Recommended Adjustable Ball Mount with Long Shank for Back of Class C Motorhome

Updated 11/05/2020 | Published 11/03/2020

Products Featured in This Question

Buyers Products Adjustable Tri-Ball Mount for 2" Hitches - 6" Drop/Rise - Solid Shank

(100)

$164.42

Reese Friction Sway Control Kit - Economy - by Draw-Tite, Reese and Hidden Hitch

(486)

$74.51

Question:

Hello, I have a class C motor home and need to get an adjustable height hitch BUT I need it to have a long shank to get past the rear bumper. From the center of the receiver pin hole to the outside wall of the bumper I am at 7. I see a lot of long shanks but they have the angled steel support on them which closes off the length and when flipped upside down to get the height, the support would hit the bumper. I currently have a BW hitch which works fine but I have to use an extender to get past the bumper and I just noticed it is only rated for 3500lbs. Plus I like the idea of not having multiple pieces to pull my trailer so 1 component would be better. Is it also true that Weight distribution hitches are not recommended for Motorhomes? Thor put out a video saying they will do more damage than good. Thanks

asked by: Nick B

Expert Reply:

I'll start off by saying that in almost all cases, using a hitch extender will reduce your tongue weight by 50%, so your 350-lbs TW/3500-lbs towing capacity hitch is likely limited to 175-lbs TW and 1750-lbs towing. However, the Buyers Products # 3371802225 would likely be a good solution since it has 16" from the center of the hitch pin to the top of the hitch ball, so it will clear the 7" you've mentioned without issue. I really like that this ball mount comes with all 3 hitch ball sizes, so you'll be covered no matter what you're towing, and it will provide you with 6" of drop.

If you need more drop than that, the Adjustable Ball Mount - 2" Hitch - 7-3/8" Drop, 6-1/8" Rise - 6,000 lbs # 6580 has the most drop available that would work on your setup at 7-3/8", and it does have 12" from the center of the hitch pin hole to the center of the hitch ball. It does not come with any hitch balls, so you'd need one with a 1" diameter shank; I've gone ahead and linked our entire selection of those to this answer for you if you want to go this route.

In regards to weight distribution on motorhomes, it's quite common because of the distance that the hitch usually is from the rear axle; if you're having trouble with trailer sway, adding something like the Reese Friction Sway Control Kit - Economy - by Draw-Tite, Reese and Hidden Hitch # 83660 would be a good solution.

I've linked some review videos on these parts for you to check out.

expert reply by: Erik B