Ball Height

[chaseav]

Just bought a new truck and it's much higher than my old TV. I'm having to buy a new drop shank (I think that's what it's called) to accommodate. Does anyone know what the right height above the ground the ball should be set to?

I have a 2015 International Signature 25FB with stock (15" I think) wheels.

I know I'm supposed to measure my hitch to arrive at this number but ground is so seldom level that I'm hoping that there is a laboratory number for it somewhere. Not finding anything in the manual.

Thanks!

[chaseav]

No help here?! Just commenting on it so it gains some traffic. Thanks!

[SteveSueMac]

Sorry - I'm the manual for my 2012 Flying Cloud it says the standard hitch ball height is 17 3/4. This may or may not apply to you: Here's the paragraph:


The standard RECOMMENDED HITCH BALL HEIGHT for the Airstream Flying Cloud is 17 3⁄4” for all models. If you plan long trips with the trailer heavily loaded you should check your trailer, after loading, to determine the optimum height. To check, park the trailer on a level surface and crank the front jack up or down until the measurement from the frame to the ground is the same front and rear. Measure from the ground to the upper surface of the hitch ball coupler. Add one
inch to this figure when setting the ball height suspension settling under the added weight.
on the tow vehicle to allow for the

[Lumatic]

19 1/2" is a common height. Given you have 3 different answers, level the trailer with the tongue jack and measure from the top the coupler to the ground. The height of the ball on your shank should be a couple of inches higher depending on how much your TV squats. When all is said and done and your are hitched up both the TV and trailer should be level.

[Mrjkq]

If it were me, I'd head to a RV dealer I had confidence in & have them set up the hitch.

[Sbb]

Agree, setting hitch correctly is tricky and safety first. I get mine checked for two senerios, car packed for work and car empty, to very different setups to keep me safe.