trailer hitch recommendation

[sanpablo]

Hi,
Should I get a straight trailer hitch,
something like this?

https://www.harborfreight.com/triple-ball-trailer-hitch-64286.html

I will be towing very rarely. My brother-in-laws log splitter and a very small/light utility trailer.
Thanks (2023 XLT hybrid)

( I did a search here but difficult to find an answer)

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[OleFordGuy]

sorta hard to answer as different items being towed can be varying heights. Seem the straight as you linked or a 2" drop are frequent choices. For best towing results the item being towing needs to be as level as possible instead of the tongue pointing upwards or downwards. Try measuring the height off the ground of the tongue of the item being towed when its level, then the height of the trucks hitch receiver. The difference should give you some indication if you will need a straight or drop/rise style hitch. Theirs probably better ways than this but to me its a quick reference

 

[icegradner]

The above advice is right on. To me it’s best to wait until you know what kind of trailers you know you’ll be towing and the receiver hight rather than just getting something that might work.

 

[craigt502]

I tow things like utility trailers and log splitters. A Curt 2” ball with 2” drop stays on the Maverick all the time. 2” drop is about perfect for everything I do. However, I think a straight hitch would still be usable for you.

 

[OleFordGuy]

Also keep in mind different ball sizes are used on items towed, most common are 2” and 1 7/8 ball sizes. KNOW what size your towed item uses.

 

[Timothyd]

Hi,
Should I get a straight trailer hitch,
something like this?

https://www.harborfreight.com/triple-ball-trailer-hitch-64286.html

I will be towing very rarely. My brother-in-laws log splitter and a very small/light utility trailer.
Thanks (2023 XLT hybrid)

( I did a search here but difficult to find an answer)

Measure the trailers, measure the receiver then go to a place like Farm and Fleet with your tape measure and check the hitches out for the proper height.

 

[Maverick2022XL]

I tow things like utility trailers and log splitters. A Curt 2” ball with 2” drop stays on the Maverick all the time. 2” drop is about perfect for everything I do. However, I think a straight hitch would still be usable for you.

Same here and I've used multiple sized utility trailers, tow dollys, dumper trailers and even a towable wood chipper with the same receiver. If for some reason it is too low you just reverse the ball and it is like having a straight hitch. It's not rocket science.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

Hi,
Should I get a straight trailer hitch,
something like this?

https://www.harborfreight.com/triple-ball-trailer-hitch-64286.html

I will be towing very rarely. My brother-in-laws log splitter and a very small/light utility trailer.
Thanks (2023 XLT hybrid)

( I did a search here but difficult to find an answer)

Here you go.
Here's a hitch for your Maverick.
This should cover you up to 11K

Seriously, don't be pressured into the "what If's" game.
Otherwise you'll end up with the hitch picture above.
You own a 23 hybrid XLT. That means going to be towing a recommended 2,000 lb or less.
You stated, you're going to be 'Towing Very Rarely.' You did not say how far.
I'm going to go out on a limb here and say probably less than a 1,000 miles.

Other than ball size 2" or 1 7/8"
the hitch below or the Harbor Freight one will probably handle 95% of your needs more than adequately.

Good Luck

GB
Update here's another one that would be overkill for a Maverick.

 

[Maverick2022XL]

Couple of things that are important. If you don't get a locking hitch pin avoid hitch pins with the cotter pin that snaps around the outside. Those can and will pop off and the next thing you know the hitch receiver and trailer tongue are sparking along the ground and you learn a hard lesson of why safety chains are hooked to the frame and not the receiver.

You want to get one like this with hole drilled in it for the cotter pin to snap onto the pin.
https://www.harborfreight.com/5-8-eighth-inch-x-3-inch-hitch-pin-with-clip-65432.html

Another useful item is to get an anti rattle clip like this.
https://www.harborfreight.com/automotive/trailers-towing/anti-rattle-hitch-tightener-58134.html

They help with trailing pins from the receiver jumping around when it is not tight fit. They also work great with bed extenders if you get one of those for hauling long pieces of wood like 12ft or longer. The keep the extender from sagging in the hitch.

 

[Maverick2022XL]

Another thing related to towing you should probably have just in case is a 2 inch receiver D-shackle and rope. If you ever have to tow or get stuck and need someone to pull you out having those will make things much easier. You can easily put thern under or behind the back seats.

 

[Raymundo76]

Hi,
Should I get a straight trailer hitch,
something like this?

https://www.harborfreight.com/triple-ball-trailer-hitch-64286.html

I will be towing very rarely. My brother-in-laws log splitter and a very small/light utility trailer.
Thanks (2023 XLT hybrid)

( I did a search here but difficult to find an answer)

As others have said, it depends on what ht is needed to keep the trailer level. One advantage of this type of hitch is that it may allow the tail gate to be lowered without hitting the trailer assembly

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

Something to consider, with a 2" drop ball mount, I can open my tailgate, with the trailer attached, without damaging the tailgate. Hate to see you be surprised if you drop the tailgate, and cause damage.

HRG

 

[Bic]

You want something that offers adjustable ball height and a 2 inch square shank to suit the Maverick's receiver hitch.

This height adjustment is important to keep the trailer level. If the ball is too high too much trailer weight will be too far aft and the trailer will want to sway from side to side especially when making lane changes etc. If the ball is too low then too much of the trailer weight will be carried as tongue weight on the Maverick and your headlights will point at the sky and you will have trouble with front wheel traction.

In the size range of trailer that the Maverick can tow you will encounter mostly 2" diameter balls. At the upper end of the truck's towing capacity range you might encounter a 2-5/16 inch ball like the one on my 3500 pound GVW Airstream Bambi.

You might even encounter an ancient tent trailer with a 1-7/8 inch ball although no trailers have been made with that size coupler for decades. Still, I'd recommend a ball mount with just a 2 inch and a 2-51/16 inch ball, I don't recommend buying a ball mount with a 1-7/8 inch ball because you will likely never need it and if you do encounter an old tent trailer just change out the coupler to a more modern coupler to suit a 2 inch ball. In the trailer weight range that you might encounter a 1-7/8 coupler the coupler will just be bolted to the trailer tongue with a single bolt or sometimes two bolts and the coupler will cost only about $20.

What you will NOT need for the Maverick is any weight distribution setup like spring bars.

So to summarize: 2 inch shank, height adjustable and two balls: (2 and 2-5/16). You need a third ball like YOU need a third ball and having three balls hanging out of the back of your Maverick looks about as natural as having three balls hanging out of your shorts

If you want to buy the best there is the B&W and it's well worth the small price premium. I've been using the 2-1/2 square version of this for decades on my big trucks and run the 2" square version on my Maverick. The "stow" feature save you from bashing your shins on the balls when you are not towing.

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

You want something that offers adjustable ball height and a 2 inch square shank to suit the Maverick's receiver hitch.
ue with a single bolt or sometimes two bolts and the coupler will cost only about $20.


Curt will sell you something made in China that meets these requirements . But if you want to buy the best there is the B&W and its well worth is small price premium over the Chinese Curt.

That B&W unit looks good, just wish they'd offer a single 2" ball version. I ain't NEVER going to tow a trailer that needs a 2-5/16" ball.

Not sure what your bias against Curt is, but my Curt ball mount indicates Made in USA,,,,,

HRG

 

[Escapologist]

You need two double hitch adapters to stack so you can get your bed extender installed vertical and your bike rack behind it, then either a 18" extender or cargo basket with passthrough to reach past all that crap, then something with a 1 7/8 ball because now you can only tow something small with about 50lb hitch weight.

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