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Hitch drop needed - AR240 w/ 2018 F-150

JohnB

Jet Boat Addict
Messages
81
Reaction score
78
Points
117
Location
NE Ohio
Boat Make
Yamaha
Year
2020
Boat Model
AR
Boat Length
24
I'm going to be getting an AR240 this weekend. Tow rig is a 2018 F-150 Crew Cab 4x4 with Max Tow package. What hitch drop/rise are others using with this setup? Want to have what I need so everything rides nice and level from the get-go.
 
I'm going to be getting an AR240 this weekend. Tow rig is a 2018 F-150 Crew Cab 4x4 with Max Tow package. What hitch drop/rise are others using with this setup? Want to have what I need so everything rides nice and level from the get-go.
I have a 2017 F150 SCREW FX4 with max tow and I just went through this problem. I LOVED the way my MFI on my old boat pulled, loved it. I hated this shoreland'r so bad I was going to find a way to buy a new trailer.....UNTIL one day when pulling it out of storage I noticed my 2" drop was pointing ever so slightly down. So, I flipped my 2" drop....but 2" rise was too much, made it look like it tilted back. Off to walmart and found one of those "tri ball" type draw bars that come STRAIGHT out from the hitch receiver. OMFG it's like a completely different trailer. Tows butter smooth without feeling like it was oscillating all over the place.

Basically this:
 
On my last F150 with a 21’ Shoreland’r the straight ball was the way to go, until I put bigger tires on. Then the 2” drop worked perfect. Now for some reason with the FX4 package it seems to be a tad higher than the old one (same year), so I run with the 2” drop. Looks to be perfectly level now. 8942D30B-CC23-46E7-B205-5A706BC3A064.jpeg
 
It's pretty easy to determine what hitch you need with just a tape measure and level. This video is well worth the 1:39 to watch to get it right for nothing else but safety reasons. If I had to guess I'm betting it's probably a 2inch drop unless you have larger tires and/or suspension work done.

 
Like everyone said, you are probably good with a 2" drop hitch.
I would recommend spending a little more and getting an adjustable hitch, super nice to have the flexibility. I won't go back to a set height hitch ever again...
 
I went with a 2" drop on my 2019 Ram Limited & 212S just to add a little bit of protection when removing the boat from the truck. Even with chocked wheels I still get some movement and twice the hitch has taken the scratch vs. the truck bumper (had it been a no drop.) Boat is even-steven when towing.

Also went with an aluminum hitch and stainless ball - no more rust!
 
Ended up deciding on the Weight Safe 4" drop. Aluminum hitch with Stainless 2" and 2-5/16" balls. I liked the hitch configuration and clean lines. The tongue weight is a bonus. Will be curious to see how it works.
 
Ended up deciding on the Weight Safe 4" drop. Aluminum hitch with Stainless 2" and 2-5/16" balls. I liked the hitch configuration and clean lines. The tongue weight is a bonus. Will be curious to see how it works.

I have a 2019 F150 4x4 with max tow package and I'm using a 2" drop flipped to a 3/4" raise. With this setup, my trailer is perfectly level. I have bubble guides on the front and mid section of the trailer to confirm level.
 
2in drop. 2018 F150 4X4 with standard towing.
 

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