Receiver Ball Height recommendation

This topic has 15 replies, 9 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 6 months ago by texlacat.

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November 24, 2018 at 2:57 am #465442

Fish Doc
Participant

I just purchased new tires for my 2500 Chevy. Old tires were 265/75r16, new tires 285/75r16. It looks like the new tires are 1.2 inches larger diameter than previous, which should raise my truck axles 0.6 inches. My boat is a 2017 Jaguar with the 18 inch Bass Sport wheels.

My question is what the height should be from the ground to the top of the ball for my above trailer set up ?? And is this measured with the tongue weight on the ball or without ?? I seem to recall either a 19 or 20 inch recommendation I believe, but memory may be off, and tried to search the new forum without any success. I am getting some tire wear on the outside of the front tires right greater than left(if standing behind the trailer). I wondered if some of this might be caused by improper ball height vs axle misalignment ??

I will be pulling the boat on a long trip soon and wanted to make sure I minimize tire wear. Any info would be appreciated !!!

Thanks, Bill

November 24, 2018 at 3:53 am #465443

schodackbassman
Participant

Hey Bill – I wouldn’t think a hair over half an inch is going to make much of a difference over what you had going before. There can be an inch or so difference in ball height just based on what you have in the bed of the truck when towing. I.E. empty vs. loaded for camp or a long trip with coolers, extra gear, etc. I think one can usually tell if trailer is level just by looking at it (and if you look at a lot of pictures on here you will see many tow vehicles could use a bigger drop because the ass of trailer is low.) Of course a level on the tongue will be a better gauge but be sure to do it with the load in the truck you expect to be carrying on your trip. That said, I’m running a 1500 vs. your 2500 so yours may not drop as much as mine with a load in the bed. I’ve noticed the difference before when making a trip, unhooking the boat, then unloading the truck, and going to re hook up to find the hitch ball is now an inch or two higher because truck is now empty.

November 24, 2018 at 5:00 am #465444

Fish Doc
Participant

Shodack, I wondered if a level on the trailer tongue might be the ticket. But it is possible the ball was too high before the tire change. I will see what the level says. Thank you, Bill

November 24, 2018 at 6:26 am #465445

Shap from La
Participant

That’s what I did Doc. I put a 4′ level on the trailer and adjusted my ball height to make the trailer level when loaded on the ball. I have an EYRA with the aluminum trailer option with the 18″ wheels and I’m at about 22″ of ball height.

Chris Coupel
Paulina, La.

November 24, 2018 at 11:03 am #465446

Fish Doc
Participant

Shap from La wrote: That’s what I did Doc. I put a 4′ level on the trailer and adjusted my ball height to make the trailer level when loaded on the ball. I have an EYRA with the aluminum trailer option with the 18″ wheels and I’m at about 22″ of ball height.

Chris Coupel
Paulina, La.

I just measured mine and it reads about 20 1/2 inches. As soon as I can grab a level I think that sounds like the best plan. Thanks for the info Chris.

November 24, 2018 at 7:07 pm #465447

texlacat
Participant

Does it make that big of a difference? I have now had 3 Basscats and that is something I have never measured or payed attention to. I have a 1500 GMC and an Eyra and I am using the same ball and hitch I have had for 10 years. Like FishDoc said, I remember a certain distance from ground to hitch, hopefully someone can clarify that distance.

November 24, 2018 at 7:45 pm #465448

mike sanders
Participant

19 to 20 inches to top of the ball on the newer trailers and 18″ on older ones.

November 25, 2018 at 12:46 am #465450

Shap from La
Participant

I think it makes a big difference! Especially with the torsion axles. I want all 4 tires on the ground and supporting the weight. Our roads are just terrible down here and it greatly exaggerates any trailering issue you may have

Chris Coupel
Paulina, La

November 25, 2018 at 1:09 am #465451

Shap from La
Participant

Oh, and I was wrong about my hitch ball height. I am at 20″ and not 22″

Chris Coupel
Paulina, La

November 26, 2018 at 2:15 pm #465453

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

Mike’s right on the height and no doubt the newer vehicles and boat frames have changed heights. You want a slight 2” of frame pitch which goes to level when braking. You do not want the tongue to drop below level braking as it pushes the front wheels of the vehicle upwards. This lightens the nose.

November 26, 2018 at 6:50 pm #465452

Macsimus
Participant

Fish Doc wrote:I will be pulling the boat on a long trip soon and wanted to make sure I minimize tire wear.

Where ya headed? Must be south!

November 28, 2018 at 1:35 pm #465454

Fish Doc
Participant

Macsimus wrote:

Fish Doc wrote:
I will be pulling the boat on a long trip soon and wanted to make sure I minimize tire wear.

Where ya headed? Must be south!
Hey Cal, Yeah went down to the “Rock” and took my wife, then over to the factory to get a couple of things worked out about the trailer and a minor gel coat issue. Did not even get to fish. I will give you a call sometime with the details.

November 29, 2018 at 2:06 am #465455

kking001
Participant

Crazy question. Do I measure the height of the ball with the trailer connected or measure from the top of the trailer tounge sitting on the ball

November 29, 2018 at 3:04 am #465456

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

Measure ball height sitting rig (vehicle) empty to the top of the ball, on a flat surface.

November 30, 2018 at 1:31 pm #465457

Wheelman
Participant

texlacat wrote: Does it make that big of a difference? I have now had 3 Basscats and that is something I have never measured or payed attention to. I have a 1500 GMC and an Eyra and I am using the same ball and hitch I have had for 10 years. Like FishDoc said, I remember a certain distance from ground to hitch, hopefully someone can clarify that distance.

Too low and it can wear out/overheat your brakes as bumps or lifting off the accelerator will cause them to engage. Too high and it makes the trailer more squirrelly because of less tongue weight, plus it puts the skeg closer to the coming in contact with the ground. Keep in mind the recommended ball height varies depending on the trailer tire size.
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