Hitch height

[laurah]

I have an 2016 f150 and am trying to buy the ball and part that connects to receiver for it. The receiver on the truck is about 18-19" off the ground. For a 21' will I need the connection to rise or drop? Thanks in advance

[cpaharley2008]

I suggest you get an adjustable one. That way it can be set exactly the height. For some reasons my fixed ones are always a little to high or too low, I may have at least 4 from other other trailers. Sometimes the trailer is heavier than normal due to loading or not enough water in the fresh tank, all will impact level height as well as your truck's suspension. With all thee variables, I now use an adjustable one. Go to ETrailer for details.

[BCnomad]

Originally Posted by laurah

I have an 2016 f150 and am trying to buy the ball and part that connects to receiver for it. The receiver on the truck is about 18-19" off the ground. For a 21' will I need the connection to rise or drop? Thanks in advance

While Jim is not wrong, let's take a couple steps back.


I believe ETI has some stingers for sale, or it's a quick run to a store with one. Dennis will never let you leave with improper gear, based on what he sees. A quick call to ETI will clear up any questions




Second, a standard stinger is a 2" drop with a 2" ball. For full size pick ups. My personal set up is the one with the ball welded on, not bolted on.


Ford guys??

[Rossue]

Here's a short & sweet method from Curt:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dgmo5w7ddVw

[War Eagle]

Your setup may vary, but just as an example, the coupler height on our 2017 Escape 21' is 19". For our 2016 F-150 XLT Fx4 Crewcab, towing package, 7000# payload option, a Brinks Fusion ball mount (ball welded to mount) with 2" drop levels things perfectly for us for the way we load our 21' when under tow. Just as an example.... Dale

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by BCnomad

While Jim is not wrong, let's take a couple steps back.


I believe ETI has some stingers for sale, or it's a quick run to a store with one. Dennis will never let you leave with improper gear, based on what he sees. A quick call to ETI will clear up any questions




Second, a standard stinger is a 2" drop with a 2" ball. For full size pick ups. My personal set up is the one with the ball welded on, not bolted on.


Ford guys??

Interesting, I'm using a 4" drop and it is still 1" too high, why would my truck sit that much higher than yours, even loaded with "stuff"? I do have air bags but they should just keep thing level, not impact drop distance?

[BCnomad]

We will have to compare notes at the rally.

[Mike & Donna]

Originally Posted by War Eagle

Your setup may vary, but just as an example, the coupler height on our 2017 Escape 21' is 19". For our 2016 F-150 XLT Fx4 Crewcab, towing package, 7000# payload option, a Brinks Fusion ball mount (ball welded to mount) with 2" drop levels things perfectly for us for the way we load our 21' when under tow. Just as an example.... Dale

My 2016 F150 Supercrew XLT with trailer tow package and 18 inch rims 6250# gvwr has a receiver height of 17.75 inches. Funny how they vary. I will be towing the Escape 19. So seems like you will find quite a bit of variation in receiver height . I plan on waiting till I get to Chilliwack to make sure I get the proper drop. Of course depending on how the truck and camper are loaded I would assume those numbers could change.

[Fox hunt]

My highlander and trailer were perfect level - but my truck is much higher I measured the top of my car receiver compared to my truck it was 5 inches lower so I bought a stinger with an adjustable drop. Hoping it works ok I only need to to get me to the rally at the end of the month because I'm selling the 17 and getting the fifth wheel.

[laurah]

The receiver on my truck was about 18 1/2" off the ground. I called ETI and we decided the 2" drop for starters. If it's not right I will exchange it. My trailer is being delivered on Monday or Tuesday and the driver is going to use my truck to pull it into the driveway. Geez...There is so much to learn.: Thank you all. I'll let you know how it goes. I got a picture of my trailer on the way to me the other night. Kind of cool.

[BCnomad]

Awesome news! Remember to change your profile here.

[Kountrykamper]

Originally Posted by laurah

The receiver on my truck was about 18 1/2" off the ground. I called ETI and we decided the 2" drop for starters. If it's not right I will exchange it. My trailer is being delivered on Monday or Tuesday and the driver is going to use my truck to pull it into the driveway. Geez...There is so much to learn.: Thank you all. I'll let you know how it goes. I got a picture of my trailer on the way to me the other night. Kind of cool.

Delivery pictures are fun too. Make sure you take a few and post them.

[gudmut]

We purchased a new tow vehicle (2016 F-150) last fall and it was soon after that I came across that informative video from Curt that describes the steps to take to determine the correct drop. I had been using a 2" drop and after viewing the video, I purchased a Christmas present for my wife - a brand new ball mount with a 5&1/4" drop. She was not amused - but got the last laugh a week ago when I tried hitching up the trailer for the first spring outing only to find that the additional 3 plus inches of drop prevented me from being able to sufficiently retract the tongue jack enough to get the wheel caster off the jack. Had to reinstall the 2" mount to make it work. May need to look into an adjustable ball mount.

[laurah]

Thank you everyone. I found out that my trailer will be delivered Thursday. I will try to post some pictures.

[laurah]

To those with F150's do you have a weight distribution hitch?

[War Eagle]

We pull a 2017 21' with a 2016 F-150 Fx4, Crewcab, 5.5' bed and have not felt the need for a WDH - yet. Only temptation so far was when travelling a rolly-polly backroad, wondering if a WDH might smooth out some of the uneven waviness of the road.

[gudmut]

We are towing a 19' 2016 Escape with a 2016 F-150 4X4 supercab and do not have the weight distribution hitch. I feel very comfortable towing with what we have.