Receiver Ball Mount - 4" or 6" drop ???

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I have a '00 2500 Ram with the camper special package and a factory installed Class IV receiver hitch. Now that summer is almost here, I'll be towing my toys (jetski & 25ft. pontoon boat). So I need to buy a new ball mount. My current mount won't allow the trailer to sit level, since the rear end of my Dodge sits so darn high. For those of you that use your receiver hitch, do you have a 4" or 6" drop mount?

Also I'm looking at getting a "Cushioned" ball mount made by Convert-A-Ball. Has anybody used or had any experiences with this type of mount. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

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2000 2500 24v 4x4 SLT QC SWB 3. 54 LSD Auto, Camper Pkg, Tow Pkg, Snow Plow Prep, EVERY option except leather and cab lights, Exterior: Patriot Blue with Driftwood Lower Accent; Interior: Agate
ACCESSORIES: Van Aaken CPC, A. R. E. Bed Lid, Bed Rug, Putco Pipeline Running Boards, BetterBuilt Stainless Steel Bug Shield, Brite-Box, 55w BackUp Lights, Dodge Splash Guards, 5" Monster Tip
Coming SOON: 4" Exhaust System, PIAA Driving Lights, High Wattage Headlights, Air Horn

 

[Archive]

I've got a 4inch drop but I'm towing a car trailer and it's actually too high. I think I'm going to put a 6inch drop. The only thing I wory about is the 6 inch drop is that it might flex too much when you stop and go. I might be wrong but I always thought that my 4 inch drop flexed. Also as you use a bigger drop I think that the load you can carry on the hitch changes because of the long lever. Hope this helps let me know what you do.

DD

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85,000Miles!

Yes 'mam it is a rolling office/bedroom/pickup/stinkpot/the best truck ever made!

1998. 4 4x4 Quad Cab 2500. 285/75/16 White w/gray trim. TST#8 plate. Limo tint, Whistler hidden radar built into overhead dash, Combo toolbox/41gal tank, electric start, Lund Grill Covers, Electronic Idler, scotty's air intake, and more to come.

 

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I purchased a 6" drop this last weekend to tow a moving trailer for my boss and it was just a little to low, I took it back for a 4", and I think it will be just about right. By the way they were both rated for the same load.

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TAZ... 2001 2500 SLT+ 4X4 Auto ETC Cummins, LSD 3. 54,Quad Cab,Long Bed Agate Leather, White/Driftwood Exterior, Sliding rear window, Camper Special Group, Towing Group, Cab clearance lights, Aux. Backup lamps.

2000 32' Aljo Triple Slide 5th Wheel.

http://www.ramtaz. 20m.com

Add on's at first: Pyro, Trans Temp gauges, Exhaust Brake, AutoLoc, Line-X bedliner, Aux. transmission Cooler, Injectors, and any other RamRunner required modification...

 

[Archive]

I use a 4" but every trailer is different. The theory is to have the trailer level or a little bit nose down. The average trailer will sit good if the ball height off the ground is between 18" and 22" or in my case the knee cap can get mangled if I bump it.

 

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I recommend the adjustable version. You can raise or lower 10" (I believe it's something like that). You pull the pin and there are evenly spaced holes the pin will fit in till you get it like you want depending on the trailer you are pulling.

 

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I have about a 1 inch drop on my class V towing my toy hauler. I fit the hitch with my trailer loaded for a level (even) distribution on the (3) trailer axles. With the weight in the trailer I have over a thousand pound toungue weight so it pulls the rear of the truck down too. I'm pondering a weight distributing hitch but don't know if it is worth it.

 

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As people have said, all trailers are different. I have three diff. trailers all using diff balls and heights. I got the "Balls of Steel" by roto-eze. Adjusts up and down and allows three different ball sizes. I love this thing. It is solid steel, so it ways around 45 pounds - but it won't flex. This thing is massive. Some don't like it because it clunks around a little, but I have had good luck with it. And traffic makes way when you change lanes with this thing. Just a thought - but I know this thing is a bit too much for some.

