Hitch Ball-Mounts
New crop of hitch ball-mounts combine form with function to save time and money around jobsites; tow different trailers with one setup
How many times have you rolled into the equipment yard to hook up a trailer only to find the ball on the receiver hitch is the wrong one, or been tasked at a jobsite to move a trailer only to find the hitch height was all wrong to tow it safely with your pickup?
Usually such instances result in the driver removing the wrong ball, digging through the toolbox or scouring the shop to find the correct tow ball or another shank with the proper size ball and drop/rise.
Whatever the scenario, it’s time wasted when the trailer you need to tow and the mount on your pickup isn’t a match.
It’s also a potential towing safety issue when the trailer deck isn’t sitting level after the coupler is locked on the pickup’s hitch. And safety during work hours is always priority one.
One solution to such towing issues is equipping your pickup (or shop tool cage) with one of the many adjustable-height, multiple-ball receiver hitch mounts that are available.
A typical ball-mount of this type can handle trailers with 1 7/8-, 2-, and 2 5/16-inch balls while providing adjustable rise/drop over a wide range. This allows the driver to quickly hook up any trailer with just about any pickup from a stock two-wheel-drive half-ton to a lifted 4×4 dually.
We’ve highlighted a few adjustable, multi-ball mounts that would work well in the receiver hitch of any work truck.
XD Sportsman HD
Tow in style with the XD Sportsman H.D. Package from Inventive Hitches. It includes a 6-inch HD Platform that fits 2.5-inch receivers and includes the XD Ball Mount, plus chrome-plated side and lynch pin. Comes with 2- and 2 5/16-inch turnover ball with 10,000-pound capacity. Platform can be mounted backwards for out-of-the-way storage. $280; inventivehitches.com
CURT 45799
Built to tow trailers up to 10,000 pounds, Curt’s Multi Ball Mount features a 5 3/4-inch drop, 5 3/4-inch rise and uses 1 7/8-inch, 2-inch and 2 5/16-inch balls. The durable double-carbide powder-coat finish resists rust and keeps the mount in top shape for years. Hitch $175; curtmfg.com
Diversi-Tech ALBM
Switch easily between trailers with Diversi-Tech’s ALBM Series adjustable ball-mounts formed out of billet aluminum rated for 10,000 pounds. Go from a 6-inch drop to a 7-inch rise in 1-inch steps, and swap 2- and 2 5/16-inch chrome-plated balls with either 1- or 1 1/4-inch shanks. Integrated key lock in shank face operates stainless locking pin to prevent theft. $260; diversi-tech.net
B&W Tow & Stow
B&W Trailer Hitches Tow & Stow adjustable ball mounts are available in four models of drop/rise configurations but all rated for 10,000 pounds. Tow & Stow mounts come with either double- or triple-ball configurations and provide height adjustments in 1-inch increments for a safe, level tow. The ball mount rotates under the receiver when not in use. $280; turnoverball.com
Rapid Hitch 3405
The Rapid Hitch 6-inch adjustable-drop/rise setup from Andersen Hitches is made from an aluminum super alloy and adjusts fast with the pull of the hitch pin. Unit has reversible, greaseless 2- and 2 5/16-inch aluminum balls to tow trailers up to 10,000 pounds. Anti-theft keyed locking pins are optional. $210; andersenhitches.com
Diversi-Tech 6600-3S
This adjustable, aluminum ball mount from Versi-Tech can be adjusted from a 6-inch drop to a 7-inch rise in 1-inch steps, and carries spare hitch balls on a special platform for easy access. Comes with 1 7/8-, 2- and 2 5/16-inch stainless balls for trailers up to 12,000 pounds. Self-tensioning, anti-rattle Solid-Tow system tightens ball mount inside receiver tube and secures ball platform to ball mount. $480; diversi-tech.net
TeleSwivel 300
The TeleSwivel 300 both extends and swivels to make the trailer connections faster and easier. It fits into any 2-inch receiver, features a 2- and a 2 5/16-inch reversible dual-ball attachment with additional pintle ring retention rated to 14,000 pounds. Tool-free adjustments and a 10-inch adjustable rise/drop range. $800; teleswivel.com
Air Shocker
Soften the hard connection between trailer and tow vehicle and have the versatility of towing different trailers with Shocker Hitch’s Air Shocker package. Fits both 2- and 2 1/2-inch receivers. Rocker arm pivot design dampens shocks and jarring caused by the trailer. Comes with 2- and 2 5/16-inch combo ball mount with max 12,000-pound towing capacity. $399; shockerhitch.com
