How to Adjust the Ball Height on a Weight Distributing Hitch

Adjust the height of your weight distributing ball hitch to safely tow your trailer.

If the hitch ball mounted to your vehicle's weight distributing trailer hitch frequently slips from under the trailer tongue, you may need to adjust the height for a tighter fit. A weight distribution towing system disperses the trailer's weight to the vehicle and trailer wheels, removing stress from the vehicle's hitch. The vehicle's rear suspension is relieved of inordinate weight, reducing wear and tear on the rear of the vehicle. The ball hitch should be firmly attached to the trailer tongue coupler socket to safely tow your trailer.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Pliers
• Socket wrench and socket set
• Pencil

Instructions

1. Park your trailer and vehicle on a level surface. Lower the trailer tongue jack stand to support and level the trailer. Detach the vehicle's hitch from the trailer tongue. Move the vehicle a foot forward from the trailer tongue.

2. Measure and note the distance from the ground to the top of the trailer tongue coupler socket. This height will determine the adjustment height of the ball hitch.

3. Locate the hitch assembly on the vehicle. The hitch ball will be connected to the head assembly. The head assembly slides down over the shank, which fits into the vehicle's trailer hitch receiver. Mark the current head position on the shank using a pencil.

4. Remove the pin from the upper portion of the head that faces the vehicle. Remove the upper and lower hex bolts that secure the head to the shank, using a socket wrench. The head should be free to slide up and down the shank shaft.

5. Adjust the ball height by moving the head up or down the shank, aligning the head and shank bolt holes. The ball height should be slightly higher than the trailer tongue socket height to allow for vehicle squat, resulting from the trailer's weight. If your vehicle is a passenger car, add 1/8-inch to the ball hitch height for every 100 pounds of trailer tongue weight applied to the vehicle's hitch.

6. Mark the new location of the head along the shank, once the ball height has been adjusted. Reinsert the pin into the upper portion of the head. Fasten the head to the shank using the upper and lower hex bolts and a socket wrench.

7. Reattach the vehicle's hitch to the trailer tongue socket. Check that the hitch ball fits tightly inside the tongue coupler socket. Test drive the trailer prior to use.

References

• Valley Towing Products: Installation Instructions
• Reese Hitches: Weight Distribution FAQs