Trailer ball height

[Bigmac8]

Been lurking here for months soaking up,the info like a sponge. Simple question that I have saw many answers on from posts and videos. Is the top of the hitch ball supposed to be level with the top of the receiver when backing up to hitch up. Or is the ball supposed to be 1" or so higher. Have used both ways but looking for the correct install. Thanks for the help.

[Boon_Docker]

Set the ball height at 3/4 - 1 inch higher than the top of the socket to allow for vehicle squat.

[beemerphile1]

Bigmac8 wrote:
Original OP here. Sorry I caused such a ruckus. I was referring to the top of the ball and the top of the socket on the trailer tongue. My wording was not correct. So if the truck is level and the trailer is level is the ball higher or lower than the socket without the wdh set up. If the ball us 1 " higher the truck settles much lower after the the tongue jack lowers takes the weight off it than if it is level with the top of the socket before the wdh is set. Thanks again for the info.

The "socket" is called the coupler.

I still can't figure out what you are actually asking.

From the forum towing section, read this stickie;
Weight Distribution (WD) Hitch --- How it Works

and this stickie;
Travel Trailer Hitch Set-up Procedure

And the installation manual that should have come with your hitch.

[Bigmac8]

Original OP here. Sorry I caused such a ruckus. I was referring to the top of the ball and the top of the socket on the trailer tongue. My wording was not correct. So if the truck is level and the trailer is level is the ball higher or lower than the socket without the wdh set up. If the ball us 1 " higher the truck settles much lower after the the tongue jack lowers takes the weight off it than if it is level with the top of the socket before the wdh is set. Thanks again for the info.

[Gene_Ginny]

beemerphile1 wrote:
... Here is the OP:

Bigmac8 wrote:
Been lurking here for months soaking up,the info like a sponge. Simple question that I have saw many answers on from posts and videos. Is the top of the hitch ball supposed to be level with the top of the receiver when backing up to hitch up. Or is the ball supposed to be 1" or so higher. Have used both ways but looking for the correct install. Thanks for the help.

The questions are in bold. I answered the questions asked.

I read it the same way you did. I wish the OP would clear up the question.

[Acdii]

RTFM. That is the correct answer here. The manual for my Husky states to have the ball 1" higher then the socket. That is for the Husky. Other manufacturers may state something different, for example, the Equilizer WDH does not have any pitch adjustments, it just bolts to the shank. I don't recall if they state where to set the ball at.

However, I found mine worked at the same height as the trailer, so FWIW it all depends on what you are towing. For my horse trailer the ball works best at 1" higher.

[rbpru]

This seems like much to do over nothing. Level, an inch high or low makes will never be noticed once the WD hitch is set to level.

[Hannibal]

When we ordered our new TT, I measured one on the lot from the ground to the chassis between the wheels as the Lippert coupler is even with the bottom of the chassis. It was 23". So I set up my hitch ball height to 23" to the bottom of the ball there about and set the angle of the head per Reese's instructions, straight up. When we hitched up our new TT and snapped the bars on, it was 22" up front and 24" out back. Perfect!

[mdprowash]

^^lol @ you guys^^

[beemerphile1]

hohenwald48 wrote:
I think if you read a little closer and use a little understanding, you'll see the "receiver" he is talking about is on the trailer. Obviously, he was not referring to the technical "receiver" you made reference to. I elected to not make a big deal over his failure to use the exact terminology. You apparently thought pointing out that little error would be helpful in some way. I'm now done with this thread.

I didn't say the question made sense, it doesn't, but I don't have authorization to speak for the OP as to what they mean. I just answer the question asked.

[hohenwald48]

I think if you read a little closer and use a little understanding, you'll see the "receiver" he is talking about is on the trailer. Obviously, he was not referring to the technical "receiver" you made reference to. I elected to not make a big deal over his failure to use the exact terminology. You apparently thought pointing out that little error would be helpful in some way. I'm now done with this thread.

[beemerphile1]

hohenwald48 wrote:
Are you aware the OP asked about ball height. Never mentioned receiver. Why would you even add that bit of worthless info to the thread.

The relationship between ball height and tilt of the driver seat is meaningless too. And about as relevant as your "receiver" statement.

You must be reading something other than what I read. Maybe a remedial course on reading comprehension is in order? 😉 Here is the OP:

Bigmac8 wrote:
Been lurking here for months soaking up,the info like a sponge. Simple question that I have saw many answers on from posts and videos. Is the top of the hitch ball supposed to be level with the top of the receiver when backing up to hitch up. Or is the ball supposed to be 1" or so higher. Have used both ways but looking for the correct install. Thanks for the help.

The questions are in bold. I answered the questions asked.

[hohenwald48]

Are you aware the OP asked about ball height. Never mentioned receiver. Why would you even add that bit of worthless info to the thread.

The relationship between ball height and tilt of the driver seat is meaningless too. And about as relevant as your "receiver" statement.

[beemerphile1]

hohenwald48 wrote:

beemerphile1 wrote:
The relationship between the ball height and the receiver height is meaningless.

When backing up to hitch you obviously need the coupler to be higher than the ball so the ball can go underneath.

Not true. If they are not the same height when both are level before hitching you will end up with one or the other (possibly both) going down the road unlevel. ie; nose high or nose down

Of course you have to raise the trailer tongue above horizontal to make the connection. Common sense.

Setting the proper "at rest" ball height is necessary to have a level trailer and tow vehicle while towing.

Are you aware that the "receiver" is the part that is bolted to the frame of the tow vehicle? The ball height in relation to the receiver is meaningless.


You cannot control the receiver height. The ball mount drop or rise is chosen so that the ball is at the correct height for the trailer.

[rbpru]

It is true that the WD setting will change with the TT load. The technician explained that during our walk through. We set the TT level and it took an extra link after loading.

As for the original ball height question. When all else fails, read the hitch manual. My manual suggests moving the ball height when you cannot get a level setting with the chain links.