OT, receiver hitch height

deeretails · Dec 18, 2021

I'm rebuilding the back of a truck and wondering what the average or recommended receiver height should be. I have a blank slate so can put it at any height. Goggling this question yields a variety of answers. What do the experts here say?

Thanks

MJMJ · Dec 18, 2021

Theres no standard, it varies by vehicle. Its dictated by the frame of the vehicle.

Jeff NWOH · Dec 18, 2021

I'll be interested to see what the consensus is.

When I built my topkick, I matched the receiver tube to the height on my pickup. I think it's 19 or 20 to the center. I figured that way I could pull my trailer with either with the same hitch.

I have a gmc one ton dump here in the works. I'll probably do the same on that one as well.

Sean Feeney · Dec 18, 2021

jal-SD · Dec 18, 2021

That's why different lengths of ball hitch
receivers are sold. Select the length you
need to keep your trailer level when
loaded.

gajack · Dec 18, 2021

Ball should be Just below the KNEE

Blackhole49 · Dec 18, 2021

X2. If you can set it where ever you want, set it where the trailer you haul the most sets level without a drop.

Gene Davis (Ga.) · Dec 18, 2021

Most are just right to crack a knee cap on!

Tony in SD · Dec 18, 2021

Most of my many construction 1 to 2 ton trucks are at knee cap height. There are a few higher but none lower.

DoubleR · Dec 18, 2021

Mine is knee high. I have 7 different trailers I pull and have different receivers that vary in drop according to what I'm going to pull. That being said I don't think the height of the hitch is that important as long as its in the standard general area which I would say is knee high.

showcrop · Dec 18, 2021

What Double R said. Drop, double drop, triple drop, get the tube mounted where it goes best on the frame then get your drawbars specific to your trailers. I have four that I swap between.

redforlife · Dec 18, 2021

I agree, standard height seems to be around knee cracking height. End goal needs to be so the trailer your pulling sits level (when on level ground) when it is hooked up.
If it were me, and I had some room to play around with when installing one, I would install it in a way that it could be taken out, and put back in sticking forward (underneath of truck) instead of out the back, when not in use. And then get the correct drop receiver for the trailer. Alot of times this cant be done because of spare tire, cross member, gas tank, or something in the way. And its kind of a pain having a removed receiver hitch rolling around in the truck bed, or on floor board of pick-ip because it can't be turned around and installed backwards.
My 2 cents.

Russ from MN · Dec 18, 2021

I agree with some others, mount it where it will be the strongest, and have different ball mounts for different trailers, I have one straight one, and one with about a 6 inch drop, works for me. And when your not pulling a trailer, take it out! It's the law in California!

Leroy · Dec 18, 2021

The hitch has to mount to the frame, that determins the height there, then either drop or raised inserts like I have to use as my trucks set too low for a straight hitch.

Hoofer B · Dec 18, 2021

How high are your knee caps?

MarkB_MI · Dec 18, 2021

The center of the receiver on my Silverado 2500 is about 18 inches off the ground. That seems to work well for a variety of trailers. I wouldn't want it any lower.

DoubleO7 · Dec 18, 2021

(quoted from post at 14:42:30 12/18/21) The hitch has to mount to the frame, that determins the height there, then either drop or raised inserts like I have to use as my trucks set too low for a straight hitch.

The receiver can and should of course be mounted to the frame.
But from there the receiving tube can be where you want it.

I would build it out so that a almost straight drawbar works with the majority of trailers owned.

SVcummins · Dec 18, 2021

Big trailers are made so you can change the height of the pintle ring to get the trailer to ride level . You can buy hitch inserts that are adjustable so you can get the height you want

Pete in Holland MI · Dec 18, 2021

Ever slowly pass a truck pulling a trailer, and the hitch insert has a significant drop or raise to it? That kind of leverage puts a twisting motion on the truck's receiver hitch, that, long term, on a heavy trailer, can lead to hitch failures.

Wander a paved parking (relatively uniform flatness) lot at a place where trucks gather and spot measure their receiver hitch height.

MarkB_MI · Dec 19, 2021

> Ever slowly pass a truck pulling a trailer, and the hitch insert has a significant drop or raise to it? That kind of leverage puts a twisting motion on the truck's receiver hitch, that, long term, on a heavy trailer, can lead to hitch failures.

Any torque created by the offset of the ball mount would be trivial compared to the torque exerted by a load-equalizing hitch.

DoubleO7 · Dec 19, 2021

Add in the somewhat sloppy fit between the receiver and drawbar.
You get an amplified amount of movement at the ball.

showcrop · Dec 19, 2021

(quoted from post at 07:03:23 12/19/21)
Add in the somewhat sloppy fit between the receiver and drawbar.
You get an amplified amount of movement at the ball.

Never had a sloppy one in 35 years.

OT, receiver hitch height

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