to use the up position but I do plan on trimming about 1/4" off the hitch.
I posted pictures elsewhere on this forum, I have a problem with the locking pin for the removable ball seizing in the slider.
I've got the B&W Tow & Stow hitch with a 2.5" shank and 7" drop.
I measured today the distance of 10" from the pavement to the bottom of the shaft.
My 2020 F-250 STX CCSB has the 6.2 L, 4x4, stock suspension and 275/70R18 OEM tires.
I have been debating this as well, and this is the reason I have yet to pull the trigger on a 2.5" Bulletproof Hitch for my 2017 F350. I am going with the Bulletproof because it is longer pin to ball than the B&W. I currently have a generic 2" that I use with my travel trailer and it has a long enough length that I can open by tailgate completely even if the truck isn't perfectly lined up with the camper, and I really like that.
The bulletproof also seems like a quality hitch that is rated for higher than I will ever tow.
I recently purchased a low profile dump trailer and even with the adjustable tongue adjusted as high as possible it is a little nose high. The couple times I have towed it, I just put a little extra weight in the front to settle it down and make it level.
I would like the additional adjustment the 8" offers, but I don't want it dragging. My truck is basically stock height, although I put a slightly bigger tire on it (285/65/20 in the summer and 285/75/18 winter)
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