How to Select a Ball Mount for My 2001 Ford Escape to Tow a Small Tracker Boat

Question:

i will be pulling a small tracker boat. not sure whay ball mount to use. and should i get a extender?

asked by: William H

Expert Reply:

To determine the correct 1-1/4 inch ball mount to use on your 2001 Ford Escape you will need do a little math. Things like vehicle and trailer tire size and coupler height and hitch height require us to measure to get the correct ball mount to properly tow the trailer.

Simply measure from the ground to the top of your receiver opening on the Escape, then measure from the ground to the bottom of the trailer coupler where the ball goes in, with the trailer frame as level as possible. The difference will tell you the rise or drop that is needed to tow your trailer in the proper level position.

You will most likely need a drop for towing Tracker boat with the Escape. When subtracting the receiver height from the coupler height if you get a positive answer the the difference is the amount of drop you need, if you get a negative answer, trailer coupler higher than receiver height, the difference is that rise you need. We have an article that details this process for you to review, see link.

I have provided a link to our 1-1/4 inch drawbars page, just click on the link to 1-1/4 inch drawbars at the top of the page to view what we have available for you to select from. The Ford Escape should have a Class II 3,500 lb. rated hitch installed. The most popular drawbar for Class II hitches is the Class II Drawbar 2-5/8 inch Rise or 3-1/4 Inch Drop (Kit)., item # 36071. Check your owners manual to be sure of the hitch Class that is installed on your Escape. If you have a Class I 2,000 lb. hitch the most popular drawbar is the Sportframe Drawbar 2-1/8" Rise or 2-3/4" Drop 2000# Kit, item # 3593.

An extender should not be required for towing your boat trailer. I would not use an extender unless absolutely necessary. Extenders add stress to the towing components because of the added distance from the trailer hitch that the tongue weight is placed and this recuces your hitch tongue weight capacity by 50 percent.

You will also need a properly sized ball for towing your trailer. The 2 inch Tow Ready Ball, item # 19258, or the 1-7/8 inch Tow Ready Ball, item # 19256, will work for your vehicle.