Sponsored

First time trailering

BMWtoF150

Well-known member
First Name
Marty
Joined
Jan 7, 2021
Threads
10
Messages
278
Reaction score
318
Location
SC
Vehicles
2021 F150 King Ranch, 3.5 Eco
Occupation
Retired, Part Time Consultant
What would be a good hitch drop to begin with? I know it varies depending on trailers and such, but I'd like to get started with an educated guess. I have 3 hitches on hand right now: 2", 3 1/2" and 5" drop. Not sure which one to try first.
I have a 21 KR and I use a 5 1/4 drop shen towing my utility trailer.
 
OP
OP
jfdube999

jfdube999

Well-known member
First Name
Jean-Francois
Joined
Nov 11, 2020
Threads
17
Messages
303
Reaction score
137
Location
Montreal, Qc
Vehicles
2021 F-150 Platinum 4x4 FX4, 2020 Edge Titanium, 2019 Escape Ti, 2019 Mustang GT PP2
The 3rd one! The first 2 will be wrong due to murphy's law...
Lol!! I know right? Unless I fool them all by starting on the opposite end and hit it on the head on the first try ;)

On the showroom floor, while the trailer looked level (by eye), I measured 15 inches to the ball coupler. Not sure what this represents in terms of F-150 hitch height though
 
OP
OP
jfdube999

jfdube999

Well-known member
First Name
Jean-Francois
Joined
Nov 11, 2020
Threads
17
Messages
303
Reaction score
137
Location
Montreal, Qc
Vehicles
2021 F-150 Platinum 4x4 FX4, 2020 Edge Titanium, 2019 Escape Ti, 2019 Mustang GT PP2
I have a 21 KR and I use a 5 1/4 drop shen towing my utility trailer.
Sounds like a plan, and I'll try the 5" drop first then. Don't think 1/4" or even 1" would make a huge difference if it's not perfectly level, would it?
 

daemonic3

Well-known member
First Name
Terry
Joined
Sep 22, 2020
Threads
22
Messages
1,808
Reaction score
1,758
Location
Sacramento, CA
Vehicles
2017 F150 3.5EB
Occupation
Engineer
Lol!! I know right? Unless I fool them all by starting on the opposite end and hit it on the head on the first try ;)

On the showroom floor, while the trailer looked level (by eye), I measured 15 inches to the ball coupler. Not sure what this represents in terms of F-150 hitch height though
I think it was 19" to the bottom of the receiver and 21" to the top, if I remember right. This is my 4x4 dimensions. I measured because it was roughly 2 inches higher than my 4x2.
 

Sponsored

OP
OP
jfdube999

jfdube999

Well-known member
First Name
Jean-Francois
Joined
Nov 11, 2020
Threads
17
Messages
303
Reaction score
137
Location
Montreal, Qc
Vehicles
2021 F-150 Platinum 4x4 FX4, 2020 Edge Titanium, 2019 Escape Ti, 2019 Mustang GT PP2
I think it was 19" to the bottom of the receiver and 21" to the top, if I remember right. This is my 4x4 dimensions. I measured because it was roughly 2 inches higher than my 4x2.
So, say 20" from the middle of the F-150 hitch, minus 5" drop, that would give me my 15" I measured before. Need to account for a bit of suspension squat though. Does it matter much if the tailer nose dives a little? Or is the other way around better?
 

Bryan Simon

Well-known member
First Name
Bryan
Joined
Sep 16, 2020
Threads
13
Messages
1,458
Reaction score
1,101
Location
San Antonio, Texas
Vehicles
65 Ranchero, 66 ElCamino, 05 Ranger, and more
Occupation
Maintenance
Yep, the 3 I have here are all 2" ball size, and so it the trailer. Only question now, which one to try first :)
Level the trailer empty and measure coupler to ground.
Pick the ball/mount that is closest to that and still keeping the trailer from being “nose down” when hooked up.
standard straight mount in the receiver should be about 20”
 
OP
OP
jfdube999

jfdube999

Well-known member
First Name
Jean-Francois
Joined
Nov 11, 2020
Threads
17
Messages
303
Reaction score
137
Location
Montreal, Qc
Vehicles
2021 F-150 Platinum 4x4 FX4, 2020 Edge Titanium, 2019 Escape Ti, 2019 Mustang GT PP2
Finally got it done today. Hooked up the trailer (the hitch with the 3 1/2" drop was the best for this trailer), crossed the chains, installed and calibrated the backup sensor, and went for a little drive. All good (y)

Ford F-150 First time trailering IMG_5665
 

daemonic3

Well-known member
First Name
Terry
Joined
Sep 22, 2020
Threads
22
Messages
1,808
Reaction score
1,758
Location
Sacramento, CA
Vehicles
2017 F150 3.5EB
Occupation
Engineer
Finally got it done today. Hooked up the trailer (the hitch with the 3 1/2" drop was the best for this trailer), crossed the chains, installed and calibrated the backup sensor, and went for a little drive. All good (y)

IMG_5665.jpeg
Very cool!!
 
OP
OP
jfdube999

jfdube999

Well-known member
First Name
Jean-Francois
Joined
Nov 11, 2020
Threads
17
Messages
303
Reaction score
137
Location
Montreal, Qc
Vehicles
2021 F-150 Platinum 4x4 FX4, 2020 Edge Titanium, 2019 Escape Ti, 2019 Mustang GT PP2
Very cool!!
Thank you! I don't trailer anything remotely as large as you do, but nonetheless there was a certain degree of pride and accomplishment in what I did today :) First truck, first trailer, first time out on the road with all of it!
 

Sponsored


OP
OP
jfdube999

jfdube999

Well-known member
First Name
Jean-Francois
Joined
Nov 11, 2020
Threads
17
Messages
303
Reaction score
137
Location
Montreal, Qc
Vehicles
2021 F-150 Platinum 4x4 FX4, 2020 Edge Titanium, 2019 Escape Ti, 2019 Mustang GT PP2
Got her almost perfectly level too :)

Ford F-150 First time trailering IMG_5664
 
OP
OP
jfdube999

jfdube999

Well-known member
First Name
Jean-Francois
Joined
Nov 11, 2020
Threads
17
Messages
303
Reaction score
137
Location
Montreal, Qc
Vehicles
2021 F-150 Platinum 4x4 FX4, 2020 Edge Titanium, 2019 Escape Ti, 2019 Mustang GT PP2
Great setup there!
Sponsored

 
 




Top