Towing a boat, how much ball mount drop?

[Chevy Joe]

Hello guys!

 

I got a small boat and was hoping that someone with a Silverado 1500 or Sierra 1500 could tell me the approximate inches of ball mount drop they use

 

It's a 19 foot in/out bow rider, 2,250 pounds with gas

 

I know how to measure and get the right one but I am picking up the new trailer for an old boat and I don't want to buy the ball mount from the Marina

 

Side note: I have to drag an old rusty trailer 4 miles

 

It's a 1988 "Sunbird", Has been sitting for 3 years since owner died, he kept it covered right !! And after cleaning the "points" (memory flash back to 1975 Chevy distributor ) it fired right up, outdrive sounds clean, ran it at 2500 RPM in drive for 15 mins I am paying $750 for boat and.......$1600 for new trailer LOL

 

Thanks

 

Joe

 

[kevin_nj]

Whatever will have the trailer riding level. Only way to know that is to take measurements; or get an adjustable mount.

[Chevy Joe]

Yes, I realize that, I was hoping someone with a small boat that drives a 1500 could tell me what drop they use just for an Idea, just for that day, then i would get another later

Does anyone think an adjustable mount is a good thing to have? if so can you recommend a brand of type?

I don't think I'll be towing anything else but this boat

 

Thanks

[SouthernSilveradoGuy85]

Since your truck is stock height you could get away with a tri-ball without a drop, but nothing more than a 2" or 2 1/2" drop. You have to remember that you take in account of the trailer dropping the back of the truck when hooked up which will help level it out.

 

The only reason to get an adjustable is if you have different height trailers or if it's lifted. No need to spend that much money when you don't really need to.

[Chevy Joe]

Since your truck is stock height you could get away with a tri-ball without a drop, but nothing more than a 2" or 2 1/2" drop. You have to remember that you take in account of the trailer dropping the back of the truck when hooked up which will help level it out.

 

The only reason to get an adjustable is if you have different height trailers or if it's lifted. No need to spend that much money when you don't really need to.

Thanks Steve, Yes, understood, I read one guy say that such a small boat would have a very light tongue weight and not lower the back of the truck much at all (he said light 150 pounds)

 

Also one boat trailer place said with boats a slight bit of up is better (instead of perfectly level)

 

Last time I towed a boat was 1986 and it was with a car and I didn't know anything LOL

 

LOVE your Truck BTW!!

[SouthernSilveradoGuy85]

Thanks Steve, Yes, understood, I read one guy say that such a small boat would have a very light tongue weight and not lower the back of the truck much at all (he said light 150 pounds)

 

Also one boat trailer place said with boats a slight bit of up is better (instead of perfectly level)

 

Last time I towed a boat was 1986 and it was with a car and I didn't know anything LOL

 

LOVE your Truck BTW!!

 

I think the reason they say it's better for the front to be up a little for a boat is to make it easier to launch at a ramp. I'm just guessing so I could be completely wrong. After I posted that I realized a light boat like that won't really lower the back of the truck that much, but it will. I know it would on this truck and my last truck (98 Silverado) since both are/were Z71s. My best friend and his wife have an '06 Sierra Z71 and was test driving a boat that was that size and they just had a tri-ball. Rather that was the best choice or not I don't know but it wasn't an issue. Also a 2"-2 1/2" drop ball mount will just basically lower the ball to be level with the hitch itself (well the tube that the mount slides into). What you could do is get a 2"-2 1/2" drop and if it seems to low just rotate it and reverse the ball so it's almost the same spot that a tri-ball would be. It would be a tad higher I believe but not by much (just the thickness of the part that the ball mounts to).

 

Not to make you feel old, but I was 1 year old when you last towed a boat lol.

[dsr611]

I use a 2" drop for everything that I have ever towed with my 2010...bass boat, UTV, 4 wheeler, utility trailer, etc and have never had any problem

[sahls01gmc]

Just make your trailer level AFTER you have all of your equipment loaded.

[mudeater]

I pull my 22ft four winns with a tri-ball with zero drop and it sits level. I don't imagine you need any drop.

 

 

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[kstruckcountry]

I have used a 2" drop towing a similar boat and it works great.

 

You actually want the trailer as close to level as possible for loading and unloading. Nose way up in the air actually makes it hard to load.

[Chevy Joe]

Thanks everyone,

 

I used a tri ball tonight to make sure I can "drag" this old rotted trailer the 3.7 miles to get the new trailer, it was the small ball (1 and 7/8) the boat was a bit up, it was so little weight I doubt the truck even moved 2 inches down, I have a feeling I'm going to need the 2 inch drop based on how small this boat is and comments here, The new trailer is a 2 inch so I'll use the tri ball to get it home and then decide based on that

 

I'll post some pics ASAP, we will be going to clean it up in the next few days but I have to wait 15 days for trailer from factory build in MD

 

Thanks Again!

 

Joe

[CptMcSaug]

I tow a2100lbs boat and I'm leveled 2" and have a 2" drop hitch whole things is perfectly level

[CptMcSaug]

Kinda on a hill but gives you the idea.According to Tracker package weighs 2176lbs

[uh6tdrvr]

As level as you can get it, plus or minus and inch isn't going to hurt

 

But that looks right to me. nothing going to be hurt there and that boat is pretty light anyway.