Any recommended ball hitches?

[Aremite]

I recently got my new 2025 Maverick with a 4k tow package and am looking for a good ball hitch. It is my first truck and subsequently will be my first look into ball hitches. I won't tow often and plan to keep the hitch under the back seat when not in use.

I have been looking around and am unsure if I should get an adjustable one, a static one, one with multiple ball sizes or just go standard 2". Any recommendations or things to look out for would be greatly appreciated!

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[The Real Maverick]

The height of the rear end of the Maverick will match up fine with 95% of all trailers. You will probably not need a fancy adjustable one.

95% of any trailer you can rent will need a 2" ball. Having other ball sizes will rarely help.

Travel Trailers / camper will often have the 2 5/16" ball hitch. But smaller tent trailers and tear drops will have a 2" ball.

 

[Hybrid25XLTAWD]

honestly? and this is just my opinion.....
in today's society, with so many different trailers that you *might* have an occasion to tow, and no one having a "stanrdard" ball size, I'd personally be more inclined to get an adjustable one with the availability of multiple ball sizes...

 

[The Real Maverick]

This will be fine 95% of the time.

As Liberty Mutual says:
"Only pay for what you need."

FWIW - for cheap "anti-rattle" I just wrap 2 or 3 or 4 layers of electrical tape around the square shank.

 

[710-oil-614]

As stated - with the Maverick sitting as low as it does you will be able to line up and hitch to just about anything you're looking to tow. I have a standard 2" ball hitch from Harbor Freight:

https://www.harborfreight.com/2-inch-ball-mount-hitch-with-0-drop-95884.html

But I also have an adjustable aluminum hitch from my old Tacoma:

https://www.amazon.com/Rhino-USA-Adjustable-Trailer-Receiver/dp/B0BSP414PM/ref=sr_1_6?sr=8-6

I also have a pintle hitch for vehicle recoveries

 

[Aremite]

As stated - with the Maverick sitting as low as it does you will be able to line up and hitch to just about anything you're looking to tow. I have a standard 2" ball hitch from Harbor Freight:

https://www.harborfreight.com/2-inch-ball-mount-hitch-with-0-drop-95884.html

But I also have an adjustable aluminum hitch from my old Tacoma:

https://www.amazon.com/Rhino-USA-Adjustable-Trailer-Receiver/dp/B0BSP414PM/ref=sr_1_6?sr=8-6

I also have a pintle hitch for vehicle recoveries

Which one do you find yourself using most often, looking at the 2 links they are drastically different in both price and features, I guess for $16 the harbor freight one you can't exactly go wrong if you eventually need to buy a different one.

I did find https://www.harborfreight.com/triple-ball-trailer-hitch-mount-with-hook-62701.html which at least give me a bit of protection on the size differences of balls, as it seems the height of the Maverick would be pretty fine for most everything.

 

[MavMeister25]

The other measurement you need to consider is “drop height”. This refers to how high the bottom of the ball will be in reference to the top (inside) of the hitch receiver. Most common drop height would be “2 inch drop”. This would work with standard Uhaul trailers. The idea is to get the trailer as level as possible.

For my small boat trailer, I use a 2” ball with a 2” drop height.

 

[710-oil-614]

Which one do you find yourself using most often, looking at the 2 links they are drastically different in both price and features, I guess for $16 the harbor freight one you can't exactly go wrong if you eventually need to buy a different one.

I did find https://www.harborfreight.com/triple-ball-trailer-hitch-mount-with-hook-62701.html which at least give me a bit of protection on the size differences of balls, as it seems the height of the Maverick would be pretty fine for most everything.

If you're only going to get one - an adjustable aluminum hitch would be my recommendation. I have the Rhino USA one but you can get knock offs for less than $100 that has multiple sizes for the ball.

I have the cheap harbor freight one under the rear seat currently, and the pintle hitch with my recovery gear. I don't imagine I'll need the adjustable one anytime soon.

 

[The Real Maverick]

If you will be close to maximum weight in an unmodified truck, and/or will also have weight in the bed, this stye will start 2" higher, then your truck will probably "squat" 2 inches.

If you will be towing mostly lighter weight trailers with little to nothing in the bed... or if you beef up your rear suspension like I did, there will be less "squat" and this style is probably ideal.

The goal is for the trailer to be as level as possible. But an inch or two either way is ok.

 

[B. Adams]

If you're only ever towing one trailer, get the right ball and a drawbar with the correct drop and you'll be fine. If you anticipate towing multiple trailers with different hitch heights or ball sizes, think about something with adjustable height and a changeable ball.

I like Weigh-Safe hitches, and I have a few. I have a max 8" drop on my F350 right now, which I move up and down fairly often, and change to 2" the ball for one of my trailers. I have a 4" drop version in my Maverick, which is overkill for the one trailer I pull with it, but I share it with my van which I occasionally use for some larger trailers.

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

I use a Curt #45220, which is a dual-length model, that provides maximum engagement with the receiver. Also, the 2" drop works well with my trailer, and does not hit the tailgate if left in.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007LVBR8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

HRG

 

[The Real Maverick]

If you're only ever towing one trailer, get the right ball and a drawbar with the correct drop and you'll be fine. If you anticipate towing multiple trailers with different hitch heights or ball sizes, think about something with adjustable height and a changeable ball.

I like Weigh-Safe hitches, and I have a few. I have a max 8" drop on my F350 right now, which I move up and down fairly often, and change to 2" the ball for one of my trailers. I have a 4" drop version in my Maverick, which is overkill for the one trailer I pull with it, but I share it with my van which I occasionally use for some larger trailers.

But you missed the forest because of the trees.

It is MOSTLY about TRUCK HEIGHTS being vastly different.

The MAJORITY of trailers are within an inch or two of each other.

With one truck/vehicle... an adjustable hitch will not be needed and will be dare I say, just a waste of money. But hey, if you have the cash, they look cool.

 

[tkammen270]

I use a weigh safe 180 hitch but only because I had it for my old truck. You really don't need anything overkill.

I would buy this if I needed something. I like knowing the tongue weight.

https://www.weigh-safe.com/product/fixed-height-ball-mount/

 

[The Real Maverick]

I use a Curt #45220, which is a dual-length model, that provides maximum engagement with the receiver. Also, the 2" drop works well with my trailer, and does not hit the tailgate if left in.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007LVBR8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

HRG

Good point. I put my tailgate down all the time, and many people will want to.

I have same as you (pictured above).
Simple. Reliable. Works great. Does not hit tailgate even with trailer on the ball.

 

[Aremite]

I use a weigh safe 180 hitch but only because I had it for my old truck. You really don't need anything overkill.

I would buy this if I needed something. I like knowing the tongue weight.

https://www.weigh-safe.com/product/fixed-height-ball-mount/

I do like the idea of being able to see the weight which will help me make sure I am not pulling too much.

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