I have a Reese hitch that allows a 15 degree angle off center towards trailer. I called etrailer, where I purchased it and they said "yes you can use it at its full 15 degrees off center. Now...I understand - a ball is a ball and it will stay engaged regardless of angle. But it does kind make me wonder. Anyone use such a hitch? This particular one is old trunnion style. The nice thing about this 15 degrees is it gives me just the right adjustment in height I need. I needed to get my nose on the trailer down a hair.

That's why they are adjustable...I've had three different hitches...all required some kind of angle back adjustment of some degree or another to be dialed in.

Most hitch heads can be angled like yours and you can run the max tilt if that is appropriate for your application. Generally, more tilt puts more tension on the bars and transfers more weight to the front axle.

Ron3rd wrote:Most hitch heads can be angled like yours and you can run the max tilt if that is appropriate for your application. Generally, more tilt puts more tension on the bars and transfers more weight to the front axle.^^^^this^^^^It isn't purely arbitrary. Either change the chain length or change the head angle, or both in some cases to get the weight transfer you need. Both achieve more or less bar tension which equates to more or less weight transfer.

The angle on the hitch head is not for adjusting the hitch height. That is what the holes in the shank are for. The angle, as mentioned, is to set the number of chain links necessary to get the desired amount of weight distribution out of the bars.barney

When everything is properly adjusted, height and tension, the ball should be very close to straight up and down when the trailer is on the hitch and torsion bars under load.

Angled Ball Hitch | Good Sam Community

BarneyS
Explorer III
Jun 16, 2015
The angle on the hitch head is not for adjusting the hitch height. That is what the holes in the shank are for. The angle, as mentioned, is to set the number of chain links necessary to get the desired amount of weight distribution out of the bars.
barney
mosseater
Explorer II
Jun 15, 2015
Ron3rd wrote:
Most hitch heads can be angled like yours and you can run the max tilt if that is appropriate for your application. Generally, more tilt puts more tension on the bars and transfers more weight to the front axle.

^^^^this^^^^
It isn't purely arbitrary. Either change the chain length or change the head angle, or both in some cases to get the weight transfer you need. Both achieve more or less bar tension which equates to more or less weight transfer.
Ron3rd
Explorer III
Jun 15, 2015
Most hitch heads can be angled like yours and you can run the max tilt if that is appropriate for your application. Generally, more tilt puts more tension on the bars and transfers more weight to the front axle.
downtheroad
Explorer
Jun 15, 2015
That's why they are adjustable...I've had three different hitches...all required some kind of angle back adjustment of some degree or another to be dialed in.

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