How to Determine Correct Ball Mount Rise/Drop for Towing with a 2015 Subaru Outback Wagon

Updated 05/20/2020 | Published 05/18/2020

Products Featured in This Question

etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Matte Black Finish - Class III - 2"

(745)

$189.73

Curt Fusion Ball Mount for 2" Hitches - 2" Ball - 2-1/4" Rise - 7,500 lbs

(457)

$42.05

Question:

How do I decide what size rise/drop trailer hitch bar to purchase for a 2015 Subaru Outback, to tow a single jetski trailer?

asked by: Ruth C

Expert Reply:

To choose the correct rise/drop for a ball mount you'll first want to park both your 2015 Subaru Outback Wagon and your single jetski trailer on level ground and then take some measurements. For your Outback Wagon you want to measure from the ground to the top inside of the hitch receiver, and then for your trailer you want to measure from the ground to the bottom of the coupler.

If your hitch is higher then you need a drop but if your trailer is higher you need a rise. Simply subtract the smaller number from the larger number and that is the amount of rise/drop you want. It is okay if you can't get a ball mount for the exact rise/drop though. If you can get it within an inch you'll be just fine (it would be better to be higher than lower if you're off).

For example, when we installed the etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver # e98847 on a '15 Outback Wagon we found that it measured 15-3/4" from the ground to the top inside of the receiver. If our trailer coupler measurement is 18" (theoretically) then we need a rise of 2-1/4" which we can get spot on with the Curt Fusion Ball Mount # C45155 which has a 2-1/4" rise.

Attached is a link to a ball mount article that explains all of this as well.

expert reply by: Jon G