1-7/8" Ball Couplers are available by special order. (request by email)
We recommend using a 2" ball, unless you have other trailers with 1-7/8".
Hitch Height
Coupler Height (measured from the ground to the underside of the trailer coupler) is determined by the tire size you select. A Ball Mount will be needed to adjust the hitch ball height.
Ball Mounts come in various sizes of "Drop" and "Rise."
Hitch height should ideally be within plus 1.5" or minus 0.5" of Dimension C (see Specs page), for optimal towing and appearance.
Hitch height a couple inches outside this range will not hurt the trailer or affect it's handling, it will just won't look as nice.
Use this calculator to determine the ball mount offset you will need.
Insert Range will go here
Under-Mount Coupler Recommended. Add to order?
YES
NO
Enter receiver height here in inches
Tire Size
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Measure receiver height from the GROUND to the TOP INSIDE of the tube.
Turn a "Drop" ball mount over and it becomes a "Rise." Ball mounts usually come in about 2" increments. Ball mounts with an offset over 6 inches are hard to find. Class I and Class II hitches, with 1 1/4" square receiver tubes, are more difficult to find in larger offsets.
Our Under-Mount Coupler option will help in the case of very low receiver heights which would otherwise require a large "Rise" ball mount. The Under-Mount Coupler option mounts the trailer coupler below the trailer frame. This option reduces the coupler height by 6 inches and thereby reduces the "Rise" needed by 6 inches.
If you are still having trouble finding the offset you need, contact Road Toad and we may be able to help.
Hitch Class
Due to the light weight of a Road Toad trailer, any Class of hitch will work.
Class I and Class II hitches use a 1-1/4" square receiver tube.
Class I is rated at 2000 lbs. Towing Weight and 200 lbs. Tongue Weight.
Class II Hitches and higher have higher ratings than Class I, so all will work.
Class III, 4, and 5 use a 2" square receiver tube.
More ball mount designs are available for 2" receiver tubes than for 1-1/4" receiver tubes.
More accessories, (bike racks, cargo racks, etc...) are available for 2" receiver tubes.
We recommend using a Class II or Class III hitch. (higher if you are pulling other larger trailers)
Not all Classes of hitches are available for all tow vehicles.
Road Toad does not install hitches on tow vehicles.
Definitions
Following are some definitions for Hitch Terms:
Hitch - a mechanism attached to a tow vehicle to allow towing of a trailer.
Hitch Class - Specifies the load rating that the hitch is designed for. Class I is the lowest.
Ball - A hitch Ball (or trailer ball or tow ball) is the ball-shaped attachment that connects the trailer to a hitch. The Ball allows the trailer to pivot, providing smooth turning while towing.
Ball Mount - A Ball Mount is a receiver hitch accessory comprised of a shank and a trailer ball platform. The shank inserts into the hitch receiver tube, while the platform provides a solid mounting point for a trailer ball.
Ball Platform - The flat portion of the Ball Mount where the Ball is mounted.
Receiver Hitch - A type of trailer hitch that attaches to the rear of your tow vehicle, and provides a tube for attaching a ball mount or other hitch accessory.
Reciever Tube - The square tube of a receiver hitch where you insert the shank on the Ball Mount.
Coupler - A coupler is a mechanism attached to the end of a trailer tongue. It fits securely over - and pivots on - the tow vehicle hitch ball.
Coupler Height - Distance measured from the ground to the underside of the trailer coupler.
Hitch Drop - If the Hitch Height is greater than the Coupler Height your Ball Mount will need to have an offset which lowers or "Drop" the Ball Platform, for the trailer to hook-up level.
Hitch Rise - If the Coupler Height is greater than the Hitch Height your Ball Mount will need to have an offset which raises or "Rise" the Ball Platform, for the trailer to hook-up level.
Hitch Height - Distance measured from the ground to the top side of the hitch ball mount.
Tongue - The forward part of a trailer which holds a coupler, allowing it to be connected to a tow vehicle.
Tongue Weight - The downward force of the trailer tongue, measured at the coupler. Tongue Weight may be increased by loading weight in the front of the trailer. It may be decreased by loading weight in the rear of the trailer.
Towing Weight - The total weight of the trailer and its contents.
Towing Capacity - The maximum weight that a tow vehicle or trailer hitch is designed to safely tow.
