Hitch ball height????

[ralphieboy]

I am close to making an order for a 13 footer SCAMP... my tow vehicle is a Jeep JK 09' two door. According to SCAMP I need to have a hitch ball height of "approx. 18 inches".
Measuring my receiver height I get 17 5/8 inches from the bottom surface of the interior on the receiver.
I think the measurement of the 18 inches is at the top of the ball????
Before I buy a hitch ball etc. do I get one with an offset lower? or just straight out and be over 18 inches?
At this point I can only imagine that the top of the ball would be just under 20 inches????
How critical is this?
Is higher better than lower hitch height?
With the weight of the SCAMP on the hitch... I am sure the height would be reduced...
I just want to do it right!
Ralph & Peggy

[Martins HeirCon]

It can get a bit confusing, knowing what and where to measure and whether both parties to the conversation are on the same page. Read this article for a good primer:

https://www.etrailer.com/faq-ballmount.aspx


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[ralphieboy]

Originally Posted by Martins HeirCon

It can get a bit confusing, knowing what and where to measure and whether both parties to the conversation are on the same page. Read this article for a good primer:

https://www.etrailer.com/faq-ballmount.aspx


Sent from my iPhone using Fiberglass RV

Thanks Glenn...
Exactly what I was looking for!

[Martins HeirCon]

For a more direct answer, I think I'd start with a straight ball mount- no drop. Well, there I go confusing the issue. It would actually be called a 2"drop or 3/4"rise I think.
I have several different trailers and tow vehicles and a box full of balls and mounts. Never do the math, just trial and error!


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[sokhapkin]

Originally Posted by ralphieboy

Is higher better than lower hitch height?

Lower is better than higher. Nose diving trailer is much less prone to sway.

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by sokhapkin

Lower is better than higher. Nose diving trailer is much less prone to sway.

I will second that. Always a way better tow to have it set a bit lower than higher - especially with our light trailers. Keep in mind that your tug *may* drop 1/2 an inch or maybe more when you hook the trailer up.

[Wayne Collins]

Basically, you want the trailer to sit level, or slightly nose down when hitched and fully loaded.

Just as important, to reduce trailer sway, or the tail wagging the dog, you need to make sure the ball mount (drawbar) to receiver connection is tight with no play, and the coupler to ball connection should be snug. Test the latter by taking the ball and ball mount off the tug, and latching it into the trailer coupler.
Adjust the nut under the coupler for a snug fit.
AND, always apply grease to the ball before traveling any distance.

[Borden]

Ours is set at 18" to top of ball as that set trailer level. On level ground we leveled trailer and measured the ground to inside top of hitch ball area. Setup car to that height without trailer. Then use the WD system to make it all level when hooked up rides like a dream. Hope this is of some help every trailer year and type will have it's own height.