When towing, you need to ensure both vehicles are balanced for the best weight distribution. With the several accessories you need, such as the ball mount and hitch, they need to work seamlessly to keep the tow vehicle and trailer level as you drive. For this, you need to learn how to measure hitch drop for the best installation.
What is hitch drop?
The trailer hitch drop or rise is the distance between the hitch receiver on your car, truck, or SUV and the hitch coupler on your trailer. Hitch drop is when the coupler is lower than the hitch receiver and ball mount on your tow vehicle.
The vehicle and trailer you are towing do not come with an equal height from the ground to bumper, and to tow safely, you need to adjust your hitch ball mount, so the vehicle and trailer are level as you drive. With the wrong measurement and installation, your tow vehicle can understeer or oversteer as it drags the gross trailer weight. Such a situation would make it hard to drive and lead to uneven tire wear on your vehicle.
Other than the hitch drop, you may also find a trailer coupler that is higher than the ball mount and vehicle receiver, a case in which you will need to measure the trailer hitch rise. Again, the measurements are vital because you need to ensure the vehicle and trailer handle their weights without oversteering or understeering.
How to Measure Hitch Drop
To measure hitch drop, you need to measure the difference between the hitch receiver on the vehicle and the hitch coupler on the trailer to determine what adjustments you need to make as you attach the ball mount. Normally, you will need to have the receiver and coupler ready on your vehicle and trailer, respectively.
When you measure the distance from the ground on each end, you will need to subtract the coupler measurement from the hitch receiver measurement to get your drop. Let us detail the steps in simpler terms below, but first, needed supplies.
Before you measure trailer hitch drop, you need;
- your towing vehicle (ideally loaded with the weight it will carry)
- your trailer (it is better to have it loaded with the weight you need to transport)
- a ruler. You can also use a tape measure, but you need to be careful not to stretch the tape too much.
- trailer kickstand or jack
- a bubble level
Once you have everything, here are the steps to measure your drop.
Step 1: Ensure the vehicle has no obstructions near the hitch receiver, including the ball mount. You will also want to have the tow vehicle parked on a level surface so you can get the best measurement.
Step 2. Place the extension or ruler next to the ball platform and mark the receiver's position. You need to measure the height from the ground to the top of the hitch receiver opening. Note the measurement on the ruler, or note it down on a piece of paper.
Step 3: Once you have the vehicle hitch height, you need to measure the trailer's. First, keep the trailer level using a bubble level and trailer kickstand. It is better that you do so on a trailer that is already loaded with the weight you need to transport to represent a clearer picture of how your journey will be.
Step 4: Once leveled, use your ruler to measure the height from the ground to the coupler on your trailer. Note the measurement down.
Step 5: Now that you have both heights, subtract the smaller height from the bigger height that determines drop or rise. If the coupler height is lower than the receiver on your vehicle, you have a trailer hitch drop and will need a drop hitch or tow ball mount with a drop for even towing.
Step 6: Repeat these measurements for every vehicle you intend to tow your trailer with and scribble the measurements on your notebook to avoid repeating the process each time you need to tow. Similarly, take the measurements for the multiple trailers you may need to tow with the same vehicle.
Step 7. Note, with different vehicles, you get results that indicate a trailer hitch rise, which will tell you which ball mount to use for the best hitch height. Also, when you want to avoid buying a drop hitch for every installation, you can use an adjustable ball mount. An adjustable ball mount platform can work with different vehicles and trailers.
What to Do After Measuring the Hitch Drop
Now that you know how to measure the trailer hitch drop, you can install the hitch and ball mount. It would be best to choose the right hitch and ball mount for this step.
1. Hitch Types
There are three types of hitches available today: a standard ball mount, a gooseneck hitch, and an articulating hitch. These hitches come in various sizes, shapes, and styles.
