Suggested drop for hitch mount??

hey guys i just bought my first tacoma and i must say i am lovin it!! i got the tow package on my 2011 prerunner and i was wondering what would be the usual ball mount drop thats recommended? i found one online that says its made especially for the tacomas and it has a 2 3/4" drop. would this be acceptable? it was kind of pricy tho. i'm new to towing too but i won't be towing anything real heavy or anything. maybe you guys with more experience can help me out a little b/c this is also my first truck

 

yeah i def want a locking pin. people these days would steal it. how much would you say a good ball mount should cost?

 

walmart..... Jim

 

x2. I got a Reese kit at Wally World for like $30. It incluced the ball mount, 2" ball and a locking pin in a plastic carrying case. The case is the best part, I grease my balls so having a case to put it in afterwards is nice. And yes, I realize how that sounded and didn't see any way around it...

 

I waxed mine once but never,, hit em with grease

 

i have a 2” drop that we had laying around. just have to put a ball on it. and on the the locking pin. MAKE sure that the SHAFT if 3” long. since are hitches are a little different and they require one with longer shaft. the 2 1/4” will not work.

 

I use a 2" and when its all said and done on my stock tacoma it sits about right....axle grease to lube it. I bought mine from Wal-Mart.

 

Looks like this is pretty well covered, but I will add that I have always been impressed by CURT Manufacturing's products for towing.

Definitely overkill for our little Tacoma's, but they make quality products nonetheless. AutoAnything.com is generally the best place to purchase them, unless you can find a local retailer.

Fink

 

so whats the the rise have to do with anything? i just don't seem to understand it.

thx for all the input. it looks like i would be good with a 2 in drop, but what rise?

 

i just had to order a 14" drop for mine! i guess that's what happens when you have a 3" lift + having the receiver built up into an aftermarket rear bumper haha.

but seriously, in your situation, a 3" drop should be sufficient for most towing.

 

99% of ball mounts can be flipped - making the ball higher, versus lower. The rise tells you how much higher the ball mount will be should the ball mount be flipped. The drop, which is what most people care about, is how much lower the ball will sit when used conventionally.

Here is a good link that describes just about all aspects of towing & hitch/ball mount measurements - http://www.etrailer.com/faq-ballmount.aspx

Generally, the rise measurement will be 2" less than the drop measurement because of where you measure it from, accounting for the 2" receiver size (on Class III & IV hitches).



Fink

 

oohhhh.... sounds simple enuf. i will prob never flip it over. thanx.

 

It will depend on the trailer.
I used a straight one (no drop) on my popup, no weight distribution hitch. The tongue weight dropped the rear of the truck so far down that the trailer was still nose down, LOL, I almost needed a rise, not drop.
My current TT requires a 2" drop I think.
But my truck is sits about 2" higher than stock. (1" blocks plus spring TSB)