How to Determine the Right Rise/Drop Ball Mount Needed

Updated 06/06/2011 | Published 06/02/2011

Question:

I have a 2002 32 FT Fleetwood Bounder and I want to use a dual ball mount for towing and for a bike rack and I am not sure how much of a rise or I need. This dual mount has a 3 1/2 and another has a 2 1/2. How do I determine without buying the dual ball mount what is the proper rise/ that I need? Thanks Jon

asked by: Jon

Expert Reply:

In order to select the correct amount of rise or drop you would need you will need to take a couple measurements. The goal is to have your trailer sit as level as possible.

The first thing you will need to do is park your tow vehicle on level ground and measure from the ground to the top of the hitch opening on your hitch. See picture

Next, you will want to have your trailer on level ground and have it sitting as level as possible to the ground and measure from the ground to the bottom of the trailer coupler. See picture

Finally, you will need to compute the difference between the hitch opening height and the trailer coupler height. If the hitch height is greater than the trailer height you will need a drop of that difference. If the trailer height is greater than the hitch height you will need the difference between the heights as a rise.

I attached an FAQ on how to pick the right drop/rise ball mount for you to check out also.

expert reply by: Jameson C