Recommended Rise for Ball Mount on 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness Towing Escapod Topo

Updated 08/27/2024 | Published 01/03/2022

Products Featured in This Question

Curt RockerBall Anti-Rattle Towing Kit - 2" Ball - 5" Drop, 4" Rise - 7,500 lbs

(25)

$99.95

Curt RockerBall Shock Absorbing 2" Hitch Ball - 1" Diameter Shank - Chrome - 7.5K

(136)

$49.95

Curt Anti-Rattle Kit for Hollow Shank Accessories - 2" Hitch

(179)

$17.10

Question:

I'm new to towing, but I've watched the videos on how to calculate rise and , and they seem to assume a standard distance between the bottom of the ball mount and the top. But the Rockerball states that it adds an extra 1.5" of height. I'm picking up an Escapod Topo trailer in a month. The trailer manufacturers guidance is to have the top of the ball 24" above the ground. They don't specify the height to the bottom of the coupler. Ill be towing it with a 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness with the OEM hitch installed. The top of the hitch receiver on the vehicle is 17.5" above ground unloaded. When I sit on the tailgate to simulate the 200-250 lb tongue weight of the trailer, it squats down by about an inch to 16.5. So, here's what I'm trying to figure out... Since Escapod gives the top-of-ball height instead of the bottom-of-coupler height, I guess I'm supposed to assume a roughly 2inch difference for a 2inch ball, so the coupler bottom should be about 22, right? This leads me to believe I want a 5inch rise. This ball mount plus Rockerball states it has a 4inch rise, but is it: a 2.5" rise plus 1.5" extra for the Rockerball for a total effective 4 , or b 4" rise plus 1.5" extra for the Rockerball for a total effective 5.5 Please help me figure out which mount to get me the proper rise?

asked by: Ryan S

Expert Reply:

The Curt RockerBall Anti-Rattle Towing Kit # C43KR takes the additional height of the base of the RockerBall into account for the listed 4" rise and 5" drop. I have attached an image below showing how it is measured.

Typically, you find the correct rise and drop by measuring the distance from the ground to the top of your receiver hitch opening and subtracting the distance from the ground to the bottom of the coupler. This should be done with your vehicle loaded for accuracy, you do not need to sit on the tailgate to try and simulate the tongue weight of the trailer.

In this case we will go ahead and use the 17.5" measurement you have. In order to reach a ball height of 24" we need the top of the ball to sit 6.5" above the top of your receiver. The RockerBall that comes with this kit is the # C40047. The height of the # C40047 is 4.091" when measured from the base. This leaves 2.409" of rise needed for the top of the ball to reach the appropriate height. This doesn't have to be exact, and a slight difference won't hurt anything.

In order to get close to this, we can put a ball mount together that will be the same as the kit. For the ball mount, you can use the Draw-Tite # 2753 which has a 2-3/4" rise. Then you will also need the Curt RockerBall # C40047 and the Curt Curt Anti-Rattle Kit # C69HR.

I have attached some review videos, as well as a helpful article on measuring for rise and drop for your reference.

expert reply by: Robin H

Curt RockerBall Drop.
(click to enlarge)

Scott M.

8/26/2024

Recommended Rise for Ball Mount on 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness Towing Escapod Topo I too have a 2022 Outback Wilderness and was wondering if I can use what you recommended. The company that sold me the trailer used a 4" rise, 6" drop hitch w/ 1" hole, from Trailer Parts Pro but then added a 4" high ball. I'd measure the trailer coupler but it's on an unlevel driveway and I don't have a hitch because the one mentioned bent when I hit a rut at a campground (5 mi/hr). It was crazy, the secured/checked coupler popped off the ball and the trailer somehow bypassed the crossed chains, hit the ground and bent the front of the trailer frame ($5K in damage but insured). Thanks for your time.

Scott M.

8/26/2024

Update: I got level measurements and the total rise I need is 5". Since the Rockerball is 4.09, should I get a 3/4" rise (couldn't find a 1" rise) or a 2" rise? My trailer tongue weight is under the limit of 350 lbs but I've read where Outbacks sag a little. Thanks

Robin H.

8/27/2024

@ScottM the rise/drop is actually measured from the top of the shank (top inside of receiver) to the top of the ball platform. You don't count the height of the ball when figuring this. I'm assuming you counted the hitch ball shank as part of your 4" measurement, otherwise that is awfully high. I would expect something like 2-1/2" - 2-3/4" for the ball height. Either way, if you want a 5" rise then the # C43KR is going to work well. The RockerBall has that additional height from the base that is accounted for in the drop measurement. The 5" drop is measured to the base of the ball instead of the top of the ball platform which you can see above. However, it looks like our own measurement is off on this for rise. The ball mount this uses is the # C45070 which has a 4" rise/6" drop. Accounting for the height of the base you're going to be sitting at 5-1/2" which will be perfect. To make sure the coupler doesn't come off of the ball again I would also add something like a Coupler Lock # e98888 to keep it secure.

Helpful Links

faq-ballmount.aspx