Trailer hitch height

[Matt Garcia]

Does anyone know what the recommended trailer hitch height is with a boat attached? I read it should be anywhere from 13-14 inches from the bottom of the hitch ball to the ground. It probably varies between each vehicle but do certain trailers have a recommended towing height?

I switched to a new hitch (Stainless) and this one is a tad lower than my previous. However the boat/trailer looks level and tows fine.

[ImaPigDog]

You are correct - it does vary. The key is that the trailer should be level.

It depends on the height of the trailer and the height of the receiver on tow vehicle. The size of the drop/rise in the ball mount should be selected to keep the trailer level.

[mtnsmith]

Second that, the axles on leaf spring trailers will self level to equally carry a load and break evenly to an extent, but the more level the boat the better. Torsion axles must be level since each axle is independent of the other. Having the load level will also ensure that there is not too much tongue weight, or too little, if more or less weight is on the front axle then it effects how the trailer rides and where the balance goes that is in effect the tongue weight. On a side note, does anyone have a really positive number of how much tongue weight they have? I just got my new aluminum trailer and it seems to ride a little heavier, but it could just be how the different trailer is riding. I'm at 534lbs with full gas, no lead, and all my stuff except boards, which usually go in the truck anyways.

[jwanck11]

My understanding is to level the trailer and measure from ground to hitch (to the top of the hitch where the ball will rest). Then measure from ground to center of the receptacle opening on your tow rig. You can then determine the rise/drop needed.

[Razzman]

My Boatmate states 20" approximately & level.

[Matt Garcia]

Ya I was just curious what everyone had to say. Judging by the eye the trailer is level however I haven't busted out a level yet.

[Razzman]

What kills me is when we go camping, load the bed and there goes all stability! Shoulda got a 3/4" ton!

[Joeprunc]

Ya I was just curious what everyone had to say. Judging by the eye the trailer is level however I haven't busted out a level yet.

With a level you still have to compare it to the ground. You can use a tape to measure to points between the ground and trailer...then calculate the slope.

I've got the same problem with my trucks rear end sagging with the more weight I have. I just re did the suspension on my truck (Camburg coilovers up front, and OME Dakar rear leafs) so hope it will do a bit better this year. Originally I was looking at air ride support, but since I off road my truck I didn't want the axle droop to be limited by air bags. So I installed some of these to help with towing. They are just larger, softer axle bump stops to help out when your truck is loaded up.

[Razzman]

I put the Timbren on last year, they helped a bit but not enough. If i weight the bed withe camping gear and loaded coolers it sits level but still pogos ocer rough roads or bumps. I'm pulling them and installing air bags, what i shoulda done in the first place considering how much those over blown bumpers were!

[Jason B]

I put air-bag helpers on my truck. those were the best upgrade I ever made. Loads super heavy--add air, loads small--remove air... they work like a champ! Mr. Cop was a little pissed that I put the fill valves poking through my rear license plate, but screw him, that was the only place I could access them without drilling through massive steel plates. A little air and the load is leveled wonderfully.

[Timmy!]

Why was a cop mad that you put them through the license plates? That's always where I've put them for airshocks and airbags.

[Jason B]

Why was a cop mad that you put them through the license plates? That's always where I've put them for airshocks and airbags.

Because when he was in school people used to pick on him and now he has a badge and a light bar so it's payback time...
Seriously though, not sure, he said it was not legal for whatever reason but he "did me a favor" by not giving me a ticket for that also.

[mtnsmith]

I know someone that got in trouble for putting a parking permit sticker on his plate, at the very bottm, about 1" square, the cop said it is illegal to put anything on the license plate because it could make it illegible and then enforcement can't read the plate. I guess drilling holes in the license plate other than what is there is probably illegal in some states.

[Timmy!]

You don't have to drill a hole in your plate to put those on though, the shrader valve just goes through the existing hole in the plate and you use a nut to fasten it, most people don't even notice anything out of the ordinary.

[mtnsmith]

I see what you mean now, not thinking very well this morning. My truck uses all 4 holes so I was thinking he would have had to drill through the plate, I still feel it is dumb to get a ticket even if you did drill through the edge of the plate or something not obstructive, I've been pulled over on the motorcycle before for no reason other than to check that my age and license status...and to harass a sport bike rider, which I don't really ride to begin with, it's not a cruiser so I must be a thug!