Recommended Ball Mount with Best Ground Clearance and 10 Inch Drop

Updated 08/03/2017 | Published 08/02/2017

Products Featured in This Question

Flash Simple Heavy Duty 2-Ball Mount - 2-1/2" Hitch - 10" Drop, 10" Rise - 18K

(505)

$244.28

Convert-A-Ball Ball Mount for 2" Hitches - 8-3/4" Rise - 10" Drop - 8,000 lbs

(1354)

$127.82

Question:

Good Morning!! I have a 2017 Silverado 1 ton 4x4. When I exit my driveway, I only have about 12 inches of clearance from the concrete to the bottom of the 2 1/2 inch opening of my hitch. Will the 10 inch drop present a problem when it is in the lowest position? Thanks for your help, Nolan

asked by: Nolan M

Helpful Expert Reply:

The Fastway Flash E Series HD Adjustable Ball Mount # FA42-00-2925 referenced in your question has a distance of 16 inches from the top of the shank to the bottom of the unused hitch ball when set at its lowest position. This will certainly provide some ground clearance issues on your Silverado when going down the driveway.

If you are needing a 10 inch drop, a better option as it relates to ground clearance might be to go with a standard ball mount like the Convert-A-Ball # AMSC10. This will still have a 10 inch drop but does not include the additional built-in hitch ball and adjustable bracket length when in use. The distance from the top of the shank to the bottom of the ball platform is right around 11-1/2 inches when used in the drop position. This will still be awfully close with your driveway, so you will likely need to leave and pull up at an angle to avoid contact.

I have attached demonstration videos for both of these products along with a link that will take you to our available selection of ball mounts with a 10 inch drop that you can look through.

expert reply by: Chris R