Hitches

Does your trailer hang nose-down towards the tarmac, or point upwards as soon as it's hitched up? In this category we bring together drop hitches, receiver hitches and gooseneck parts for you who tow a trailer or drive a UTV and want the right height, the right tongue weight and the right coupling.

What a drop hitch does

The ball mount slides into the receiver – the square socket on the tow bar – and carries the hitch ball. The drop, e.g. 5, 6 or 7.5 inches on the GEN-Y Hitch Mega Duty ball mounts, lowers the ball so the trailer can ride level. If the trailer tilts, the weight can be distributed incorrectly between the axles, which can affect steering and braking performance. Some models feature dual-ball with two ball sizes and a pintle lock. The category also includes gooseneck pucks for RAM Trucks from Weigh Safe, receiver hitches for e.g. Honda Talon and Kawasaki KRX1000, as well as parts from Wehrli, Rugged Ridge and QuadBoss.

How to choose a ball mount

Several measurements need to match – a bigger drop or a heavier bar is not automatically better:

• Shank size: must match the receiver, e.g. 2, 2.5 or 3 inches.
• Drop: the difference between the height of the receiver and the height of the trailer coupler while the trailer is level.
• Tongue weight and towing capacity: the rating, e.g. 3K TW and 21K, is in pounds. The lowest limit of ball mount, ball, tow bar and vehicle applies.
• Ball and coupler: the ball diameter must fit the trailer's coupler. Separate balls can be found under hitch balls and other parts under hitch accessories.

Installation, approval and maintenance

Whether a ball mount may be used on public roads depends on the product and the vehicle. Check the approval for the specific part number, and stay within the permitted weights in the vehicle registration document. Always fit the pin or lock, and regularly check for play, cracks and rust. A lightly greased ball reduces wear, unless the coupler requires a dry ball. For trailer lights there are wiring harnesses and adapters, and for trailers with electric brakes a brake controller.

Frequently asked questions

How do I find the right drop for my ball mount?

Measure from the ground to the top of the receiver and from the ground to the underside of the trailer coupler while the trailer is level. The difference roughly corresponds to the drop you need. Load in the vehicle can change the height slightly.

What do e.g. 3K TW and 21K mean in the product name?

TW stands for tongue weight, here 3,000 pounds on the ball. The other figure typically indicates the towing capacity in pounds. If the vehicle's or tow bar's limits are lower, those are the ones that apply.

What is the difference between dual-ball and a pintle lock?

Dual-ball has two ball sizes on the same mount, so you can switch between trailers with different couplers. A pintle lock is a hook for trailers with a lunette ring. The choice depends on the trailer's coupling.

Can I drive on public roads with a high-drop ball mount?

It depends on the product and the vehicle. Check the approval for the specific part number, and that ball height, tongue weight and gross weight are within the limits of the vehicle and tow bar.