Adjustable Ball Mount For a 2021 Tesla Model Y With Shank Long Enough to Clear Rear Bumper

Question:

Hi. I have a 2021 Tesla Model Y, and I am hoping to pull a trailer with a boat. Because this Y is the sport model, it sits fairly close to the ground. So I need approximately a 4inch rise in order to pull a balanced boat trailer. My problem is, I have tried multiple ball hitch setups, and none of them work. When placing the shank into the hitch receiver, I am unable to lock it in place with cotter pin with the setup in the riseinch position because it cant clear the bumper. I.e., the hitch receiver is buriedinch deep beneath the vehicle, so I need a hole within the shank which is further away from the Linch longer shank needed so that the vertical portion of the hitch setup can clear the back bumper. Do you have any suggestions? Ultimately I am hoping to have a ball hitch setup which can be adjusted in height, based on other things I might be pulling. Thanks a lot, I really appreciate it. - Kirk

asked by: Kirk S

Expert Reply:

Without knowing how much clearance you need from your hitch pin hole center to the rear of the bumper fascia I cannot know for sure which size will fit your 2021 Tesla Model Y. I do know on the Draw-Tite Receiver # DT58MR we found a 4" distance from the hitch pin center hole to the rear edge of the bumper. Based on this the Rapid Hitch # AM3411 having 4-1/2" from the hitch pin center hole to the nearest portion of the flange will clear.

expert reply by: Bud M

Kirk

6/23/2024

Bud, thank you so much for the response! And I'm sorry... I'm not sure how my original message to you got so garbled, and was also missing the key information. The distance from hitch pin center hole to the rear edge of the bumper fascia is somewhere between 7" and 8" (i.e., I believe that 7.5" or more of "clearance" ought to be sufficient). In order to pull my boat, I will need at least a 4-inch rise for the ball hitch, the ball of which is 2" diameter. But it would be great to be able to set the rise at different heights, and also to be able to select a 2 and 15/16th ball, so the setup could work for various applications. It would also be great if there were a mount which accomplished this and ALSO showed the tongue weight when the boat is attached. Do you have any products in stock which might fit these parameters? I am also curious if you would specifically recommend a two-point weight distribution hitch for the boat. I.e., is it worth the extra cost? GREATLY appreciate your time and expertise. Kirk

Bud M.

6/25/2024

@Kirk The MaxxTow Adjustable-Height Ball Mount # MT70068 is going to be one of the few adjustable ball mounts we have which will have the rear bumper clearance you need. This is 8-1/8" from the hitch pin center hole to the adjustable height bar. It is adjustable up to 6-1/4" of rise. And by pairing with the Convert-A-Ball Interchangeable Ball Set # 902B you can easily change between ball sizes for the trailer you will be connected to. We do not have any options with the clearance you need and a scale but we do have the Scale # e99044 which will allow you to know the tongue weight before you attach to your Tesla.