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Best way to measure proper trailer hitch receiver height??

Tank

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Buying a beefier hitch and ball since I recently discovered I've been pulling for YEARS with underrated hitch receivers and tow balls. Found a 17k lb receiver and 30k lb rated ball from etrailer. Just need to make sure I measure what drop will be proper for the Cig trailer. I think just keeping it simple on this is the best way to go. Unless anyone has other input this is what I'm looking at getting.

https://www.etrailer.com/p-C45341.html

https://www.etrailer.com/p-C40085.html

Anyone know how to properly measure though? Don't want it too low / too much drop and don't want it too high / bow up and difficult to get off the hitch.
 

FishSniper

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Buying a beefier hitch and ball since I recently discovered I've been pulling for YEARS with underrated hitch receivers and tow balls. Found a 17k lb receiver and 30k lb rated ball from etrailer. Just need to make sure I measure what drop will be proper for the Cig trailer. I think just keeping it simple on this is the best way to go. Unless anyone has other input this is what I'm looking at getting.

https://www.etrailer.com/p-C45341.html

https://www.etrailer.com/p-C40085.html

Anyone know how to properly measure though? Don't want it too low / too much drop and don't want it too high / bow up and difficult to get off the hitch.
https://www.bulletproofhitches.com/pages/what-size-hitch-do-i-need
 

Blackmagic94

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The way I did my cig was I put my old hitch and loaded it with the cig and then measured where I wanted it to sit at and ordered from there.
 

outboard_256

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I usually measure the old fashion way with a tape measure. But lately been trying out the measure app on my iPhone and its been pretty accurate. I always double check with a tape measure as I don't trust it that much.
 

DWC

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Trailer on...Boat trailer should be level. I measure front and back with a tape, and raise or lower ball to get the correct position! :)

This^^^. Drop a level on the trailer to check it out.
 

Tank

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I guess part of the problem is I was looking at solid shank receivers and just needed to measure what drop to order. I should just get a nice adjustable, then I really wont have to measure before I buy. Found a nice Curt that'll work for a great price.

Thanks for all the responses...And texts :D;)
 

JD D05

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I guess part of the problem is I was looking at solid shank receivers and just needed to measure what drop to order. I should just get a nice adjustable, then I really wont have to measure before I buy. Found a nice Curt that'll work for a great price.

Thanks for all the responses...And texts :D;)

I am not a fan of anything adjustable towing that heavy.
 

Tank

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I am not a fan of anything adjustable towing that heavy.
Yea, that was kinda my thinking too but these newer steel adjustable are rated freakin' high and you see some serious heavy duty stuff being hauled with them with out crazy failure stories. Must work right?
 

Flying_Lavey

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This^^^. Drop a level on the trailer to check it out.
Don't use a level on a trailer unless you have a 30+ foot long bar level to check the ground the trailer is sitting on. As other have said, use a tape on the front and rear of the main beams. You want parallel, not necessarily level.
I guess part of the problem is I was looking at solid shank receivers and just needed to measure what drop to order. I should just get a nice adjustable, then I really wont have to measure before I buy. Found a nice Curt that'll work for a great price.

Thanks for all the responses...And texts :D;)
I bought an adjustable Curt that I am very happy with. All steel and very heavy gauge for the adjustment plates.

Sent from my LM-G710VM using Tapatalk
 

JD D05

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Yea, that was kinda my thinking too but these newer steel adjustable are rated freakin' high and you see some serious heavy duty stuff being hauled with them with out crazy failure stories. Must work right?

Ya I doubt you would have any issues, but I see the welds on trailers break often that the bow of the boat rests on...It seems most those adjustable hitches have welds. I just prefer to avoid that I guess.
 

ka0tyk

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Double and triple axle trailers its gotta be parallel/level or you're gonna be putting a bunch of weight on the forward or rear axle and cause wear/heat. Plus allows it to track properly.

With the tow vehicle parked on level ground, measure from the ground to the top of your hitch receiver opening. With the trailer level, measure from the ground to the bottom of the coupler. Find the difference between the two measurements.

calculate_the_drop.jpg
 

Crazyhippy

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Double and triple axle trailers its gotta be parallel/level or you're gonna be putting a bunch of weight on the forward or rear axle and cause wear/heat. Plus allows it to track properly.

With the tow vehicle parked on level ground, measure from the ground to the top of your hitch receiver opening. With the trailer level, measure from the ground to the bottom of the coupler. Find the difference between the two measurements.

calculate_the_drop.jpg


This isn't accounting for the truck sagging when you hook up the big ass trailer...

I recommend hooking it up with what you have now, measuring the front and back of the trailer to figure out how far out of level you are currently, and adjusting from there... As an added bonus, the boat is now hooked up and ready to go make some noise!
 

Flying_Lavey

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Double and triple axle trailers its gotta be parallel/level or you're gonna be putting a bunch of weight on the forward or rear axle and cause wear/heat. Plus allows it to track properly.

With the tow vehicle parked on level ground, measure from the ground to the top of your hitch receiver opening. With the trailer level, measure from the ground to the bottom of the coupler. Find the difference between the two measurements.

calculate_the_drop.jpg
The problem with that method is it doesn't account for squat of the truck when the trailer is hooked up. You can do that and then put the trailer on the truck using whichever hitch and measure the receiver height again, subtract the squated height from the unloaded height, then take that number and subtract it from the original height difference from the trailer to the truck receiver.

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Flying_Lavey

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This isn't accounting for the truck sagging when you hook up the big ass trailer...

I recommend hooking it up with what you have now, measuring the front and back of the trailer to figure out how far out of level you are currently, and adjusting from there... As an added bonus, the boat is now hooked up and ready to go make some noise!
Your thumbs were faster than mine.... Lol!

Sent from my LM-G710VM using Tapatalk
 

84miller

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If it is not dragging behind the truck or the back of the trailer....you are good to go....
 

rivermobster

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I was taught that the Top of the ball was supposed to be 18 inches off the ground.

That's the height (most) trailers are built for.

It's worked for me every time so far.
 

Guest06

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I got no answer to your question, but will review your purchase. I went with the 2.5” Curt when i bought my truck a few years ago and love it, being the balls nut was so big i didn’t want to mess with it so bought a complete second setup one for 2” other for 2 5/16” Amazon was the best price shipped but that was a few years ago. Believe i paid about 140$ for both hitches balls and the lock.
 

Tank

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I got no answer to your question, but will review your purchase. I went with the 2.5” Curt when i bought my truck a few years ago and love it, being the balls nut was so big i didn’t want to mess with it so bought a complete second setup one for 2” other for 2 5/16” Amazon was the best price shipped but that was a few years ago. Believe i paid about 140$ for both hitches balls and the lock.

Yea, I’m digging the curt adjustable. Good reviews, high rating, good price.
 

lbhsbz

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You want equal load on all axles...

Hang it on the truck with what you have and measure the height off the ground, then jack it up/add fat guys to the truck bed until it’s level, measure the difference, apply that to your current drop, order new one.
 
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