O/T: trailer hitch question

I don't yet own a trailer, but want to buy a ball mount so that I can pull a rented car trailer, etc.

I've seen many different ball mounts with various amount of drop (2", 4", etc.) and also lengths (some are short and some extend quite a bit away from the bumper horizontally).

For a 4x4 truck, which drop would work for most applications?

What about length of the ball mount? When do you use the "long" mounts?

Lastly, what about ball size? Should I get a 1 7/8" or a 2" or both? What do most trailers use today?

If you are going to pull a rented trailer, find out what the hitch height is when the trailer is level, and select the drop length for your hitch. Some trailers have adjustable hitches to compensate for this as well.

Thanks again!

just a thought -- rick

Our F350 4x4 (SRW) has a 4" drop hitch for 2" ball and we have a heavy duty hitch for 2 5/16" balls that has a 6" drop. This one has a solid bar (not box tubing but solid stock) for the mounting part. With the 4" drop the top of the 2" ball sits about 21" off the ground and with that height some trailers I pull are a little too high in the front--also the tail end will tend to bottom out under certain conditions--like in steep hills or curbs, parking lots with drainage areas, etc. Buy the highest rating you can find for your hitch--look at tongue weight and gross towing weight ratings. (typical 2" hitch, 500#'s tongue weight, 5000#'s gross weight)

The most effective hitch height I have encountered for small trailers is 19 1/4" to the top of the ball. Get a mount that comes close to that, if your vehicle will accomodate it without hitting a spare tire or rear door.