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Old 06-17-2019, 12:29 AM   #1
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17B tow hitch ball height

Hi there,
Another question for newbie, Anybody can help please? I am unable to get official info of 17B hitch height, some people say 17" some say 19" some say we need to meas. loaded height, really confusing......
Thank you.
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Old 06-17-2019, 01:03 AM   #2
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Maybe this will help. Maybe not.
When I picked up my 17B, Reace installed the weight distribution hitch. He adjusted it to the trailer and the tow vehicle.
He measured the distance from the hitch to a piece of 1X6 on the ground. Then he dropped the trailer onto the ball and measured again, determining that the vehicle dropped two inches.

My point being, that you need to do some measurements with the actual trailer and tow vehicle and hitch ball to know what needs to be adjusted and how much.
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Old 06-17-2019, 01:13 AM   #3
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Here is a direct quote from Tammy for my 17b from 2 years ago:

"The ball height is 18”. This means the trailer will ride level when the top of the ball measures 18” from the ground with the trailer loaded."

And I believe you should typically expect about 1" of drop when going from an unloaded vehicle to a loaded vehicle, so your ball height should be around 19" when unloaded, but this will depend on the specifics of the vehicle and your tongue weight. I think my vehicle for instance drops a little more than 1" when loaded.
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Old 06-17-2019, 04:06 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mirage99 View Post
Hi there,
Another question for newbie, Anybody can help please? I am unable to get official info of 17B hitch height, some people say 17" some say 19" some say we need to meas. loaded height, really confusing......
Thank you.
My solution to the same question. Different model, but the same issue.

https://www.etrailer.com/Ball-Mounts...w/MT70380.html

After loading the trailer for the first time, I made the final height adjustment. Plus, as you can see, the ball is not attached with a nut so it simply can’t come off as we saw happen in a recent thread.

Enjoy your travels.

Ed
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Old 06-17-2019, 06:00 AM   #5
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True Ed but always check the retaining pins as they can wear and snap
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Old 06-17-2019, 11:15 PM   #6
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Smile

Quote:
Originally Posted by gbaglo View Post
Maybe this will help. Maybe not.
When I picked up my 17B, Reace installed the weight distribution hitch. He adjusted it to the trailer and the tow vehicle.
He measured the distance from the hitch to a piece of 1X6 on the ground. Then he dropped the trailer onto the ball and measured again, determining that the vehicle dropped two inches.

My point being, that you need to do some measurements with the actual trailer and tow vehicle and hitch ball to know what needs to be adjusted and how much.
Thank you very much, it helps.
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Old 06-17-2019, 11:21 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by paulk View Post
Here is a direct quote from Tammy for my 17b from 2 years ago:

"The ball height is 18”. This means the trailer will ride level when the top of the ball measures 18” from the ground with the trailer loaded."

And I believe you should typically expect about 1" of drop when going from an unloaded vehicle to a loaded vehicle, so your ball height should be around 19" when unloaded, but this will depend on the specifics of the vehicle and your tongue weight. I think my vehicle for instance drops a little more than 1" when loaded.
Thanks Paul. My meas. of ball top to ground on my unloaded vehicle is either 17" or 20" on drop or rise, pretty close to 18". If loaded makes 1+" it may be ok from 20" down to 18-19", hopefully it works well.
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Old 06-17-2019, 11:23 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EdColorado View Post
My solution to the same question. Different model, but the same issue.

https://www.etrailer.com/Ball-Mounts...w/MT70380.html

After loading the trailer for the first time, I made the final height adjustment. Plus, as you can see, the ball is not attached with a nut so it simply can’t come off as we saw happen in a recent thread.

Enjoy your travels.

Ed
Thank you Ed
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Old 06-18-2019, 09:58 AM   #9
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If the trailer has the high lift axle option or different tire sizes, it will change the coupler height.
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Old 06-18-2019, 03:53 PM   #10
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Before I picked up my trailer, I called and asked this very same question. They gave me a measurement. With my adjustable hitch, the closest position was between 1/2 to a 3/4 high. When I went to ETI, the worker raised my hitch another inch and a half. After picking it up at Sumas, the trailer rode high. Having a F250 with a cargo rating of around 3400 pounds, the drop when the trailer is hitched up is less than an inch and that was with 4 adults and a lot of stuff in the bed of the truck. So when we got to Fort Worden State Park that evening, I lowered the hitch. The point is, don't assume they will get it right.
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Old 06-18-2019, 06:56 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jack L View Post
If the trailer has the high lift axle option or different tire sizes, it will change the coupler height.
Thanks Jack, I have not order the high lift axle option
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Old 06-18-2019, 07:03 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by James Gang View Post
Before I picked up my trailer, I called and asked this very same question. They gave me a measurement. With my adjustable hitch, the closest position was between 1/2 to a 3/4 high. When I went to ETI, the worker raised my hitch another inch and a half. After picking it up at Sumas, the trailer rode high. Having a F250 with a cargo rating of around 3400 pounds, the drop when the trailer is hitched up is less than an inch and that was with 4 adults and a lot of stuff in the bed of the truck. So when we got to Fort Worden State Park that evening, I lowered the hitch. The point is, don't assume they will get it right.
So it seems the loaded vehicle drop could be different. I guess usually it drops about 1" and half but not always. Thank you for the info
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