Recommended Ball Mount For 2023 Nissan Pathfinder With 17.75" Hitch Height Towing Bass Boat

Updated 03/12/2026 | Published 03/09/2026

Products Featured in This Question

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

(49)

$320.98

Curt Hollow Shank 2-Ball Mount for 2" Hitches - 2" and 2-5/16" Balls - 10K - Chrome

(35)

$56.73

Question:

I have a 2023 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum and just purchased a Ranger RT188 bass boat. Based on the height of the top inside of my hitch mount 17.75 inches and the 16 inches tongue height target on the boat trailer, Im right in between heights. A 2 inch puts me closer to 15inches with the tongue weight, but a 0 hitch mount puts me at a little over 17 inches. Im not sure which way to go? Any suggestions.

asked by: Jeff

Expert Reply:

Hey Jeff,

You always want to error on the side of the vehicle side being taller to accommodate suspension sag. Ideally we want the ball mount 1" higher than your coupler, so based on your measurements I would go with a straight ball mount with zero rise/drop which will make the ball mount on your 2023 Nissan Pathfinder about 1-3/4" taller than the coupler height, but this will end up about perfect once weight from the tongue is applied.

I'm not sure which hitch ball your trailer uses (Probably a 2" based on what you're towing it with), but the Curt # C45002 gives you a 2" ball and 2-5/16" ball which will work. The 2" ball you will likely use is rated for 7,500lbs which is more than enough for your boat.

How often do you get your boat out?

expert reply by: Samuel C