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Improper hitch drop or rise can affect the towing efficiency. If you aim to learn the hitch drop and rise and its measurement, you are at the right place.
Here is how you can measure trailer hitch drop or rise
- Park the Trailer on a Level Surface
- Measure the Distance from the Ground to the Hitch Ball
- Measure the Distance from the Ground to the Trailer Coupler
- Calculate the Hitch Drop and Rise
- Adjust the Hitch to Get Perfect Hitch Level
This guide is going to give you the complete process of measuring the exact hitch drop or rise. So, let’s get started!
Related Article: How to Move a Fifth Wheel Trailer Without a Hitch?
What is the Trailer Hitch Drop and Rise?
Before we dive into the process of measuring trailer hitch drop or rise, it’s important to understand what these terms mean and how they affect towing.
Actually, trailer hitch drop refers to the distance between the ground and the top of the hitch ball. Trailer hitch rise, on the other hand, refers to the distance between the ground and the bottom of the trailer coupler.
Difference b/w Hitch Drop Vs Rise
When the hitch ball is higher than the coupler, this is known as a “drop.” This is often necessary when towing a trailer with low clearance, such as a boat or utility trailer. A drop hitch helps to level out the trailer and keep it stable while towing.
Conversely, when the hitch ball is lower than the coupler, this is known as a “rise.” This is often necessary when towing a trailer that sits high off the ground, such as a travel trailer. A rise hitch helps to keep the trailer level and stable while towing.
It is noteworthy that when the hitch is not properly adjusted, it can cause problems such as swaying, difficulty in connecting the trailer, or difficulty in leveling the trailer. In severe cases, it can even cause accidents. Therefore, it is very important to measure and adjust the hitch drop or rise correctly.
Tools and Equipment Needed
Measuring trailer hitch drop or rise is relatively simple, but it does require some specific tools and equipment. Before you start the process, you will need the following tools to get the process completed with ease.
- Level
- Tape measure
- Measuring wheel
- Jack and Jack stands
- wheel chocks
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Measure Trailer Hitch Drop or Rise?
To measure trailer hitch drop, you will need to measure the distance from the ground to the top of the hitch ball and the distance from the ground to the top of the trailer coupler. In the section below, I will give you the whole process in steps so that you don’t feel it is complicated.
Step 1 – Park the Trailer on the Level Surface
Park the trailer on a level surface and ensure that the hitch is connected to the tow vehicle.
Use the jack and jack stands or wheel chocks to support the trailer. I would suggest you place the level on top of the trailer to ensure that it is level.
Step 2 – Measure the Distance from the Ground to the Hitch Ball
The second step is to measure the distance from the ground to the top of the hitch ball using a tape measure or measuring wheel. During this process, you should keep a notebook in hand, and note all the measurements and readings.
Step 3 – Measure the Distance from the Ground to the Trailer Coupler
Once you’ve measured the distance from the ground to the hitch ball, now it is time for you to measure the distance from the ground to the top of the trailer coupler using a tape measure or measuring wheel. Note this measurement on the notebook.
Step 4 – Calculate the Hitch Drop
It is a kind of calculation that you should do. In the upper section, I told you to write down the measurement of the distance from ground to hitch and then ground to trailer coupler. Now, you will need to subtract the measurement of the distance from the ground to the hitch ball from the measurement of the distance from the ground to the trailer coupler.
The resulting number is the hitch drop. Similarly, for calculating the hitch rise you will need to subtract the measurement of the distance from the ground to the trailer coupler from the measurement of the distance from the ground to the hitch ball. The resulting number is the hitch rise.
Step 5 – Adjust the Hitch
If the hitch drop is too high or too low, or the hitch rises too high or too low, then you will need to adjust the hitch and coupler respectively. Below are actions that you will need to perform
- If the hitch drop is too high, you will need to lower the hitch ball.
- If the hitch drop is too low, you must raise the hitch ball.
- If the hitch rise is too high, you must lower the trailer coupler.
- If the hitch rise is too low, you must raise the trailer coupler.
When you repeat this process 4 to 5 times, then I am sure that you will be able to get the perfect and desired level.
Example
Suppose you measure the hitch height and trailer coupler height and you get that 12 inches is the hitch height whereas 10 inches is the coupler then you will have to do the following calculation to find the hitch rise
Hitch Height – Coupler Height = Drop
As we have a hitch height of 12 inches and a coupler height of 10 inches then,
12 – 10 = 2 (It means that you will need a ball mount at 2 inches drop.)
Similarly, if you find that the hitch height is less than the trailer coupler height then you will get a hitch rise. Suppose, you got the measurement that says that height is 8 inches and the coupler height is 12 inches then you will need to follow the calculation;
Coupler Height – Hitch Height = Rise
12 – 8 = 4 (It means that you will need a ball mount at 2 inches rise.)
Note: When you find that the hitch height is greater than the trailer coupler then you will get hitch rise and vice versa.
Common Problems that You Can Face During Measuring Hitch Drop or Rise
As I said earlier, finding the hitch drop or rise is a comparatively easier process. But sometimes, people do find some issues. In the below section, you will get information about some common problems you may encounter and some solutions for troubleshooting them:
- Uneven ground
If the ground is uneven, it can be tough to get an accurate measurement. To solve this problem, try measuring on a piece of plywood or a large surface.
- Misaligned hitch
If the hitch is not properly aligned, it can be hard to get an accurate measurement. To solve this problem, try adjusting the hitch until it is properly aligned.
- Difficulty in leveling the trailer
If the trailer is not level, it can be difficult to get an accurate measurement. To solve this problem, try using the jack and jack stands or wheel chocks to level the trailer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, a wrong hitch drop or rise can cause damage to both your trailer and tow vehicle. A drop or rise that is too high or too low can cause swaying, and difficulty in connecting the trailer.
Yes, different types of trailers require different drop or rise measurements. For example, a low clearance trailer such as a boat or utility trailer may require a greater drop, while a high clearance trailer such as a travel trailer may require a greater rise.
The amount of drop needed for a trailer hitch varies based on the specific towing setup. Typically, a drop of between 3 to 7 inches is sufficient for most standard towing applications.
Whether a trailer hitch should be high or low depends on the specific towing setup and what you are trying to accomplish. A higher hitch can provide more ground clearance, while a lower hitch can provide a more stable towing experience.
The most common hitch drop is around 4 to 6 inches.
Conclusion
You should keep in mind that the safety of you and other people on the road depends on your towing setup and hitch level. In this guide, I’ve explained all the steps that will help you in maintaining and leveling the hitch drop and rise. I hope that this guide will add value in your life.
I’m Ahmad – the owner of this website and the writer of this post. I’ve spent 15 years in the automotive industry, especially among the hitches. What you’re reading is the experience of my 15 years.