Average Hitch Height

Burns · Jun 11, 2021

Gentlemen, heathens, barbariens,

Is there an average ball height that I should shoot for when buying a drop hitch? Ive got a '74 F250 crew cab with '05+ axles, 6bt, and a ZF6....just built a rear tue bumper and looking to buy a drop hitch, but unsure what height off the ground to shoot for. Typical load would consist of an 18ft dual axle car trailer, or a 22ft enclosed. I dont have either trailer next to me to measure, and thought it would be a good question to spark debate.

Is there a standard coupler height for car trailers?

Derp · Jun 11, 2021

Goddamn, is there a build thread on that thing??? Sorry I have nothing relevant to your question to add, but that truck looks like the best of everything all combined into one, I love it!

YotaAtieToo · Jun 11, 2021

Like I told my father in law recently. Buy an adjustable hitch, it will save you a ton of money in the long run.

This is roughly the price of 2-2.5 normal ball mounts and will tow anything but stupid ass 1 7/8s which needs to go away anyway.

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/AAQAG0434700001?cid=paidsearch_shopping_dcoe_google&campaign=GSC-Towing&campaign_id=8911645606&adgroup_id=121248264881&adtype=pla&gclid=Cj0KCQjwk4yGBhDQARIsACGfAetsHWByhAMYwtGwKAGPZCSPu51d3KHCmwEp2FiIEGMzJsvxSQzgHZQaAs1YEALw_wcB&

Also, yes, awesome truck. Those wheels actually look really good with the classic truck. I'm on the look out for wheels for my 97 F350 since I want to go to 17-18s for bigger brakes, but don't want to give up my classic looks.

Provience · Jun 11, 2021

start with a 2" drop and go from there, buy from some place with free returns so that you can adjust as needed. you may need 4" drop, but it also depends on how much the truck suspension drops when loaded.

crazybluerider · Jun 11, 2021

Most trailers are around 17-18" from my experience. I tend to set the truck up around 19" to account for sag.

PAE · Jun 11, 2021

rockota · Jun 11, 2021

https://www.etrailer.com/s.aspx?qry=Drop+Hitch+Ball+Mounts

Buy adjustable. I have the stow and tow... 5 years now. no issues.

Wulf · Jun 11, 2021

YMMV based on bumper height. My 04 F250 needed a 2" drop for most trailers. My 2016 needs a 4-6" drop for the same trailers so I bought an adjustable Bulletproof drop hitch with the 2 and 2 5/16 ball.

No real complaints.

rockyota83 · Jun 12, 2021

crazybluerider said:
Most trailers are around 17-18" from my experience. I tend to set the truck up around 19" to account for sag.

this

different trailer types will vary but this is the normal height for your average car trailer

Burns · Jun 17, 2021

Measured everything up and went with a 8'' bulletproof. 6" of drop put me on the cusp of "is the tongue too high, will squat come into play".....then I remembered that I have a firestone airbag kit to fab/install so better safe than sorry with rear adjustability. My rear bumper is pretty high, so that played into this all too!

Burns · Jun 17, 2021

Derp said:
Goddamn, is there a build thread on that thing??? Sorry I have nothing relevant to your question to add, but that truck looks like the best of everything all combined into one, I love it!

Ill have to start a build thread to catch everyone up. I was on Pirate at age 16 or so.....and it taught me to think before building and have a rough plan in place. I always dreamed of my own build thread but never thought I had the skills to show off/cool shit. Things have changed now lol. There is one guy in the Ford Section here that had a VERY similar build. His is nicer, but its funny as we have very similar yet very different trucks.....his fab skills are lightyears above mine though