Trailer hitch question

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Jan 6, 2005 | 02:15 PM

boos2

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Trailer hitch question

I have a 2004 F150 Lariat 4X4. With the towing package.

Does anybody know what drop is needed for the ball hitch?

(I tried searching but most of what I found was F250 or F350 related)

Thanks

Mike

Jan 6, 2005 | 02:28 PM

lardman

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From: Chesterfield, Mi

What do you mean by "drop"?

Jan 6, 2005 | 02:34 PM

bigwtx

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From: Midland, TX

It should depend on the trailer you are towing. The drop is the distance from the hitch itself to the ball on the ball mount. Most 2004 F-150s I've seen have a standard drop, which is two inches.

Jan 6, 2005 | 02:36 PM

Dr No

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Boos2.

You need to know what you are going to tow before you can tell what drop to use as the drop is to keep the load level.

Mike

Jan 6, 2005 | 02:39 PM

boos2

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This weekend I will be towing a 5x9 U-Haul utility trailer.

(I asked at U-haul but those clowns didn't have a clue)

I will also be towing a car hauler in the future.

I have an old ball mount from my 2WD truck but my new 4WD sits considerably higher.

Thanks for all the help

Mike

Jan 6, 2005 | 03:24 PM

lardman

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From: Chesterfield, Mi

My travel trailer receiver has a 1" drop...my brother's ATV trailer requires 4" drop. I have a 4X2...the 4X4 sits higher. I'd stop by uhaul, be suer the trailer is level, and measure how far the top, inside of the ball housing is off the ground. Put your old ball in your hitch and measure how high the top the ball is off the ground. This should tell you how much lower you will need to be. You may want to subtract an inch to the offset to allow your suspension to sink. Be sure you have the right ball size too.

Jan 6, 2005 | 03:31 PM

Lashlaroo

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From: Georgia

My car hauler needs a 4" drop. My boat uses a 2" drop. As Dr. NO stated, it all depends on what your pulling. you want the trailer to be level. They do make a insert that is adjustable, pricy, but if you only want 1 insert that might be the way to go.

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Jan 7, 2005 | 09:48 AM

KevinM

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I tow my 7,000lb plus boat with a 1 inch drop turned upside down so in reality it is a 1" rise. This keeps the tow level. My vehicle is a Screw Lariat with 18 inch tires. The trailer has 14 inch tires.

Last edited by KevinM; Jan 7, 2005 at 09:51 AM.

Jan 7, 2005 | 01:36 PM

#10

boos2

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I went by U-haul and measured. Looks like for their little trailers I need a 5 1/4" drop. I guess I am going to have to have more than 1 ball mount. Car Hauler isn't that low and requires a bigger ball.

Thanks for everyone's input.

Mike

BTW I have the 18" wheels.

Jan 7, 2005 | 01:59 PM

#11

KevinM

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Keep in mind that as you load the trailer the tongue weight will increase which will put more load on the rear and the rear will go down a bit. So you may not need 5" drop, but something less!