The best way to decide which hitch is right for you depends on what kind of trailer you plan to use. If you plan to tow a small trailer, a gooseneck or articulating hitch will probably work better. On the other hand, the standard ball mount would be ideal for towing a large trailer.
a) Standard Ball Mounts
Standard ball mount hitches are the most common type of hitch used today. They attach directly to the vehicle's frame and provide a fixed angle between the vehicle and the trailer. This allows them to connect and disconnect without any problems easily. However, they are not as versatile as other hitches because they cannot move around and adjust to different angles. As a result, they are typically found on older vehicles, such as trucks and SUVs.
b) Goose Neck Hitches
Goosenecks are similar to standard ball mounts, except they allow the vehicle and trailer to move independently. This means that the vehicle can turn while the trailer remains stationary. In addition, a gooseneck hitch is more stable than a standard ball mount because it does not rely on the strength of the vehicle's frame. As a result, the hitch makes it easier to maneuver through tight spaces and over obstacles.
c) Articulating Hitches
Articulating hitches make towing easier by allowing the vehicle and trailer to change their relationship. An articulating hitch has two parts: one part attaches to the frame of the truck or SUV, and another part attaches to the trailer. The two parts move together when your trailer is connected to the truck. The two parts move outwards as the vehicle turns, changing the angle between the vehicle and trailer. This allows the vehicle to turn while keeping the trailer straight.
2. Ball Mount vs. Tow Ball mount
A tow ball is a metal piece that connects to the trailer and hooks onto the tow vehicle's bumper. You must purchase this separately if you don't already own a tow ball mount. Tow balls are inexpensive and easy to install. However, they only work with certain trailers and can be difficult to remove after towing. They also tend to wear down quickly.
A ball mount is a plastic device that attaches to your vehicle's frame and holds the tow ball. The ball mount comes in many different designs and colors to match your vehicle. These ball mounts are expensive but last longer than tow balls. However, they are harder to install. Also, they are not compatible with all trailers.
How to Install a Drop Hitch
Installing a drop hitch requires drilling holes into the frame of your vehicle. Then, you need to drill holes into the trailer and secure the trailer hitch using bolts. The process is fairly simple, but you should take precautions when doing it yourself.
Step 1. Remove the old bolt holes before installing the new ones. Otherwise, you may damage the frame of your car.
Step 2. Drill a hole above the frame where the hitch pin goes. Ensure to keep the drill perpendicular to the frame.
Step 3. Drill another hole below the first hole, using a screwdriver to guide the drill bit as you drill.
Step 4. Attach the drop hitch to the frame using the provided hardware. Be careful not to overtighten the bolts. Overtightening them could cause the frame to crack.
Step 5. Attach the trailer to the hitch using the provided hardware.
Step 6. Test the trailer hitch by driving around the block. If everything works properly, you can now drive off!
Tips & Warnings;
- Consider purchasing a strong hitch if you plan to tow a heavy load.
- It would be best to work with an adjustable ball mount for different trailer hitches.
- Always check with your local laws regarding towing. In some states, you are required to get special permits to operate a vehicle with an attached trailer.
Benefits of Measuring Hitch Drop
When you learn how to measure the trailer hitch drop, these are the main benefits you stand to enjoy.
- Measuring the hitch height will help you determine whether or not your current ball mount setup is safe enough for towing.
- The hitch height measurement is important because it helps you know how much clearance you have between the bottom of the trailer and the ground. If there isn't enough clearance, then you might want to look into getting a larger hitch. On the other hand, when you have more than enough clearance, you might lower the hitch a little more. This would make it easier to maneuver your vehicle on bumpy roads.
- The measurements are also helpful when planning to buy a new trailer. When shopping for a trailer, you'll want to ensure it is compatible with your tow vehicle.
Conclusion
If you are learning how to measure hitch drop, you know how important it is to make sure your trailer hitch is set up correctly. This article has given you a thorough overview of the topic, from choosing adjustable ball mounts to installing a trailer hitch. Hopefully, you learned something new today!