All About Towing your vehicle

(Written by  Sue Monroe)

Towing a Vehicle - Before attaching a trailer to your vehicle it is best to determine the
correct height to tow the trailer.  A ball mount is an insert that attaches to the hitch that is
installed on the vehicle.  Ball mounts vary by weight rating, shank length and rise/drop.
Sometimes your trailer towing needs may be ion a drop position, otter times it may
require a rise position.  To determine the correct height, place the vehicle on level surface
and measure from the ground to the top of the receiver opening on the trailer hitch.  Then
measure the trailer coupler form the ground to the bottom edge of the trailer’s coupler.  If
the hitch height is greater than the coupler height, the difference is the drop that is
required.  If the coupler height is greater than the difference is the rise that is required.

A hitch ball is also important.  The hitch ball is attached to the ball mount and is critical
when it come to towing.  Some important facts to consider is, ball diameter, shank
diameter, shank length, and capacity.  The ball diameter is determined by the size of the
coupler on the trailer.  There are 1-7/8 inch ball, 2 inch ball, and 2-5/16 inch balls.
Trailers over 5,000 pounds generally have a 2-5/16 inch coupler.  It is important to
identify the correct size by looking on the coupler.  Shank diameter are 3/4 inch, 1 inch,
and 1-1/4 inches.  Class I and II hitches that have 1-1/4 inch ball mounts have a 3/4 inch
shank diameter, while Class III hitches have a 1 inch shank diameter.  Weight
Distribution and larger applications have a 1-1/4 inch shank diameter.  Shank length
determines how long the ball is from where it attaches to the ball mount.  Capacity of
each ball is marked on the ball.  Be sure to always use a lock washer and tighten nut with
a torque wrench to proper torque.  Never exceed the ratings on the hitch, bumper, coupler
or any component in the towing setup regardless if the ball is rated higher than any of
these items.  Hitch balls come in different options such as zinc, chrome, and stainless
steel.  There are also interchangable ball options available.