Ball height/towing angle

[Mrspanky]

2022 242BHS, Equalizer 10k hitch, 2013 F150 ext cab..tongue weight 920 lbs @ 6200 gross (cat scale), hitch adjusted so that truck fwd fender height is 1/8" higher than unloaded.

My question is about ball height. I need to be between settings on the shank to sit perfectly level. My choices are .5" too high or 1" too low relative to perfectly level. I have it set up 1" too low currently...is that the right choice?

[16WhiteColly]

It’s preferred to be a hair low with what you have, but you can go either way.

[Route 66 Traveler]

The instructions for my WDH (e2Fastway) says it’s better for the ball to be a bit too high than too low. My trailer hitch connector sits right at 24 inches when level, the ball is 24 1/2 to 25 inches depending what’s in the bed.

[curver900]

1/2 inch high over 1 inch low...

[ultrarider]

Throw another large cooler of ice and beer at the tailgate. That should drop it a half inch

[Riich]

Originally Posted by Mrspanky

2022 242BHS, Equalizer 10k hitch, 2013 F150 ext cab..tongue weight 920 lbs @ 6200 gross (cat scale), hitch adjusted so that truck fwd fender height is 1/8" higher than unloaded.

I'll go out on a limb here regarding this setup.

I question how, with a tongue weight of 920#, that you get the front of a F150 fender height back to within 1/8" of unloaded. I compare to my setup, same hitch weight and a GMC 1500, and there is no way I could do that without really loading up the bars and stressing the whole hitch setup. I recovered half my front fender lift (loaded vs unloaded) with my Equalizer. I had 3/4" lift without equalizing, and when I finished my setup I had 3/8". And I think my bars are tight now. But my rig is level and handling is great.

I personally think you should set your hitch 1/2" high, take a little stress off your bars, and your trailer will be level. The cat scale guys will jump in here, and if you have access that would obviously help you out with your setup. You mentioned cat for total weight, maybe you've already done this for your hitch setup.

On the other hand, if you are happy with your setup and confident it was done properly, disregard my opinion.

Best of of luck to you, and happy camping.

[Midnightmoon]

Just to clarify, are you noting the height with the trailer on the hitch or before you load it? I've always attempted to end up with the trailer slightly nose down when everything is hitched and loaded.

[Mrspanky]

The heights are with everything loaded. As far as how I got it back to within 1/8 of unloaded....

Had 6 washers in the equalizer head and went to the cat scale. This was set up to get at least half the front fender rise back per the Ford manual. I was showing -125 lbs compared to unloaded on the front axle and was within 50 lbs of rear axle limit. I probably would have left good enough alone if I had a little more room on the rear axle. I went to 7 washers and it got me to the 1/8:number...haven't been back to the scale yet.

Since the rear rose up a bit when I went to 7 washers, the tongue became slightly high (was close to dead level with 6 washers). Now my choice is slightly high or a bit more low.

I mean probably no big deal in the end but can't camp during the work week so might as well ponder this

[mrmom]

The washers in the head should not change the height of the ball, they change the angle of the head/ball/bars relative to the trailer. More washers tilt the bars down at the trailer end. You need to check the angle of the ball relative to the coupler to make sure that your setup doesn't have the ball angled too much inside the coupler. It took me several tries with various combinations to get everything in line and set up properly.

You might want to try less washers and go down one hole on your shank to see if that gets you the same results but with the ball standing up straighter. Just a thought.

[Riich]

Originally Posted by mrmom

The washers in the head should not change the height of the ball

More washers raise the height of the rear of the tow vehicle, hence the ball is higher in relation to the ground. This is what Mrspanky is referring to.

[01tundra]

I'm faced with the same choice on my rig....1/2" high or 1" low while loaded.

I decided on 1/2" high and it's been pulling great for almost a year now.