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How to choose the correct Drop/Rise & Weight Rating for your Hitch Mount

Identify the Drop/Rise you need.
Identify the Weight Capacity
Receiver Length (Vehicle)
Shank Length (Mount)

How to Identify the Drop or Rise required so you can tow flat.

To choose the correct drop or rise for your hitch mount please follow the below steps and refer to the diagram and video.

  1. On level ground, measure the distance from the ground to the top inside of the Hitch Receiver (A - refer diagram)
  2. Level your trailer using your jockey wheel to adjust the height.
  3. Measure the distance from the ground to the underside of the Trailer Coupling (B)
  4. A-B = Drop or Rise required (C). If it is a negative number then you will require a rise

Identify the Weight Capacity required.

  • There are 3 key weights
    • Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) - Total weight of your loaded trailer.
    • Tongue Weight (TW) - weight applied on the tongue or coupling point. You can measure this with a Tow Ball Weight Scale.
    • Vehicles Tow Rating - what is the maximum weight the vehicle can tow based on the manufacturers' specifications
  • The Hitch Mount and Towball combination you select must meet or exceed the GTW. 
  • We have paired the Hitch Mounts with the correct Towballs in each of the product listings

Receiver Size 

In almost all cases the receiver will be around 51mm / 2" square.  In some cases usually with imported US vehicles the receiver maybe 2.5" or sometimes 3" square. We do sell a reducer for 2.5" to 2" HERE.

Sometimes there will be some movement as there will be a few millimetres in difference - we recommend using Anti Rattle Shims to sort if it is an issue.

Receiver Length

There are 2 measurements you need to check on the vehicle receiver as follows:

  1. Measurement A - Pin to End of receiver.  Measure from the centre of the lock pin hole to the end of the receiver (where you insert the towball mount)
  2. Measurement B - Pin to the rear of the receiver.  Measure from the centre of the lock pin hole as far into the receiver as you can go.

When choosing a towball mount (most of our mounts have dimensions on the listing) the mount needs to have an A measurement longer than the vehicle receiver and a B measurement shorter than the vehicle receiver to fit.

Lock Pin Size

Lock pins are 16mm standard size.

Other Helpful Information.

Towball Shank Diameter:

  • Each Hitch Mount will have a Towball Shank Diameter, this is the diameter of the shank of the towball that goes through the Hitch Mount.
  • There are 3 sizes
    • 3/4" (19mm)
    • 7/8" (22mm) - Most common
    • 1" (25mm)

Hitch Shank Size:

  • The shank of the Hitch Mount fits into the Hitch Receiver on your tow vehicle
  • Most NZ Hitch Mount Shank sizes are 50mm x 50mm
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