Hitch height q: 7.5 inch difference

[SylviaW]

Have a question about which ball mount (shaft) to buy.

Prepping my TV, a 2007 Tahoe, for picking up a new 145RB on Tuesday.

Basic hookup; no weight distributing hitch.

I plan to buy a mount and a 2" ball, and mount on my Tahoe receiver before I drive the hour to the dealer's. They'll install the brake controller and a 2-LP-tank tray.

The top of the receiver on my Tahoe (see pic) is about 23.5" off the ground (unloaded; I'll have just one occupant, me, and I'm under 125 pounds soaking wet).

The ball will add about 2" height, putting the top of the ball at about 25.5" off the ground.

The dealer tells me that "the trailer measures 18” to the top of the ball when level" (unloaded, again) (see other pic).

So I have about a 7.5-inch difference to overcome.

(Did I figure all that right? Newbie.)

Buy a mount with an 8-inch drop? Or would 6-inch be better, meaning the trailer would be a bit nose-up?

Thanks.

[rabalin]

My guess with you adding a tank, I would go with a 6 inch drop after you add gear in the Tahoe it will drop and drop more when you hook up the trailer. Level is best, nose up a little is ok, nose down is not good. If you knew how much gear you were adding to the Tahoe and could measure it then you would be closer to the drop you need.

[ALJO]

My advise before you buy a 6 or 9" drop go to your dealer they have them in stock too and will install them for you. It will avoid a disappointment if it is not the right choice.

[Paintinfool3]

True Aljo for me I bought an adjustable drop from u haul with 1 inch adjusting increments and the double ball That way depending on which trailer I am hauling either my boat or my car trailer I can adjust height and which ball to make it work.

[DanNJanice]

Originally Posted by rabalin

My guess with you adding a tank, I would go with a 6 inch drop after you add gear in the Tahoe it will drop and drop more when you hook up the trailer. Level is best, nose up a little is ok, nose down is not good. If you knew how much gear you were adding to the Tahoe and could measure it then you would be closer to the drop you need.

My understanding is the slightly nose down (rather than slightly nose up) is OK.

[SylviaW]

Thanks, rabalin and ALJO.

Paintinfool3, I have seen elsewhere here that U-Haul is a good supplier of rare mounts. Thanks. Which model do you have?

[Paintinfool3]

The problem with nose down comes in when braking. The surge downward of the nose when braking would make the front of the truck lighten which isn't good

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by DanNJanice

My understanding is the slightly nose down (rather than slightly nose up) is OK.

I would have to agree......, a loaded TT towing with tongue (nose) level or slightly down will enhance the TV's handling during a sway event and/or hard braking event.

Bob

[Subaru297]

+1

Nose slightly down or level is preferred. Nose up can result in an unstable trailer.

I would probably go with the 6 inch drop.

[Cookie12254]

What size mount did you buy? I'm interested....we are getting ready to buy one for our 145RB also to tow with our F150. With the measurements we figured we would need an 8" drop also. Did you go with the 8" or 6"?

[SylviaW]

Hi, Cookie, instead of doing myself, I went with the RV dealer's recommendation -- I was there to have trailer brake controller installed in my Tahoe anyway -- and got the 8" drop:

Reese Class III, IV Hitch Ball Mount 21347.

It's working out great.

[Cookie12254]

Thanks Sylvia. I thought when I was looking there were different heights for the ball too?

[SylviaW]

Cookie, as far as I know (others here will correct me if I'm wrong), balls have only one variable and that's the diameter. Our trailer takes a 2 inch ball.

[33 RLDS]

Ball stud length and diameter another variable.

[Cookie12254]

It's so confusing to me!