How to Match Different Heights of Hitch Ball and Trailer Coupler for Safe Level Towing
Updated 06/09/2015 | Published 06/07/2015
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Question:
I have a Komfort travel trailer that I have leveled the coupler ball socket at 18inch from the ground. The trailer hitch ball I have on my vehicle is 24inch from the ground at the lowest setting. Is it OK to lift the tongue of the trailer to meet the ball, or does it need to be level to tow? Thanks,
asked by: Matt B
Expert Reply:
Thank you for providing a photo of your trailer coupler.
Trailers should always be level when hitched. If a trailer is out of level when towed it will tend to have more sway.
I notice you have weight distribution (WD) lift brackets on your trailer frame. If you are using a WD system you can get a new shank that has enough height drop to let your trailer be level when hitched. Based on your 6-inch height difference between the hitch ball and coupler, you can use a WD shank with 5-6 inches of drop. (It is okay for a hitch ball to be up to 1-inch higher than the coupler to account for vehicle rear-end squat.) The linked page will show you all WD shanks and you can click on the filters to choose your hitch size (2-inches or 2-1/2-inches), and the trailer tongue weight (TW) to find a suitable shank.
If you are not using the WD system and have a standard ball mount and hitch ball, you can use a new ball mount with the necessary 5-inches of drop. We offer both fixed and adjustable types that can be seen by clicking on the link.
Let's say you want a 2-inch cushioned ball mount with 6-inches of drop that is rated for up to 14,000-lbs of trailer weight. In this example you can use part # AMSC6HD from Convert-A-Ball. The linked article on ball mounts will help you choose the correct one for your set up.
A helpful article on towing tips is also included for you.
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