Finding the correct height of a trailer hitch is about much more than simple aesthetics. If trailer hitches are too high or too low, they can cause a vehicle to zigzag or drive unevenly on the highways. These issues can cause accidents. In order for you to be as safe as possible when driving and towing with a hitch, we want to make sure you know how high your hitch should be off the ground.
What is the Correct Height?
The question of how high should a trailer hitch be off the ground is one that is absolutely essential for both safe and comfortable towing. Your goal is for the hitch and vehicle’s receiver to be riding high enough from the ground to avoid scraping, even on potholes and bumpers. In order to achieve this, a trailer hitch should be at least 17 inches off the ground. If you put weight on the travel trailer, it will lean on the front area. For this reason, putting a distance of about a foot and a half between the ground and the hitch prevents a variety of issues.
At the same time, it is important to point out that this is a generic recommendation. There are other factors that could impact the distance from the bottom of the hitch to the ground. You’ll want to pay close attention to the quality or tensile strength of your vehicle’s shocks, as this can have an impact on how low or how high you need to go
Measuring the Height of Hitches
A too-high hitch is very dangerous. When the hitch height is higher than the trailer, the trailer will tip backwards, unbalanced and wobbly. This poor weight distribution will result in a hazardous driving situation for you and others on the road. To ensure accurate measurements for the height of trailer hitches, you need to follow a few steps:
- Step 1: Park your vehicle and trailer on a flat road or other surface
- Step 2: Measure the hitch receiver’s height
- Step 3: Measure the trailer’s coupler
- Step 4: Do some basic math
What you’re looking for a zero. If the answer is in the positive number, it means you need to raise the trailer hitch. If you get a negative number, you need to drop the hitch height. If the heights of the coupler and the receiver are the same and subtracting one from the other gives you a zero, your hitch is at the right height and you are good to go!
Order Hitches From Air Safe
No matter what your towing needs are, the right solution can be found on our website. This includes if you are looking for expert advice to your hitch-related questions!
Does the Class 3 Air Safe hitch have a height adjustment?
Yes, 4 different height setting
My hitch is at zero I had to buy a 8 inch drop hitch to achieve that and I’m towing a car dolly on a class A motor home but the bottom of the hitch is only 10 inches off the ground. Any suggestions?
On a car dolly you don’t need to be level. Be careful not to be to low from the ground or you could hit the ground when traveling.
measured from where???
Step 2: Measure from the ground to the bottom of your trailer coupler.
Step 3: Measure from the ground to the bottom of you receiver tube on the vehicle.