When it comes to towing a trailer, getting the hitch height right is about more than making your truck and trailer look good together. Towing level can improve handling, stability, tire wear, and the overall towing experience.
Whether you're pulling an RV to the campground, a boat to the lake, or a utility trailer across town, taking a few minutes to properly set up your hitch can make a noticeable difference.
At YakJak, we believe every towing setup should start On the Level.
What Does It Mean to Tow Level?
A level towing setup means your trailer sits approximately level with the road when it is connected to your tow vehicle and loaded for travel.
If the trailer tongue sits too high, the trailer may put more weight toward the rear axle. If it sits too low, more weight can be transferred toward the front of the trailer.
Neither situation is ideal.
The goal is to find the proper hitch height so your trailer and tow vehicle work together as a balanced system.
Why Is Towing Level Important?
A properly adjusted hitch can help your towing setup handle more predictably.
Some of the potential benefits include:
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Better trailer stability
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More predictable braking and handling
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More even tire wear
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Reduced stress on suspension components
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Improved ground clearance
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A smoother towing experience
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Better alignment between the tow vehicle and trailer
An improperly adjusted hitch can contribute to trailer sway, uneven tire wear, excessive suspension stress, and headlights pointing improperly on the road.
Proper setup is especially important when towing larger travel trailers, boats, and other heavy loads.
How Do You Know If Your Trailer Isn't Level?
There are several easy ways to identify an improperly adjusted hitch.
1. Look at the trailer from the side
With your trailer connected and loaded for travel, look at the frame or body of the trailer.
If the front of the trailer is noticeably higher or lower than the rear, your hitch height may need adjustment.
2. Pay attention to handling
If your towing setup feels unstable or you experience more sway than expected, it's worth checking your hitch height along with other important towing factors.
3. Check your tire wear
Uneven tire wear can have multiple causes, but an improperly loaded or positioned trailer can contribute to handling and tire-wear problems.
4. Check your headlights
If the rear of your truck squats significantly when the trailer is connected, your headlights may point higher than normal.
That's another reason to pay attention to your overall towing setup.
Why an Adjustable Hitch Makes Sense
The problem is that not every truck and trailer combination has the same hitch height.
A half-ton pickup towing a small utility trailer may require a completely different setup than a heavy-duty truck pulling a large travel trailer.
That's where an adjustable drop hitch comes in.
Instead of buying a different fixed-height ball mount every time your towing setup changes, an adjustable hitch allows you to change the amount of drop or rise.
That makes it easier to dial in the correct height for your particular truck and trailer.
The YakJak Adjustable Hitch
YakJak was designed for people who take towing seriously.
Our premium adjustable dual-ball hitch combines a strong billet aluminum construction with the flexibility to adjust your hitch height for different towing applications.
The dual-ball design gives you options for different trailer coupler sizes, while the adjustable design lets you find the right drop or rise for your setup.
And because YakJak is backed by a lifetime warranty, you can tow with confidence knowing your hitch is built for the long haul.
How to Set Your Hitch Height
Before adjusting your hitch, make sure your truck and trailer are on reasonably level ground.
Then:
1. Measure your truck.
Measure from the ground to the top of the hitch receiver opening.
2. Measure your trailer.
Measure from the ground to the bottom of the trailer coupler.
3. Compare the measurements.
The difference between the two measurements helps determine the approximate amount of drop or rise you'll need.
4. Connect the trailer.
Load the truck and trailer as you normally would when traveling.
5. Recheck everything.
The suspension will change once the trailer is connected and loaded.
6. Make your final adjustment.
Adjust the hitch so the trailer sits as close to level as practical.
Always follow your vehicle, trailer, hitch, and ball manufacturer's specifications for towing capacity, tongue weight, and installation.
Don't Forget About Tongue Weight
Hitch height is only one part of a proper towing setup.
Your trailer also needs to be loaded correctly.
Too much or too little tongue weight can negatively affect trailer handling. Make sure your trailer's load is distributed according to the trailer manufacturer's recommendations and that you stay within the towing and payload limits of your vehicle.
A properly adjusted hitch can't compensate for an improperly loaded trailer.
Your Truck and Trailer Should Work Together
Your truck, hitch, trailer, tires, suspension, brakes, and load all work together when you're towing.
Getting one component right while ignoring the others isn't enough.
That's why YakJak focuses on one simple idea:
Get your setup On the Level.
Whether you're heading to the campground for the weekend or pulling your boat to the lake, a properly adjusted hitch is one of the easiest things you can do to improve your towing setup.
Tow Better. Tow Smarter. Tow YakJak.
A level trailer isn't just about appearance.
It's about creating a towing setup that works the way it was designed to work.
YakJak — On the Level.