Adjustable Ball Mount, How Much Adjustment Needed?
11-28-2012, 08:34 AM
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Adjustable Ball Mount, How Much Adjustment Needed?
I'd like to purchase an adjustable ball mount for my new 2013 F-150 XL 3.7L. I've noticed quite a range of in the adjustable category ranging from 4" to 10". In my case I don't have a current trailer towing need but I do expect to tow a rental trailer from time to time or a piece of rental equipment. Plus my friends now know I have a truck they can borrow! So I need a reasonable amount of flexibility.
I get the sense that going with a 10" mount, while providing lots of flexibility also comes with the risk of bottoming out on inclines, curbs, etc. Plus price is a consideration. Of course I know many people get by with just a fixed mount but I'd prefer to have the option of towing up to 6,500 lbs and with the heavier loads I'm assuming the correct ball height becomes more and more important. I'll leave the discussion for weight distribution for over 5,000 lbs for another day.
Would appreciate feedback from owners of adjustable ball mounts. What brand and size do you have and what issues, if any, have you come up against with regards to height adjustment? Are there any low cost adjustable mounts to stay away from and why?
I get the sense that going with a 10" mount, while providing lots of flexibility also comes with the risk of bottoming out on inclines, curbs, etc. Plus price is a consideration. Of course I know many people get by with just a fixed mount but I'd prefer to have the option of towing up to 6,500 lbs and with the heavier loads I'm assuming the correct ball height becomes more and more important. I'll leave the discussion for weight distribution for over 5,000 lbs for another day.
Would appreciate feedback from owners of adjustable ball mounts. What brand and size do you have and what issues, if any, have you come up against with regards to height adjustment? Are there any low cost adjustable mounts to stay away from and why?
Last edited by Stillmeadow; 11-28-2012 at 10:13 AM.
11-28-2012, 06:33 PM
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11-29-2012, 07:43 AM
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Advice You Can Take to the Bank
11-29-2012, 02:19 PM
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do you plan on leaving your hitch in the reciever all the time?
I originally got a B&W stow and tow. There are different models ranging from 3" to 7" drop or raise. But in the stowed position it sat a little too low to the ground. Where I live theres a side walk behind the parking spots and I like to back my truck up as far as possible over the side walk. With the hitch there wasn't enough clearance. And to take the hitch off each time was not a great option because it weighs like 30lbs or something
Anyway another thing to consider is the ball size. The smaller trailers (<3000lb GTW) will use a 2" ball I think, and the bigger ones will use a 2 5/16" ball.
I ended up just getting a CURT swappable ball stem with a 2" drop/0.75" raise ball mount. So far its been fine with all the box trailers/uhaul trailers I've had to tow.
I originally got a B&W stow and tow. There are different models ranging from 3" to 7" drop or raise. But in the stowed position it sat a little too low to the ground. Where I live theres a side walk behind the parking spots and I like to back my truck up as far as possible over the side walk. With the hitch there wasn't enough clearance. And to take the hitch off each time was not a great option because it weighs like 30lbs or something
Anyway another thing to consider is the ball size. The smaller trailers (<3000lb GTW) will use a 2" ball I think, and the bigger ones will use a 2 5/16" ball.
I ended up just getting a CURT swappable ball stem with a 2" drop/0.75" raise ball mount. So far its been fine with all the box trailers/uhaul trailers I've had to tow.
