How to Measure for the Correct Rise or Drop for a Ball Mount for an EZ Loader Boat Trailer

Updated 06/13/2011 | Published 06/10/2011

Question:

How do you measure ball height relative to the reciever opening? My 2011 Silverado has a 2 receiver with the center of the opening 16 1/2 inches off the ground. I need a ball height top of the ball of 25-26 inches for a EZ Loader boat trailer 9000 lbs. What is the standards for measuring ball height? What is the height difference between a measured ball height of 20 on a ZERO rise/ ball mount and the center of the receiver?

asked by: Randy G

Expert Reply:

We actually have an FAQ article on this exact subject. I have included a link to it for you to view and I will outline it here as well. When measuring for the correct rise or drop you will need, first make sure that vehicle and trailer are parked on level ground.

Measure from the ground to the top of the receiver opening. Then measure from the ground to the bottom of the trailer coupler with the trailer level. If the hitch opening is higher, the difference between the two measurements is the amount of drop you will need. If the hitch is lower, the difference is the amount of rise you will need.

I have included a link to our ball mount main page for you. Once you have taken the measurements, it will be easy to find the correct rise or drop because you can search by rise/drop using the navigation menu on the left side of the page.

expert reply by: Michael H