How to Choose Correct Ball Mount for Tow Dolly

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Question:

Hi, I have a 2017 Sunstar LX , class A motor home, and would like to tow dolly a car. The question is which type of ball mount should I use but with the following characteristic: since this is my first time that I am going to tow a vehicle and before I buy a tow dolly, I am renting a Uhaul tow dolly with the idea that when I find a good opportunity on a tow dolly buy it. My issue is that I do not know what would be the ideal drop for the tow dolly I am planning to buy, and I need a solution that will fit the Uhaul tow dolly. Per manufacturer the motorhome towing limits are: hitch capacity 5K lbs. max. and tongue weight 500 lbs. max. Another issue that I do not understand is explained in the attached picture.

asked by: Oscar

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

The tow dolly you are looking to rent or purchase should feature a recommended or maximum ball height for the hitch ball it will attach to. For example, the Roadmaster Tow Dolly # RM-2050-1 that we have available recommends a ball height of 18 to 20 inches. Since you do not yet have the tow dolly in hand, you can contact the seller and ask for its coupler height from the ground to see where the ideal hitch ball position will be on your Sunstar RV. You will then simply take a measurement from the ground to the top of the hitch receiver on your RV. The difference between these two measurements determine the amount of drop or rise you will need on the ball mount. If your RV hitch measurement is larger, you will need a ball mount with a drop. If the tow dolly coupler measurement is larger, you will need one with a rise.

I have attached a great article that further explains how to choose a ball mount that you might find helpful.

Since you will be renting a tow dolly and then potentially purchasing one down the line, you might be interested in an adjustable ball mount like the Curt # C45900. This sturdy ball mount allows for a maximum rise of 5-1/4 inches or a maximum drop of 6 inches. It also includes both a 2 inch and 2-5/16 inch hitch ball.

I have attached a short video demonstration on this product, along with a link that will take you to our available selection of ball mounts that you can look through.

expert reply by: Chris R

1

Answer 1

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 2

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 3

You will have to go with a sliding hitch to allow the trailer to make tight turns. For a trailer 8 feet wide the only bed length that's going to allow 90 degree turns without a slider is a stationary hitch. That being said you have two options.…

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Answer 4

Hey Chris, in the instructions for the B and W Turnoverball gooseneck hitch part #BW73FR that you referenced it says that the inner brackets are not needed if the truck has the inner brackets for the OEM hitch already welded to the truck frame. In…

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Answer 5

Curt recommends the use of 250 ft/lbs of torque when tightening the nuts of their hitch balls with a 1 inch diameter shank like the part #C40034 that you referenced. The general rule is for a 3/4" shank tighten to 150 ft/lbs For a 1" shank…

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Answer 6

Hey Dusty, I emailed the manufacturer to get the dimensions you are looking for on the #ABS56FR and the overall length is 5-5/32” with the hole spacing of 3-29/32” center to center.

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Answer 7

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

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Answer 8

Hey Jeff, I checked with Firestone and the only version of the 2025 Toyota Tacoma that the part #F83VV doesn't fit is the 2 wheel drive models. The SR5 can be either 4wd or 2wd so you would need to verify which configuration you have to know if…

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Answer 9

The OEM prep package consists of 4 "pucks" in the bed of the truck that will allow you to drop in puck style hitches for easy installation and removal, that gives you a completely clear bed when not in use. The B&W Companion OEM 5th…

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Answer 10

The ideal height will actually have to do with how tall the coupler of the trailer is from the ground. The Draw-Tite #76020 will sit at 13 1/2 inches from the ground to the top of the hitch when installed on a 2016 Mazda CX-9. From what I could find…

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Answer 11

The B&W Tow and Stow ball mount #BWTS10049B will have some great features. You can stow the mounting platform that has the 3 hitch balls (1-7/8, 2, and 2-5/16 inch) underneath your vehicle. This is nice because you will eliminate the possibility…

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Answer 12

Hello Bob, Thanks so much for reaching out with your question. The Weigh Safe 180 Pro Hitch 2-Ball Mount for 2.5" Hitch – 8" Drop/9" Rise – 25K – Steel #WS63RR weighs just over 34 pounds. Is that going to work for you? How many pounds…

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How to Choose Correct Ball Mount for Tow Dolly

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