Hitch and Ball Mount Recommendation for a 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis Needing a 3 inch Rise

Updated 04/21/2014 | Published 04/19/2014

Products Featured in This Question

Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2"

(280)

$231.94

Question:

2008 Mercury Grand Marquis. I want to buy a 2inch receiver hitch and ball mount from etrailer.com for this vehicle. Without the receiver hitch mounted, its not possible to calculate the rise/ needed for ordering the ball mount. Im thinking that the top of the 2inch opening in the receiver is probably going to be about a 1-1/2inch below the bumper fascia for this vehicle. Sound about right? Ill make my measurement with an empty car based on that for determining the rise/ mount that I need. I dont have specific trailer to tow but most likely it will be a renal trailer. I had a hitch installed on another car and I was told by rental company that 16inch from top of ball to ground is the target dimension that rental company uses for their trailer tongue designs. And having towed with that other car, I would say that worked out well. Does that sound about right to you? Ill make my calculations based on that unless you have other thoughts. By the way, the rental company indicates the maximum height of the ball above the ground for trailers is 25 inches. The last question is the length of the ball mount. Im pretty sure based on how low the bottom of the bumper is on this vehicle that I will have ot use a ball mount in the rise orientation. Does the recommended ball mount length that your ordering system determines, assure bumper/fascia clearance for this vehicle in the rise orientation? Thanks! Great site and prices!

asked by: Fred G

Helpful Expert Reply:

For a Class III 2 inch hitch for your 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis you would want the Curt Hitch part # 13707. When we installed this hitch on a similar vehicle we found that from the ground to the top of the hitch opening was 13-1/4 inches.

Assuming the rental company you talked to was right, and their trailers will be about 16 inches from the ground to the bottom of the coupler you would need about a 3 inch rise.

I think your best solution would be to get the etrailer.com ball mount kit part # EBMK2416 since it comes with a ball mount that will have a 3 inch rise and also comes with a 2 inch and a 2-5/16 inch hitch ball, plus a pin and clip. I will guarantee that this would clear your rear fascia in the rise position.

I attached an FAQ article on picking out the correct rise/drop ball mount for you to check out also.

expert reply by: Jameson C