1" drop or 0" drop ball mount

[bdog]

I have a new trailer. It is a 20' bumper pull with 2 - 7k axles and the load on it is constant. It has some specialty equipment permanently mounted so the weight will always be the same.

I need a ball mount that is solid and rated for at least 12k, preferably more.

I want to get the trailer as level as possible. It is going to see a lot of miles going across the country a lot. I have a forged ball mount that has either a 2" drop or a 1" rise. I hooked the trailer up and parked it on a flat driveway and in the 2" drop position the the trailer is about 1" low in the front. If I flip the mount it will put the front 2" high.

Ideally I want it either level or maybe 1" high in the front. Problem is I can not find a ball mount that has either a 1" or 0" drop. Any ideas on where to find one?

I was thinking if I can't find one they make those 2 5/16 balls for goosenecks that have the raised shanks either 1" or 2". I guess I could use the 2" drop mount with a a 2" rise ball that would work wouldn't it? The balls are rated for 30k I just have never seen anyone use one for a bumper pull trailer before but I don't see why it wouldn't work.

 

[Qapla]

When you were checking the trailer for level did you have the load on it?

You need to put whatever it is you plan to pull on the trailer before you decide what is needed for level. An unloaded trailer will not level the same as one with a load.

If you did check loaded, I prefer slightly high at the hitch if I cannot get level. I never like to have the hitch down.

 

[jeffsw6]

You can buy adjustable mounts. I have not seen a 12K one but e-trailer.com has 10K.

 

[bdog]

When you were checking the trailer for level did you have the load on it?

You need to put whatever it is you plan to pull on the trailer before you decide what is needed for level. An unloaded trailer will not level the same as one with a load.

If you did check loaded, I prefer slightly high at the hitch if I cannot get level. I never like to have the hitch down.

Yes it is fully loaded and the truck has a "permanent" load on it as well so there is no potential for additional sag with more load.

I am like you I never want the front down, but 2" high is a bit. I can see the springs on the trailer axles not level and it looks like it is putting more load on the back axle.

 

[bdog]

You can buy adjustable mounts. I have not seen a 12K one but e-trailer.com has 10K.

I saw those but I need more than 10k.

Trailer weighs over that.

 

[bdog]

Thought on using a raised ball like this? It is only $20 at etrailer and rated for 25k


I don't see why it wouldn't work but have never seen one like that used on a bumper pull

 

[Fixemall]

Thought on using a raised ball like this? It is only $20 at etrailer and rated for 25k


I don't see why it wouldn't work but have never seen one like that used on a bumper pull

I have one similar to that to pull my dump trailer, it was just the ticket to keep it level. Don't forget to use a solid sleeve.

 

[bdog]

I have one similar to that to pull my dump trailer, it was just the ticket to keep it level. Don't forget to use a solid sleeve.

Sleeve?

 

[sandman2234]

Bdog,
Since i don't know what your up to, or what type of truck your planning on pulling this with, and you seem reasonably sure about the weighs and that fact that you don't want to be under rated on any part of this, I was wondering what type of vehicle you can use to pull a 12k bumper hitch trailer.
I noticed that several manufacturers of trucks capable of pulling that type of weight easily had footnotes in their spec's limiting trailers over 10K to fifth wheel hookup only.
David from jax

 

[LD1]

Bdog,
Since i don't know what your up to, or what type of truck your planning on pulling this with, and you seem reasonably sure about the weighs and that fact that you don't want to be under rated on any part of this, I was wondering what type of vehicle you can use to pull a 12k bumper hitch trailer.
I noticed that several manufacturers of trucks capable of pulling that type of weight easily had footnotes in their spec's limiting trailers over 10K to fifth wheel hookup only.
David from jax

Or at least a weight distribution hitch?

Actually though, the more I think about it, I dont think I have ever seen a standard(2" drop 1" rise) insert rated that high??? But I could be wrong

 

[zzvyb6]

It will sway less at highway speed if you run it with the tongue lower. There's some science behind this statement, so its more than just a wild theory. Its related to the sideview angle of the spring eyes on the trailer relative to horizontal.

 

[jeffsw6]

Actually though, the more I think about it, I dont think I have ever seen a standard(2" drop 1" rise) insert rated that high??? But I could be wrong

That's because the SAE standard for square hitch receivers does not cover anything above 10,000#.

 

[slowzuki]

WD hitch should probably be used anyways depending what you're towing it with but I see people using them without the spring bars just to get the adjustable shank.

 

[sandman2234]

Or at least a weight distribution hitch?

Actually though, the more I think about it, I dont think I have ever seen a standard(2" drop 1" rise) insert rated that high??? But I could be wrong

I haven't looked at many of the manufacturer's vehicles ratings, and that changes from vehicle to vehicle, model year to model year, option packages and a host of other things, but on the FEW that I have looked at and seen the footnote, none of them gave any allowance for a W/D hitch setup. Not saying it is a bad idea, but the manufacturer is limiting their liability for some reason on the bumper pulled.... no, scratch that... on anything NOT a fifth wheel setup.
David from jax

 

[Fixemall]

Sleeve?

Sorry, that is what we call the part that slides into the receiver that the ball bolts to.(insert) Another one you could use is the combo pintle hook/5/16" ball combo...it is essentially a zero rise/zero drop insert/sleeve.

 

[Skyco]

There are "bumper pull" drawbars rated to 20,000 lbs, I have a couple.
I've also used gooseneck balls in said drawbars to get a ball rated higher than the drawbar, works fine.
There are also receiver hitches rated to 15,000 or more, regardless of what the truck manufacturer says. Have one of them too.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_492931_492931

 

[bdog]

Bdog,
Since i don't know what your up to, or what type of truck your planning on pulling this with, and you seem reasonably sure about the weighs and that fact that you don't want to be under rated on any part of this, I was wondering what type of vehicle you can use to pull a 12k bumper hitch trailer.
I noticed that several manufacturers of trucks capable of pulling that type of weight easily had footnotes in their spec's limiting trailers over 10K to fifth wheel hookup only.
David from jax

I am towing it behind a f350 diesel. Trailer probably weighs between 10-11k. I like to have some safety factor built in. The ball mount I have now the 2" drop is forged and labeled 20k gross and 2k tongue.

 

[RickB]

I am towing it behind a f350 diesel. Trailer probably weighs between 10-11k. I like to have some safety factor built in. The ball mount I have now the 2" drop is forged and labeled 20k gross and 2k tongue.

Where are you at if you turn the ball mount over?

 

[bdog]

Where are you at if you turn the ball mount over?

I hooked the trailer up and parked it on a flat driveway and in the 2" drop position the trailer is about 1" low in the front. If I flip the mount it will put the front 2" high.

 

[RickB]

I hooked the trailer up and parked it on a flat driveway and in the 2" drop position the trailer is about 1" low in the front. If I flip the mount it will put the front 2" high.

If 1" low is outside your comfort zone, I respectfully submit that you are overthinking this by a wide margin.