Trailer hitch draw bar help

[Fisherpete]

Well, I finally got my company car... a 2011 Ford Escape. Price was pretty good - free Ok I did have to pay for the trailer tow package, which to my dismay did not come with the draw bar. What kind of drop/rise should I have on the bar? 2"? 3"? I took a look at my other vehicle (2006 Jeep Liberty) and it looks like it has around a 2" drop on that one, but I think the Escape's rear end is higher. Is there any sort of measurement to take from the ground? If it matters, I will be towing my 16' Legend with it, and a box trailer from time to time. Thanks for any help.

[mercman]

I put a 3" on my Ranger. I think they are about the same height in the back end.

[Crazy Ivan]

Drop or rise should allow the trailer to be level when being towed.

[smally21]

whatever it takes to get the trailer level. so level your trailer with the jack, and take a measurement. take a similar measurement on the truck. the difference is the drop (or unlikely) rise you will need. it is fairly important to run you trailker level off the truck.

 

enjoy!

[DRIFTER_016]

Pretty simple to figure out.

Set up your boat trailer level and back your truck up to it and figure out the amount of drop you need.

Pretty hard for us to tell you if we don't have exactly the same set up.

For my Honda Pilot and 18' Fishcer I needed a 2" drop to be level.

 

[Fisherpete]

Thanks for the quick responses! I guess the ultimate goal is to have the trailer perfectly level when towing... makes sense, I just never had to deal with getting the bar before - all my previous tow vehicles already came with it. I just found this link:

 

How To Measure Safe Towing Height

For safe, comfortable towing, the trailer should be set up to tow on a level plane. Sometimes a trailer's tongue is higher or lower than the ball mount on the vehicle, and a ball mount rise or a drop is required to level the trailer.

 

1. Measure from the ground to the top of the trailer hitch opening on the tow vehicle.

2. Measure from the ground to the inside of where the ball fits into / top of the trailer coupler. Make sure the trailer is level.

3. Subtract the height of the hitch ball you are going to use from the trailer coupler measurement. The difference in the two measurements is the amount of ball mount rise or drop that is required on your tow vehicle.

 

I am guessing that 3" will probably be just about right.

Edited March 17, 2011 by Fisherpete

[BFSC Kevin]

Like everyone else said, it depends on your trailer.

Get the proper drop to make your trailer parallel to the ground.

For my honda pilot and lund, I need a two inch rise

[skeeter]

I solved that problem real easy,

i bought an adjustable draw bar at walmart.

[lookinforwalleye]

Since when are company free???

[irishfield]

They are if you keep real quiet about it Gord. Although technically any private use is a taxable benefit based on % of use. CRA has a real nice formula to figure out the amount added to your T4. Still better than buyin one out of your own pocket.... and lettin the company worry about maintenance bills.

[lookinforwalleye]

Oh I know Wayne I had a company car for 25 years and it was great but never free but definately better than buying one!

[Fisherpete]

It is a taxable benefit... but it is also the first brand new vehicle I have ever had, so no complaints! Insurance - covered. Maintenance - covered. Just have to put gas in it and go!

[ohhenrygsr]

I'm surprise your company car isn't a Ford Raptor

 

We recommend to be about 18" from the ground to the centre of the ball