How Do I Know How High The Ball Should Sit Above the Ground

Question

Question:

How many inches above the ground should the trailer hitch ball be?

asked by: Dan H

0

Expert Reply:

This will depend on the hitch used and the height of the trailer coupler. You want the trailer to be as level as possible. We have a page on calculating hitch height and coupler height to help you find what ball mount would work best.

Most light duty trailers are 16-17 inches in coupler height, so we recommend ball mounts on the hitch pages that will give that particular vehicle 16-17 inches on the ball mount. The ball mount that provides 16-17 inches height for a 2008 Hyundai Entourage is part # 2753.

expert reply by: Patrick B

0

Rob T.

4/10/2020

I have a fairly steep driveway. Before I purchase a trailer I would like to figure parameters for when my hitch might bottom out. I suspect it has to do with the angle of the driveway and length of trailer from coupler to axle? An illustration on what to find to figure out would be ideal.

Reply

Chris R.

4/11/2020

This is a difficult question to answer because of all the variables involved. There isn't really a set formula or diagram you can use for it. If bottoming out is a big concern, your best route will be to actually mock up a trailer setup with your tow vehicle on the driveway to see where it bottoms out, and what needs to be changed to prevent it. The driveway angle, actual coupler height when hooked up (the rear of your vehicle will likely sag a bit upon hookup), angle you actually come up or down the driveway, etc will all factor into play.

Reply

Answer 1

Normally trailer coupler height is around 17 inches, from the ground to the bottom of the coupler, and most hitch manufacturers design their hitches to work with a ball mount that will end up very close to this measurement. I am including a link to…

view full answer...

Answer 2

The ideal height will actually have to do with how tall the coupler of the trailer is from the ground. The Draw-Tite #76020 will sit at 13 1/2 inches from the ground to the top of the hitch when installed on a 2016 Mazda CX-9. From what I could…

view full answer...

Answer 3

The L-brackets of the Reese weight distribution system #RE44FR need to install between 24.5 and 27.5 inches from the hitch ball center. I attached a picture that I took from the instructions that shows this. The range gives you a bit of flexibility…

view full answer...

Answer 4

For sag from towing a trailer the best recommendation I can make is actually a weight distribution system. Suspension enhancement will help level your truck while towing. But the advantage to a weight distribution system is that it levels the vehicle…

view full answer...

Answer 5

There are a few different ReCurve R3 weight rating options available so I don't know exactly what system you have and if it's properly rated for your trailer with just that info. Your old trailer was rated to weigh up to 4,400 lbs and your…

view full answer...

Answer 6

To choose the correct rise/drop for a ball mount you'll first want to park both your 2015 Subaru Outback Wagon and your single jetski trailer on level ground and then take some measurements. For your Outback Wagon you want to measure from the…

view full answer...

Answer 7

When we installed the etrailer brand #e98847 receiver hitch on a 2019 Subaru Outback Wagon, we found the receiver height to be right at 16 inches, as shown in the linked install video. The average trailer coupler height is around 16 inches, so a ball…

view full answer...

Answer 8

I would be happy to recommend a ball mount for your Ram 1500 4WD with air bags installed, but the correct ball mount is really going to come down to how much of a rise/drop you need to tow your trailer level. To determine the rise/drop you need you…

view full answer...

Answer 9

You'd need a drop of right at 1 inch to tow the trailer you mentioned level based on the dimensions you listed. The closest to that is a 2 inch drop ball mount like the part #C45331 which fits a 2 inch hitch like you have as well. It has a towing…

view full answer...

Answer 10

The Curt #C53HR will not prevent the hands-free liftgate feature on your 2017 Volvo XC90 from working. The only way it may impact is you likely won't be able to activate it with your foot directly under the hitch receiver but it will still work…

view full answer...

Answer 11

The mounting holes for the ball mount on the Channel Style Adjustable Ball Mount #C45900 are 1" apart on center. I have attached a photo demonstrating this and some other measurements for you as well.

view full answer...

Answer 12

We do offer a range of adjustable ball mounts that have a 2-inch hitch ball and fit a 2-inch hitch, such as Curt #C45900 and the others shown on the included link. This Curt mount adjusts from a 6-inch drop to a 5-1/4-inch rise in 1-inch increments.…

view full answer...

How Do I Know How High The Ball Should Sit Above the Ground

Products Referenced in This Question

Featured Help Information

Miscellaneous Media

Continue Researching