When towing a trailer, the heights between the vehicle and trailer usually differ - so a Ball Mount with a drop or rise is needed. But how do you determine what size you need? Our team has answered the most common questions when trying to find the correct ball mount below:

1) What is required to determine the correct drop or rise of the ball mount?

• Distance from the ground to the bottom of the trailer coupler A
• Distance from the ground to the top I.D. of the receiver tube opening B
• The difference between the two measurements will determine the size of drop or rise needed

2) How to determine or measure the length of the ball mount?

• This is the distance from the center of the ball hole to the center of the pin hole
• This length determines how much clearance is available between the vehicle and the trailer
  
   

3) How to determine or measure the drop required?

• A “drop” is required when the hitch height is greater than the trailer height
• A “drop” is the distance from the top of the shank to the top of the ball platform
   
   

4) How to determine or measure the rise required?

• A “rise” is required when the trailer height is greater than the hitch height
• A “rise” is the distance from the top of the shank to the top of the ball platform
   
   

Now that we have determined how to get the drop or rise needed, you need to make sure the ballmount you have is suitable for the class of hitch you've purchased. Like a trailer hitch, Ball Mounts come in classes.

Class I Ball Mounts: When purchasing a Class I trailer hitch, the ballmount is usually included. It is recommended that the ball mount included with the hitch is used. All Class I trailer hitches are tested and rated with the specific ball mount for that hitch.

Class II Ball Mounts: When purchasing a class II trailer hitch, the ballmount is usually included. It is recommended that the ball mount included with the hitch is used. All Class II trailer hitches are tested and rated with the specific ball mount for that hitch.

Class III Ball Mounts: Class III ball mounts and hitches are rated to tow up to 6,000lbs GTW and will work with trailer hitches that have a 2" opening.

Class IV Ball Mounts: Class IV ball mounts and hitches are rated to tow up to 12,000lbs GTW and will work with trailer hitches that have a 2" opening.

Class V Ball Mounts: Class V ball mounts and hitches are rated to tow 12,000-15,00lbs GTW and will work with trailer hitches that have a 2.5" opening.

Follow the link to view our selection of Ball Mounts , and use our Trailer Hitch Search to find a trailer hitch if you don't already have one.

We hope this article could be of great help - if you need any help looking up a ball mount or trailer hitch please contact our team via Live Chat, Email, Or call 800-300-4067