How To Choose The Correct Ball Mount For A Truck And Trailer With Different Coupler Heights

Updated 01/27/2026 | Published 08/26/2024

Question:

I recently purchased. New Truck I don’t think it rides quite as high as my dodge ram I tow 23.5 ft trailer have not seen yet how even the truck to trailer will be is it safe if its slightly higher or lower not quite even I haven’t gone yet would it be safe for at least one trip

asked by: Christopher

Expert Reply:

Hey Christopher,

You definitely will want the trailer to sit level while towing so it sounds like you need to swap to a new ball mount with either a rise or drop to make up the height difference between your truck and trailer. You'll want to level the trailer and measure from the ground up to the bottom of the trailer's coupler. On the truck you'll measure from the ground up to the top of the inside of the trailer hitch receiver tube. The difference between these two measurements is going to be your needed rise/drop.

If you're only needed a small rise/drop then I recommend getting the etrailer Adjustable 2-Ball Mount # e66PR. It has up to a 6" rise/drop, comes with 2" and 2-5/16" hitch ball, and is easily adjustable. I actually got one myself because it was such a good price point compared to other adjustable ball mounts and it's been a great. I've attached a short video below where Aiden will go over the ball mount in greater detail and one of our help articles that go over measuring for the correct rise/drop.

expert reply by: Kevin C

Measuring for a rise/drop ball mount
(click to enlarge)

Jameson C.

1/27/2026

Hey Christopher, how did things turn out after you measured the height difference between your new truck and trailer? Did the adjustable ball mount help you get the trailer level for towing? Your update could make it easier for others setting up a similar setup.