Hitch Ball Height

[pkgman51]

The bottom of the hitch receptacle on my Chevy Tahoe is 22” from the ground. I think Escape recommends 19-, or 20”, to the top of the ball. Should I consider that the hitch receptacle could be a little lower when the vehicle is packed with travel supplies, when shopping for a hitch that would get me to the correct ball height? I know the hitch bars are available in different degrees of offset. How critical is it that the ball height is exactly at the Escape recommendation. Which side to error on, too high or too low?
Thanks,
Gary

[Donna D.]

Side on a bit low. Towing hitch high may cause some sway issues. But being as close to level as possible is always the best. Can you turn the stinger over and remount the ball with new washers? I did that on my Scamp when I went from 14" to 15" tires.

[dbailey]

Also, if it's a tandem axle you're pulling, ball height has a big impact on tongue weight. Too low and you shift the trailer weight onto the front axle, which shifts the effective axle location forward, which lowers tongue weight. Too high and your rear suspension takes most of the load which raises tongue weight.

Now from a safety point of view, you want high tongue weight which you can get by raising the tongue. But to reduce sway, you want to lower the tongue. So it's contradictory, and difficult to quantify tongue height relative to safety.

Level is best. Get yourself a stinger that, when under load, positions the ball at a height that keeps your trailer level.

[Jim Bennett]

If you go with a ball height of about 20" without the trailer, you will be fine. Loaded it might sink about an inch, all depending on the loading and your tow suspension.

An inch, or even two, off of level will have little impact, but the more you are off, the more affect it will begin to have on hitch weight. Like Donna alluded too, if it gets to high, the weight is reduced potentially causing sway, and too low and you may increase your tongue weight beyond allowable.

Here is a diagram that shows how drop height is determined for your ball mount. A-B=C



After towing for 40 years now, and only recently hearing the latest catch phrase of 'stinger' for a ball mount, it really does sound weird.

[Dave Walter]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

...After towing for 40 years now, and only recently hearing the latest catch phrase of 'stinger' for a ball mount, it really does sound weird.

The term "stinger" was new to me also. Maybe it is a 'south of the border' expression? I suspect the expression was derived from the feeling you get when you walk behind the tow and bang your shins on the ball mount.

[Donna D.]

I think I've always called it a "stinger," and trust me you only bash your shin into the dang thing once. Kinda like a growling dog, you give it a wide berth when walking around it.

[gbaglo]

So what is the proper term for a "stinger"? Ball mount?

[dave macrae]

Or you remove said "Stinger" when unhooked from the trailer. My better half requests that I remove it as soon as we unhook the trailer. Happy wife Happy life so out it comes .

[gbaglo]

Toyota RAV manual advises to remove it when not towing. I think it's to prevent damage to hitch mounting, but that leaves your spare and rear hatch vulnerable ( so I leave mine in ).

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

So what is the proper term for a "stinger"? Ball mount?

Yep siree!

[Donna D.]

Ball mount... yeppers that's the "official" term, especially if you're using Google or search. But for me... that sounds kinda ICKY.

Stinger is descriptive... typically followed by $%^&! when you knock your shin against it... and get grease all over your pant leg.

[Jim Bennett]

Kinda like calling a door a swinger then, eh?

In my business, if I was to call different items and materials we use, by the terminology some customer knows them buy, it would be like learning multiple languages. To avoid confusion by myself, my employees and our subs, we only use the proper terminology with the customers, and they appreciate this for the good reasons we do, and soon learn the talk.

[Ray N]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

Kinda like calling a door a swinger then, eh?

In my business, if I was to call different items and materials we use, by the terminology some customer knows them buy, it would be like learning multiple languages. To avoid confusion by myself, my employees and our subs, we only use the proper terminology with the customers, and they appreciate this for the good reasons we do, and soon learn the talk.

Drywall, wallboard, sheetrock, or gypsum board?

Stinger is new to me too; in our area most people refer to the ball mount as the drawbar.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Ray N

Stinger is new to me too; in our area most people refer to the ball mount as the drawbar.

I have heard drawbar used before too.

[pkgman51]

This is great. I learn so much. I appreciate the passion you all have and your willingness to share your knowledge.

[Brian B-P]

Ball mount is the normal term with clear meaning. Stinger is an informal term which makes sense one it is explained, but to me it just invites confusion... and I'm pretty sure it refers to the insertion of the bar into the receiver, not the pain of hitting it. Drawbar is valid, but since it is used in other contexts as a bar which is hinged on both ends, it could confuse some.

I like Jim's philosophy.

[MyronL]

This question of stinger/ball location makes me wonder about where mine is. The stinger which Escape provided for my '96 Tahoe seems extended too far out. What you see is what I got --there is only one hole for a pin.

If I were to drill a second hole and close the gap, wouldn't that be best?

[DonF]

Originally Posted by MyronL

This question of stinger/ball location makes me wonder about where mine is. The stinger which Escape provided for my '96 Tahoe seems extended too far out. What you see is what I got --there is only one hole for a pin.

If I were to drill a second hole and close the gap, wouldn't that be best?

Good question. The ball mount for the Anderson Hitch extends about 2" further back than a regular ball mount. I was also thinking about boring another hole through the bar to bring the ball closer to the back of the TV. Anybody know of a reason not to do so?

[gbaglo]

You can buy another ball mount for a lot less than a supply of drill bits.
And, it's less effort too.

[MyronL]

Don't sound right to me, g-bags. You mean you don't already have a 5/8ths inch drill bit in your workshop?