need a drop hitch

snomaker321 · Jun 27, 2011

i need a drop hitch(or ball mount or whatever you wanna call it) for my ranger. Right now i have one of these 3 ball hitches but its too high to tow anything:

Anyway, i need a drop hitch. First of all, what size do you guys think i need? Truck is stock except for 265/75-16 tires. Also, is there any way I can get a drop and keep my 3 balls?

koda6966 · Jun 27, 2011

Yeah for $200.

http://www.amazon.com/Tow-Stow-Receiver-Hitch-Triple/dp/tech-data/B000FK3HT6

You don't need the three ball hitch anyway, god already gave you two built in ones.

Grey_04 · Jun 27, 2011

how about having someone you trust weld something like this up for you?

snomaker321 · Jun 27, 2011

Im looking at ones like you posted, Grey_04. http://www.amazon.com/ToolShopUSA-Dual-Hitch-Extension-Pounds/dp/B000CC29PK/ref=pd_sbs_auto_8

I dont know anyone with welding capabilities so getting one made is out of the question.

My concern is whether or not i can use the raised/lowered one for towing or if its only for accessories. Only one i looked at stated this

DRanger024 · Jun 27, 2011

Measure the tongue height of your trailer when level then the height of your reciever and the difference is what you nee for a drop. My truck, with a body lift and custom bumper with built in receiver tube needs approximately a 7" drop hitch. Dont forget to account for droop when the trailer is hooked up with a load.

4.0B2 · Jun 27, 2011

DRanger024 said:
Measure the tongue height of your trailer when level then the height of your reciever and the difference is what you nee for a drop. My truck, with a body lift and custom bumper with built in receiver tube needs approximately a 7" drop hitch. Dont forget to account for droop when the trailer is hooked up with a load.

yep this... i had to make a 6" drop hitch.. if you dropped your receiver down that far then it'd look dumb.

Grey_04 · Jun 27, 2011

DRanger024 said:
Measure the tongue height of your trailer when level then the height of your reciever and the difference is what you nee for a drop. My truck, with a body lift and custom bumper with built in receiver tube needs approximately a 7" drop hitch. Dont forget to account for droop when the trailer is hooked up with a load.

DRanger024, i see your theory if you would be using one ball size but check the op stated he ..

snomaker321 said:
i need a drop hitch(or ball mount or whatever you wanna call it) for my ranger. is there any way I can get a drop and keep my 3 balls?

so the whole receiver has to be lowered so either koda6966, or my idea would use all 3 balls without having to have 3 drop receivers or changing ball size every time you switch trailers.. :icon_confused:

4.0B2 · Jun 27, 2011

or you make a hitch for each one... if you're using scrap like me, and you make them yourself-- its free to make them!

see-- it works great. but everything i tow is 2" or will be soon!!

but i think Gray's idea is the best. that way it doesn't look dumb.. and its still functional and can be used w/ all 3 balls

strvger · Jun 27, 2011

i've been using one of these for the past 3 years. have towed close to 2,000 lbs with it and no problems. sure can't beat the price.

http://www.harborfreight.com/8-in-1-adjustable-ball-mount-hitch-95991.html

just my $.02.

snomaker321 · Jun 27, 2011

Let me clarify some things. I dont need all 3 balls, only 2, but the truck came with the 3 and i really like the convenience when I need to change sizes. I dont need to use this, I could just buy some balls. Its not like a do a ton of towing anyway.

Measuring for drop could be difficult because there are different trailers i will be towing, but i guess it will give me a good ballpark.

Thanks for the input guys. just wanted to see what my options are

85_Ranger4x4 · Jun 27, 2011

I have just accumulated different receivers over the years. I have one without a ball that came with my Ranger for pin hitches, one with a 2" ball that I got when I got my F-150 and one with a 2-5/16 ball that I got when I realized that in fact dad's car trailer didn't take a 2".

I don't have to have a goofy looking cluster of balls sticking off the back of my truck, a heavy cluster of steel to carry from one truck to another, a huge object to try to store when not in use, and I can have a receiver in each truck. Usually the Ranger has the empty receiver and the '150 has the 2-5/16 in it.

I have towed 7-8k with them. I think they are something like a 2" drop, they look "right" pulling the managery of trailers I pull. (2 different car trailers (2" and 2-5/16"), a car trailer sized flatbed utility trailer (2"), a old fertilizer cart converted to lawn mower trailer (pin), and a misc utility trailer (2"), along with a wide smattering of farm implements (all pin)) I will admit, the manure spreader looked goofy on the Ranger, but that was more because it was almost to the bumpstops...

A little drop goes farther than you think. Your truck is basically stock, unless you have really goofy trailers it shouldn't take a whole lot to get it close to right.

TomB1269 · Jun 28, 2011

I have an ranger edge running stock tires 235/75/15. I us a 2 inch drop and have found that the majority of trailers (popup, side load quad, open bed trailer, etc, each were 2000lb gross trailers) pulled fine and nearly level (load dependent). With the oversize tires you are most likely looking for a 3 or 4inch. You have an inch taller rim and 30mm greater tire, 30mm is just over an inch, with a 75 profile that would be 3/4 of the 30mm difference from mine- roughly. So a 3in may be slightly high and 4in may be slightly low. FYI; most trailers pull level with the tongue between 13 and 17 inches above the ground, usually about 15 inches. Thats the reason if you look at putting a hitch under a minivan or sedan the recommened tow bar is a 2in lift, where most stock trucks are a 2in drop.

4.0B2 · Jun 28, 2011

i still say that if you need a 2-5/16's ball, you need a bigger truck.... lol

Grey_04 · Jun 28, 2011

4.0B2 said:
i still say that if you need a 2-5/16's ball, you need a bigger truck.... lol

i need a bigger trailer :thefinger:

p38fln · Jul 1, 2011

Hey I recognize that color scheme - Schneider orange with bat-wings from an old cabover... you're missing the third air fairing and step in front of the drive axle, if that truck was originally a Schneider tractor it did have one there.

Here's the one I used to drive - a picture of that same model of truck actually doing work back when it was "new"

need a drop hitch

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