noob towing question...
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2003
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noob towing question...
I am going to rent a tow behind chipper that needs a 2" ball. I am assuming the ride height of the trailer hitch is 18". Is that standard? My P/U is a 2004 F350 CC SWB SRW 4x4 w/class IV hitch. How do I figure how much drop I need from the hitch to get a level ride, taking into account some sag on the rear leafs? This will be the first time towing since I tied my wagon to my bike and spilled my sisters in the driveway.
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Joined: Sep 2000
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18" is the general standard for most trailers. But it's more of a guideline and can vary slightly either way.
See if this example makes sense to you:
I measured from the ground up to the top portion of my hitch receiver = 18",
The hitch has a 4" drop from the top of the shank to the base the ball sits on,
The ball is aprox 3" high from the base to the top.
So 18 - 4 = 14 + 3 = 17" The ball is 17", measured from the ground to the top of the ball.
The drop hitches are usually found in 2" increments and they are reversable to give rise instead of drop.
Hope that makes sense and if anyone else knows a better way to explain it, please do!
LOL! Thanks for joining us in the Towing forum! 
See if this example makes sense to you:
I measured from the ground up to the top portion of my hitch receiver = 18",
The hitch has a 4" drop from the top of the shank to the base the ball sits on,
The ball is aprox 3" high from the base to the top.
So 18 - 4 = 14 + 3 = 17" The ball is 17", measured from the ground to the top of the ball.
The drop hitches are usually found in 2" increments and they are reversable to give rise instead of drop.
Hope that makes sense and if anyone else knows a better way to explain it, please do!
This will be the first time towing since I tied my wagon to my bike and spilled my sisters in the driveway.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: USA
I wouldn't worry about it too much, as long as the rear end of the chipper doesn't drag on the ground when you go over a dip in the road, it's probably not a critical thing that it tows level. A 4" drop on an F350 4x4 should be sufficient, I would think.
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Joined: Apr 2004
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they do make a adjustable drop now .. with a hitch pin in the drop.. no extra wrenching.
I have not needed more than a 2" drop for just moving around trailers (F350 FX4)
I have not needed more than a 2" drop for just moving around trailers (F350 FX4)
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Joined: Apr 2004
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Originally Posted by Blasko
Thanks for the help! Before renting a shank and ball, I'll buy I think. I'd like to be able to tow when I need to.
I haven't hear much about the convert a ball, look's like it could be a cool Idea for utility trailers and such I don't know if they go bigger than a 5000# draw, if that high
Last edited by 4 Juvel; Jul 13, 2004 at 07:03 PM.
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Junior User
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Mission accomplished....chipping the hedges was fun for the first hour, then it turned into work. Thanks for the help..
btw..I ended up with a Reese shank (8"drop) and ball, towed level and the chipper didn't compress the springs at all...
btw..I ended up with a Reese shank (8"drop) and ball, towed level and the chipper didn't compress the springs at all...