Craig

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2000, 2500,QC,4x4,white,tow,leather,6 spd,4. 10, 4" exhaust - turbo back, K&N, Balls of steel hitch, line-x bedliner...

 

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Also keep in mind whether you are going to stay with that size tire or go larger. I bought a 4" drop that was perfect with my stock tires and 3 weeks later I decided to throw out 4 perfectly good tires for 4 new 285/75R16 BFG AT KO's because with the 4. 10's the engine was singing at highway speeds. Then I needed a 6" and had a brand new 4" that noone wanted! I ended up selling it for $5.


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-Steve St. Laurent - President of the Great Lakes TDR, Chapter Forums Moderator
'98 Quad Cab Long Bed (CMNSPWR), 4x4, ISB, 5sp, 4. 10 LSD, Prime-loc remote fuel filter, boost & pyro gauges, TST Powermax, muffler eliminator, 5" chrome tip, BD Exhaust Brake, Isspro turbo temp monitor, Permatech spray in liner, Grizzly stainless nerf bars, Stull SS grill & bumper inserts, Front Draw-Tite receiver, BFG 285/75R16 AT KO's

 

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I suggest you go with the 6" drop. I use a 7" drop hitch and my bass boat and jet-ski trailers tow level. Most drop hitches I have seen, have a minimum rating of 5k. The bigger drops are reinforced.

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'95 2500, SLT, 4x4, 5-Speed, 4. 10 LSD, TST #6 250/635, VDO EGT-Oil-Trans temp on A-pillar, Isspro Boost, Mag-Hytec, Amsoil in dif's & engine, Leer shell, Bushwacker flares, 33x12. 50 on Weld 16. 5x9. 75 --19Kmi

 

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Thanks for the feedback guys. I decided to go with the "cushioned" 6" drop mount. Since the jetski trailer has 12" wheels and the pontoon boat trailer has 10" (golf cart style) wheels. I'm going to place my order in the morning. Thanks, again.

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2000 2500 24v 4x4 SLT QC SWB 3. 54 LSD Auto, Camper Pkg, Tow Pkg, Snow Plow Prep, EVERY option except leather and cab lights, Exterior: Patriot Blue with Driftwood Lower Accent; Interior: Agate
ACCESSORIES: Van Aaken CPC, A. R. E. Bed Lid, Bed Rug, Putco Pipeline Running Boards, BetterBuilt Stainless Steel Bug Shield, Brite-Box, 55w BackUp Lights, Dodge Splash Guards, 5" Monster Tip
Coming SOON: 4" Exhaust System, PIAA Driving Lights, High Wattage Headlights, Air Horn

 

[Archive]

Cancel your order, I used the 6" for lift on my Grand Marquis. I though the the shock mount would be a good idea but it was not. When you tow with a large drop or rise you have the bar acting like a lever. This jams the bar and in my experience rendered the shock part useless. On a 2 or 4" it would work

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THE ROCK/2001,4X4,SB,AT,SPORT,CL,CAMPER PACKAGE,WHITE,MOPAR MOLDED SPLASH GUARDS,STEELHORSE NERF BARS,BEDRUG LINER,CAB HIGH CAP.

 

[Archive]

With my tires, I have to use an 8" drop mount for my 8000 lb. trailer. Since installing airbags on the truck, the rear doesn't drop like it used to and I might need to use a 10" drop. I have both.

Both the 8" and 10" bars are rated at 10,000 lbs and are solid throughout. I've been using the 8" bar extensively for the last 2 years with no problem. The trailer is 24' long and so far I haven't needed sway bars or weight distributing equipment to tow safely.

There are photos on my website.....

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Mike B.

'98 RAM 2500 4x4 CC LWB Auto 12v 4. 10s Intense Blue, Sport, TST Power Kit, TCS Converter, TransGo
Diesel Shift Kit, M/T 16x8 Classics, BFG AT LT295/75R16, PIAA 90 Pro, ISSPRO Boost,Pyro,Trans Temp


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