Ram 1500 trucks are popular choices for towing and hauling.
If you are considering purchasing a Ram 1500, it is important to choose the correct size hitch to ensure your vehicle is able to safely tow your trailer or haul your cargo.
But What Size Drop Hitch For Ram 1500?
This blog post will explore what size drop hitch you need for a Ram 1500.
What Size Drop Hitch For Ram 1500?
A standard Ram 1500 truck comes equipped with a 5-way hitch receiver, which can accommodate drop hitches of up to 2″.
If you are planning on towing or hauling anything heavier than what this hitch receiver is designed for, then you will need a larger drop hitch.
Does My Truck Need a Drop Hitch?
If the hitch on your vehicle is higher than your trailer’s coupler, you’ll need a ball mount with a drop hitch.
The drop hitch can help maintain a proper height differential between your trailer and your truck, which is important for safety reasons.
You’ll also need to consider what size drop hitch you need based on the weight of the load you are hauling or towing.
If you’re unsure of whether or not you need a drop hitch, it’s best to consult with your local dealer or professional towing expert.
They can help you choose the right drop hitch to match your Ram 1500 truck and your intended hauling or towing needs.
At What Height Do You Need A Drop Hitch?
Your trailer hitch ball must be at least 11″ from the ground when your trailer is loaded.
A drop hitch can help to ensure that your trailer and truck are at the correct height for safe towing.
Also, the smaller drop hitch parts are lighter in weight, allowing you to carry more supplies and gear on your trailer.
It’s important to choose the right drop hitch size for your truck, as a too-small or too-large hitch can affect your vehicle’s performance and handling.
Is A 2-Inch Drop Hitch Standard?
Yes, a 2-inch drop hitch is standard on most trucks. Some trucks have a different size drop hitch as standard equipment, though.
For example, Ram 1500 usually comes with a 2-inch drop hitch as stock equipment for towing your trailer around the block.
Besides a 2-inch drop hitch is the most common size that you will find on trucks and SUVs.
This type of hitch allows you to easily haul trailers, cargo carriers, bike racks, and other accessories without having to worry about them hanging too low or dragging on the ground.
Does A Drop Hitch Affect Tongue Weight?
Yes. The height of the hitch significantly affects the tongue weight. Having your hitch too high will overload the trailer’s axles.
Having it too low will put an excessive amount of weight on the hitch and make it difficult to tow.
A tongue weight of 10% to 15% is generally accepted as a good average tongue weight.
If you exceed that amount, it’s likely your vehicle will sag in the rear, even with a drop hitch.
Besides, the size of your drop hitch also affects tongue weight, as this determines how much load is placed on the trailer’s axles.
Generally, a lower drop hitch works best for lighter loads and smaller trailers, while a higher drop hitch works best for heavier loads and larger trailers.
Does A Drop Hitch Reduce Tongue Weight?
No, a drop hitch does not reduce tongue weight.
In fact, the amount of tongue weight that is transferred to the vehicle will be directly related to the height and size of your drop hitch.
So, if you use a drop hitch to raise the rear of your vehicle, then the amount of tongue weight that is transferred will be 100% of what is on your trailer.
This can obviously cause serious issues for smaller vehicles, such as SUVs and trucks that are not equipped with an adequate amount of hitch weight.
What Is The Most Common Hitch Drop?
You can find them in nearly any drop or rise you might need, but the straight 2-inch, 4-inch, and 6-inch drop/rise hitches are the most popular.
They are available in both steel and aluminum, which will affect their weight capacity.
The most common hitch drop is the 2-inch drop, which is ideal for many applications.
This size provides a good balance between clearance and ground clearance, making it perfect for towing heavy loads over rough terrain.
It is also lightweight and easy to install, making it popular among recreational vehicle owners.
Another common drop hitch is the 4-inch rise, which is ideal for those who need extra clearance when driving through hilly or rough terrain.
This size offers more ground clearance than a 2-inch drop, but still provides plenty of room to maneuver on flat surfaces.
Like the 2-inch drop, it is also lightweight and easy to install. If you need an even higher rise, the 6-inch drop/rise hitch is a good option.
This size gives you plenty of extra clearance for hilly or rough terrain, making it perfect for those who regularly tow heavy loads over rough ground.
However, it is heavier and more difficult to install than other options, so it may not be the best choice for recreational vehicle owners.
So whether you need extra clearance on hilly terrain or just want to keep your trailer from scraping against the ground, there is a drop hitch that will meet your needs.
How Do I Know Which Drop Hitch I Need For My Ram 1500?
The size of the hitch that you need for the car depends on a lot of factors such as your vehicle type and your goal.
One factor is how much weight you want to add to the back of your truck and what kind of load you expect it to carry.
The simplest way to determine which one is best suited for whatever type of hauling you need to do is to take a look at the maximum tongue weight and gross trailer weight ratings for your truck.
If you are just looking to tow light loads such as a camper or small boat, then you will likely be able to get away with using a hitch that has less capacity.
However, if you are planning on hauling heavier loads such as a large RV or livestock trailer, then you will likely need to purchase a more heavy-duty hitch.
Another factor that can determine what size hitch you need is the size of your truck bed and the type of plane it has.
If your truck doesn’t have much space in the back and if you plan to use a hitch that has a larger capacity, then it’s important to be aware of any clearance issues.
Overall, the best thing that you can do is take your truck and trailer to a trusted local shop and talk to them about what size drop hitch will work best for your specific needs.
In the end, finding the right size drop hitch comes down to understanding your needs and doing your research so that you can find one that is best suited to your vehicle and your hauling needs.
FAQs on what size drop hitch need for Ram
Does A Ram 1500 Need A Weight Distribution Hitch?
If you’re towing a load over 5,000 pounds with your Ram 1500, then we recommend using a weight-distribution hitch and setting the FALR at 66%.
This will help keep the load balanced, preventing sway and reducing strain on your truck.
What Class Of Hitch Should I Use For My Ram 1500?
There are many different types of hitches available for your Ram 1500, including 2-inch, 4-inch, and 6-inch drop/rise hitches.
But for Ram 1500 you will need a Class 4 hitch, depending on the weight of your trailer and cargo.
Can You Flip A 2-Inch Drop Hitch?
You can tow a trailer if the manufacturer of the tow bar and tongue approves, as well as the vehicle manufacturer.
However, if you have a 2-inch drop hitch and need to tow a trailer with higher ground clearance than your truck bed, it may be possible to flip the hitch so that it sits closer to level.
What Is The Tongue Weight For Ram 1500?
The tongue weight for a Ram 1500 varies depending on the hitch size and the type of trailer that you are towing.
Generally, the tongue weighs 1,100lb., though it may be higher if you are using a larger-capacity hitch.
Conclusion
Now you know what size drop hitch you need for your Ram.
Also, you know that there are different types of hitches available, depending on the weight and clearance requirements of your load.
So when you are planning to haul a heavy load or tow a trailer with higher ground clearance, make sure to do your research and talk to an expert about the best hitch for your needs.