How to Measure for a Drop Hitch

When determining the appropriate drop hitch for your trailer setup, consider two crucial measurements: hitch height and coupler height.

By obtaining these measurements, you can easily calculate the necessary drop or rise for your hitch by finding the difference between them.

You can measure these dimensions using simple equipment, such as a tape measure. The procedure is straightforward and typically takes no longer than 10 minutes to complete.

Let’s first address a crucial issue: why is it required to account for the drop of the trailer hitch? Before delving into the mechanics of measuring and calculating the drop hitch, let's first understand its importance.

Why do you need to measure for trailer hitch drop?

So, why should you bother measuring for the rise or drop of your trailer hitch? Can't you just fill up your trailer with stuff, hit the road, then attach it to your ball mount?

You may not need to take the extra steps if you are fortunate enough to have a trailer that exactly matches the height of your trailer hitch. The market is actually filled with a wide variety of car types and trailer hitch setups.

Consequently, you can't expect a trailer to perfectly match every vehicle and mount receiver, including the tow vehicle and towing accessories you might be using at any given time.

Since your trailer hitch's rise and drop may not align perfectly, you will need to account for the difference. This is where your drop hitch measurement becomes crucial, allowing you to compensate with the appropriate drop hitch.

Why having a drop hitch is important for towing

The primary purpose of using a drop hitch is straightforward yet crucial: it maintains the trailer's level when connected to your towing vehicle.

Ensuring a level trailer setup is crucial during towing. A trailer that is perfectly level and aligned provides a significantly safer driving experience, benefiting both you and other vehicles on the road.

When we refer to a trailer being "level," it means the trailer is positioned perfectly horizontally while resting on the road, with the trailer hitch securely attached to the towing vehicle's mount.

Conversely, an unlevel trailer is one where the front end either tilts upward or downward when it is hitched to your vehicle.

What drop hitches help with

Achieving a level trailer may require the use of a drop hitch on your towing vehicle. A drop hitch provides a means to adjust the height of the trailer hitch receiver or the tow ball mount, depending on the specific design of the drop hitch.

This adjustment allows you to align the height of the trailer coupler with the height of your tow ball, ensuring the trailer remains perfectly level.

Many drop hitch receivers are designed to fit into standard receiver openings, and in some cases, drop hitches are integrated into the tow bar itself.

Depending on their design, drop hitches can offer a fixed or adjustable vertical height, ranging from 2 inches to over 12 inches. This height adjustment range determines the variety of trailer heights that can be accommodated.

Fixed drop hitches offer a predetermined amount of drop or rise, ideally suited to maintain your trailer's level position. If you intend to tow different trailers with varying heights, it might be beneficial to opt for an adjustable drop hitch receiver.

These receivers allow you to select from multiple drop heights without needing to replace your drop hitch, making it convenient to adjust to different heights when switching between trailers.

Measure hitch drop

B - A = C

To select the appropriate ball mount with the correct drop, follow these steps to take two essential measurements: your hitch height (measurement A) and your coupler height (measurement B).

The difference between these measurements will determine the necessary rise or drop for your ball mount.

• Determine your hitch height (measurement A). With your tow vehicle parked on level ground, measure from the ground to the top of your hitch receiver opening.

• Determine your coupler height (measurement B). Ensure the trailer is level, and then measure from the ground to the bottom of the coupler.

• Calculate the difference: Find the difference between the two measurements by determining which one is greater: your hitch height or your coupler height. This difference represents the required rise or drop for your ball mount.

• Hitch height (A) - coupler height (B) = drop (C).

• If your hitch height is greater, use a ball mount with a drop. If your coupler height is greater, use a ball mount with a rise to compensate.

• You can also flip your drop hitch upside down to utilize it as either a rise or drop option, depending on your needs.

Can You Flip a Ball Mount?

Several trailer hitch ball mounts are designed with the flexibility to be flipped within the receiver tube, enabling the necessary rise adjustment.

Rise, in contrast to drop, is essential when a trailer sits higher than the tow vehicle. You can calculate the required rise using the same measurement method explained earlier.

However, before selecting a ball hitch for a rise application, it is crucial to verify its compatibility. Not all models are suitable for use in the rise position, so ensure that the specific ball mount you choose can be safely employed in this configuration.

What About Adjustable Options?

If you anticipate towing various trailers with varying coupler heights, an adjustable mount could be your best option.

Adjustable mounts offer incremental height adaptability and are often designed to be flipped, allowing for both drop and rise configurations, thereby enhancing their versatility.

Opting for an adjustable mount is particularly advantageous for work trucks and fleet vehicles that need to tow multiple trailers with different height requirements.

What is the Standard Height of a Trailer Hitch?

There is no one-size-fits-all universal height for trailer hitches. Since every vehicle has its own unique ride height, the appropriate trailer hitch height is specific to each vehicle.

Nevertheless, when designing a hitch, clearance from the ground is a crucial factor. A trailer hitch and ball mount must be positioned at a height that ensures they remain above the ground, even when encountering obstacles like speed bumps and potholes, to prevent scraping.