Trailer hitch drop question

[apotocki]

I’m looking to buy a 14ft fishing boat.
I haven’t towed before with my Ranger and need to buy a receiver/ball.
I have no idea what drop I should get…..3 inch, 4 inch????
The truck is an FX4 with just a 2.5 inch front level.
Any information is much appreciated.

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[Grumpaw]

You want the top of the ball to be level with the top of the hitch cup on the trailer...
Back truck up to trailer, level trailer...measure from the hitch receiver to top of hitch cup on trailer.
That should give you an estimate of the drop shank you need. You are looking for the trailer to be level, or just a bit nose down.... trailer/boat rig is so light that if the trailer sits a few inches nose down, shouldn't be a problem.

 

[apotocki]

Ok…appreciate that. My dilemma’ is I’ll be picking up the boat from the seller and currently have nothing…..I was thinking about going out and buying a 3 1/4 and a 4 1/4 hoping one of those would work.

 

[Grumpaw]

Your best option to avoid buying several shank sizes/drops is to get something like this...adjustable. Only thing you would need to add is the proper ball size.
This one runs around $100 bucks at Tractor Supply.

 

[Nomadjohn]

Rather than getting multiple hitches you might consider an adjustable height hitch. These are convenient if you tow multiple trailers as well, using a buddies utility trailer for the weekend, just adjust your hitch and go.

If your only choices are fixed drop I'd get the one with the bigger drop knowing I'll have to get something else later.

 

[Grumpaw]

Ok…appreciate that. My dilemma’ is I’ll be picking up the boat from the seller and currently have nothing…..I was thinking about going out and buying a 3 1/4 and a 4 1/4 hoping one of those would work.

Also....contact the seller and just ask him to measure the distance from the ground to the bottom of the coupler when the trailer is level. You already have the truck so you can measure the distance from ground to top of hitch receiver. The difference will give you the drop.

 

[VAMike]

yeah, there's no way to answer that question without knowing how high the trailer ball sits (every one is different)

 

[apotocki]

Thank you all. Much appreciated

 

[Hethern]

Ok…appreciate that. My dilemma’ is I’ll be picking up the boat from the seller and currently have nothing…..I was thinking about going out and buying a 3 1/4 and a 4 1/4 hoping one of those would work.

I pull a 14ft tandem axle enclosed trailer with a Polaris RZR in it, along with fuel. I use one with just 2" of drop and its perfect.

 

[JACKSMYDOG]

I have a 1&7/8" ball trailer and a 2" ball trailer. I had hitches for my previous truck and instead of replacing them with different heights, and again with my next potential truck I bought a multi-height adapter which can be used in almost any combination.

https://www.amazon.com/GEN-Y-Rebel-...=1685719677&sprefix=gen+y+rebe,aps,96&sr=8-13

 

[Big Blue]

I have a 1&7/8" ball trailer and a 2" ball trailer. I had hitches for my previous truck and instead of replacing them with different heights, and again with my next potential truck I bought a multi-height adapter which can be used in almost any combination.

https://www.amazon.com/GEN-Y-Rebel-Tactical-Hollow-Shank/dp/B08XBT3X4F/ref=sr_1_13?crid=2XOZIKDO9NZVW&keywords=gen+y+rebel+x&qid=1685719677&sprefix=gen+y+rebe,aps,96&sr=8-13

You just made @ControlNode so happy. Suprised he hasn't chimed in here yet.

 

[ControlNode]

You just made @ControlNode so happy. Suprised he hasn't chimed in here yet.

I guess I'm forgetting something I said that would make you think that.

 

[Big Blue]

I guess I'm forgetting something I said that would make you think that.

Aren't you the one always pushing GenY hitches or did I mix you up with someone else.

 

[Big Blue]

Aren't you the one always pushing GenY hitches or did I mix you up with someone else.

Sorry, I quess it was @Cabose-1 I was thinking of.

 

[CB750F]

I bought a 4" drop one to pull a u-haul car trailer, worked fine.
I was in a bit of a rush but should have bought something like
@Grumpaw mentioned.

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