Solution for Adding Tailgate Clearance While Ball Mount and Keeping Trailer Level

Published 10/25/2018

Products Featured in This Question

Draw-Tite Ball Mount for 2" Hitches - 1" Rise, 2" Drop - 12" Long - 12,000 lbs

(3475)

$58.16

B&W Heavy-Duty Ball Mount - 5" Rise, 6" Drop - 10-3/4" Long - 16,000 lbs

(279)

$74.00

Question:

2014 F150 Lariat 4x4 I need additional length between my truck and trailer to be able to lower my tailgate when the trailer is attached. Curious if towing a level trailer is important as a two inch drop would not level the trailer for towing. The trailer rides level at a drop 5-6inch . The truck does not have a lift only a front level kit, so the rear of the truck is at stock height. Primary tow is for a Polaris Ranger. I thought about your 8inch hitch extension which would work with the current ball I have. However, Im an overkill person and would prefer the 12,000lb capacity vs the 3,500lb capacity that the extension would limit me to. Thanks

asked by: Kyle

Expert Reply:

Getting your trailer as level as possible when it's hooked up to your Ford F-150 is definitely a goal worth working towards and I do have an option that may allow you to achieve this while still gaining the clearance you need for your tailgate.

Using a ball mount that doesn't feature a sufficient drop will cause the trailer to ride nose high. If you have a dual axle trailer this will put more weight on the rear axle, leading to uneven tire wear and possibly causing damage if that rear axle becomes overloaded as a result. More weight at the rear of the trailer also means there will be less weight at the front. If a trailer's tongue weight is too light you will likely have issues with sway and your routine drives might consist of a few white-knuckle moments as you attempt to get the trailer back in line.

The Draw-Tite Ball Mount # 4284 that you were looking at features a 2 inch drop and a length of 12 inches from the center of the hitch pin hole to the center of the ball hole.

For a ball mount that may work to provide tailgate clearance while also keeping the trailer level, I recommend taking a look at the B&W Ball Mount # BWBMHD30014. This ball mount is just a bit shorter but still provides a long shank that measures 10-3/4 inches from the hitch pin hole to the hitch ball hole. It will give you a 6 inch drop and a robust 16,000 pound towing weight capacity for the added safety margin you're looking for. Its 1-1/4 inch ball hole diameter matches the Draw-Tite unit you were looking at as well.

I have attached a short video demonstration on this ball mount that you can also check out.

expert reply by: Chris R