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If you’re a proud owner of a Ford F150 and are looking to tow a trailer, you’ll need a drop hitch that’s the right size for your vehicle. Choosing the right or suitable size is very important because a drop hitch that’s too small or too big can cause your trailer to sag or have difficulty in control and handling.
It is a fact that drop hitches are a popular accessory for F150 truck owners who frequently tow trailers. But don’t be confused if you are unaware of the proper size of the drop hitch. This guide is going to be dedicated to the drop hitches size that you can use for F150.
What Size Drop Hitch for F150? What size drop hitch you need depends on many factors. However, when it comes to Ford (F150) with a hitch receiver height of 18 inches then you should make sure to use a 2-4 inch drop. However, the hitch drops vary with the height of the hitch receiver and the model of the Ford truck.
In this post, I will take a deep dive into the world of drop hitches, and provide you with all the information you need to determine the perfect drop hitch size for your F150. So, let’s get started.
Related Article: What Size Weight Distribution Hitch Do I Need?
What are Drop Hitches?
Before we can discuss drop hitch sizing, it’s important to understand what drop hitches are and why they are used. A drop hitch is essentially a trailer hitch that allows for greater flexibility when towing. It works by providing a way to adjust the height of the hitch ball, which in turn allows the trailer to be level when being towed.
The usage of drop hitches is even more useful when towing a trailer with a lower profile, as it eliminates the need for complicated and potentially dangerous setups. Keep in mind that there are several different types of drop hitches available on the market.
The most common types are fixed, and adjustable drop hitches. Fixed drop hitches are set at a specific height and cannot be adjusted, while adjustable drop hitches allow for height adjustments to be made.
Recommended Drop Hitch Sizes for F150
When it comes to determining the appropriate drop hitch size for your F150, there are a few general guidelines to follow. To be honest, what size you need depends on the weight of the trailer you’re towing. For trailers with a weight of 2,000 lbs or less, a 2″ drop hitch is typically recommended.
On the other hand, for trailers with a weight of 2,001-4,000 lbs, a 4″ drop hitch is going to be more suitable. Similarly, if you have a trailer with a weight of 4,001 lbs or more, a 6″ drop hitch is typically recommended.
When it comes to the F150 having a hitch receiver height of 18 inches, a drop of 2-4 inches is typically appropriate for most trailers. But it can vary and you should always consult manufacturers and get information about the size of your drop hitch for F150.
You should keep in mind that hitch drop varies with the height of the hitch receiver. For example:
| Receiver Height | Hitch Drop (inches) |
| 16 | 4-6 |
| 17 | 3-5 |
| 18 | 2-4 |
| 19 | 1-3 |
| 20 | 0-2 |
When choosing a drop hitch for a Ford F-150, it is important to consider the towing capacity of the specific model. For example, the
- Ford F-150 XLT has a maximum towing capacity of 12,000 lbs
- Ford F-150 Raptor has a maximum towing capacity of 8,000 lbs.
So, what model of Ford you’re driving is very important when choosing a drop hitch that is rated for the maximum towing capacity of your specific F-150 model.
Another important consideration when choosing a drop hitch for a Ford F-150 is the type of towing that will be done. If you’ll be towing a recreational trailer for weekend camping trips, a 2″ or 4″ drop hitch may be sufficient.
On the other hand, if you’re towing a commercial trailer having more weight for work purposes, then you will need a hitch drop size of 6″ or even 8″ drop. In such a case, choosing a bigger-sized drop hitch is gopher stability and safety.
In the end, I would say that there are different factors including the weight of the trailer and the capacity of your towing vehicle. For most trailers, a drop of 2-4 inches is usually suitable for hitching them to an F150 with a hitch receiver height of 18 inches.
Also Read: Dry Graphite Lubricant for Hitch Ball
Why Proper Hitch Sizing is Important?
According to my experience, I can tell you that selecting the right size drop hitch is extremely important for safe and smooth towing. When you use a drop hitch that is too small, your trailer can sag, putting extra weight on your vehicle’s rear axle and causing imbalance.
On the other hand, if you use a drop hitch that is too high, your trailer will ride too high, and the weight of the trailer will shift forward, which can cause instability and sway. The trailer sway will make it difficult for you to control and potentially lead to instability and sway on the road.
To avoid these problems, it’s important to use the correct size hitch drop to keep your trailer level and evenly distribute its weight across the hitch. This not only ensures the safety and stability of your vehicle and trailer but also improves handling and control on the road.
Is It Better to Have a Trailer Hitch Too High or Too Low?
Look, your aim should be to drive with peace of mind. Instability or uncontrolled sway is something that will directly affect your driving peace. When you use too high or too low a high drop, then you are more probably going to face trailer sway and instability.
So, it is ideal to use the height which is recommended for your type of trailer and towing. Either using the height drop too or too low, will destroy your driving pleasure. You should consider the weight of the trailer to know about the proper height of the hitch drop. In the above section, I have explained in detail what will surely help you know what size of hitch drop you need.
Conclusion
Choosing the appropriate drop hitch size for your Ford F-150 is essential for safety and stability when towing. In this article, I have gone into depth and guided you about everything you need to know about the ideal size of a drop hitch. I hope that my words will add value to 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.
