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Old 02-28-2015, 06:48 PM   #1
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Drop for a 2" Ball - 2015 F150 4X2

Hey ya'll, anyone with a 2WD F150 should be able to answer this one. I need to pick up a 2" Ball and extension but I'm not sure of the drop. If you tow with a 2WD F150 can you tell me what drop I should get? I'm thinking 3 1/2" or 4" but not sure. Thanks in advance.
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Old 02-28-2015, 07:58 PM   #2
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For a 17A/B the top of the ball should be 19" above the ground. Measure from there. I'd be surprised of the 19 is all that different except, of course, you have the raised axle and bigger tires
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Old 02-28-2015, 08:23 PM   #3
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For a 17A/B the top of the ball should be 19" above the ground. Measure from there. I'd be surprised of the 19 is all that different except, of course, you have the raised axle and bigger tires
Yes, I looked back at several threads and it looks like ETI recommends a ball height of 19 to 20 inches. I'd probably go with 20 because the tongue weight would drop it a little. Was just trying to calculate the stinger drop to achieve that, or what other F150 2WD owners have used to achieve that, since I don't have the truck yet.
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Old 02-28-2015, 09:20 PM   #4
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Yes, I looked back at several threads and it looks like ETI recommends a ball height of 19 to 20 inches. I'd probably go with 20 because the tongue weight would drop it a little. Was just trying to calculate the stinger drop to achieve that, or what other F150 2WD owners have used to achieve that, since I don't have the truck yet.
Kim told us 20 in ground to top of ball is what we needed to end up with .Pat
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Old 02-28-2015, 10:22 PM   #5
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I would visit a dealership and measure to the top of the receiver opening on a functionally identical truck... but to some extent that's just an excuse to poke around the vehicles.

To be valid, the reference truck needs to be a 2015 2WD F-150 with the same payload/GVWR package (because that may change the springs) and same tires.
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Old 02-28-2015, 10:29 PM   #6
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If you're getting a typical plain ball steel ball mount, they're in stock in stores so you could just wait for the day you pick up the trailer, but I know it's tough to wait!

If you're getting something less common (I like the idea of the Andersen Alumistinger or similar) you might need more lead time.
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Old 03-01-2015, 02:09 AM   #7
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This place is about a mile away from Escape ( and O'Connor RV is across the street ). They cater to trucks and towing.
Trademasters Automotive
http://vehiclesolutions.ca/
44467 Yale Rd, Chilliwack, BC V2R 4H2
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Old 03-01-2015, 05:15 AM   #8
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You will end up with at least 2 or 3 of these, I have probably 1/2 dozen in my garage. After loading and the suspension sets in it will change. Get yourself an adjustable one, or one of each height, they are not that expensive and you will have a spare if needed.
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Old 03-01-2015, 07:29 AM   #9
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My 4X4 2013 F150 uses a 2" drop stinger with the ball mounted on top. Should give you an idea.
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Old 03-01-2015, 07:35 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gbaglo View Post
This place is about a mile away from Escape ( and O'Connor RV is across the street ). They cater to trucks and towing.
Trademasters Automotive
Trademasters
44467 Yale Rd, Chilliwack, BC V2R 4H2
good to know....
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Old 03-01-2015, 09:27 AM   #11
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You will end up with at least 2 or 3 of these, I have probably 1/2 dozen in my garage. After loading and the suspension sets in it will change. Get yourself an adjustable one, or one of each height, they are not that expensive and you will have a spare if needed.
Yeah, I suppose I could get a 4" drop/3" rise and a 2" drop/1" rise. That would cover most scenarios. I like the idea of the adjustable height mounts but I'm wondering if there are any issues with tailgate clearance when hitched up. Some of the adjustable height ones don't appear to extend as far.
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Old 03-01-2015, 09:56 AM   #12
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I ended up with one of these because the shorter the stinger the stronger it is. Jack-E-Up
http://www.amazon.com/Jack-E-Up-Blac...ords=jack+e+up
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Old 03-01-2015, 11:12 AM   #13
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Kim told us 20 in ground to top of ball is what we needed to end up with .Pat
We have Firestone air bags on truck . Still have not needed to adjust . Pat
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Old 03-01-2015, 11:13 AM   #14
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Kim told us 20 in ground to top of ball is what we needed to end up with .Pat
We also have a 19ft with a Ford truck
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Old 03-01-2015, 11:52 AM   #15
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We also have a 19ft with a Ford truck
Pat, what's the drop on your stinger?
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Old 03-01-2015, 12:20 PM   #16
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I like the idea of the adjustable height mounts but I'm wondering if there are any issues with tailgate clearance when hitched up. Some of the adjustable height ones don't appear to extend as far.
I have the opposite situation: to minimize the lever arm length of the hitch, I want the shortest extension of the ball mount. One reason for me to avoid adjustable mounts is that they are longer than typical fixed mounts.

I like the idea of having one adjustable mount to handle whatever towing situation happens to come up, but I still don't have one. Aside from the length, another reason I would rather not use one normally is that they add another point for free play and rattling. They vary in design, of course.
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Old 03-01-2015, 12:25 PM   #17
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Yeah Brian the more I look at them I like the Alumistinger. Aluminum truck, aluminum stinger...lol
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Old 03-01-2015, 12:28 PM   #18
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Rob,
Your plate should say "No Mags" or "Mag Free"
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Old 03-01-2015, 12:36 PM   #19
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Rob,
Your plate should say "No Mags" or "Mag Free"
Cool! A variation on Steve's "no generators".
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Old 03-01-2015, 01:09 PM   #20
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Aluminum truck, aluminum stinger...lol
I hadn't even thought of that!

The Andersen page for the Alumistinger helpfully lists other manufacturers of similar fixed-drop solid aluminum mounts:
The Fastway design looks bizarrely like it is constructed like a typical fabricated steel mount, with a bent plate platform welded to a 2" square bar - I don't know why anyone would do this, rather than casting, machining, or forging the desired shape as the others all do.

Adjustable mounts are also available in aluminum.
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