Measure Rise or Drop
Official CURT walkthrough for comparing receiver height to coupler height so you know whether you need drop or rise.
Watch on YouTube →How to Measure Ball Mount Drop (Canada)
A ball mount only works when the trailer sits level. In Canada that usually means measuring how high your hitch receiver sits, how high the trailer coupler sits, and then buying a mount with the right drop or rise. This how-to walks through those measurements in plain language, flags the mistakes we see most often, and points you to the ball-mount, tongue-weight, and receiver-size guides when you are ready to order.
Practical measuring help for Canadian tow setups. Free shipping on CURT ball mounts and hitch gear from Lots of Parts.
Pair this page with the
ball mount guide,
tongue weight explained, and
receiver size guide.
Prefer the full index?
Open the towing guides hub.
Watch these CURT videos first
All four videos are from the official CURT YouTube channel (@curtmfg). Start with the rise-or-drop measuring clip, then the ball-mount selection video. The hitch-selection and technique clips round out the habits you need before you torque anything.
If an embed does not load, use the YouTube link under the card.
Choose a Ball Mount and Ball
Once you know the height difference, match shank size, drop or rise, and hitch-ball diameter to the trailer coupler.
Watch on YouTube →How to Select a Trailer Hitch
Receiver class and opening size still matter — a ball mount only fits the shank your hitch accepts.
Watch on YouTube →CURT Install Techniques
Good habits for seating hardware and torque — useful after you pick the mount and put the hitch to work.
Watch on YouTube →What drop and rise actually mean
Drop means the ball sits lower than the receiver opening. Rise means the ball sits higher. You want the trailer frame roughly level when the coupler is locked on the ball — not nose-down, not nose-up. Level trailers track better, put more honest weight on the tongue, and keep the rear bumper from scraping on driveway lips.
The number stamped on a ball mount (for example a 2 inch drop) is the vertical offset between the top of the shank and the top of the ball platform. It is not a guess based on how the trailer looks in the driveway. Measure, then shop.
How to measure in four clear steps
Park on level ground. Leave typical load in the tow vehicle if you can — an empty SUV sits higher than one packed for a weekend trip. Keep the trailer on its jack with the coupler at the height it will use when hooked.
Step 1Measure receiver height
From the ground straight up to the inside top of the receiver opening. Write that number down in inches.
Step 2Measure coupler height
From the ground straight up to the inside top of the trailer coupler (the surface that sits on the ball). Use the same tape and the same ground reference.
Step 3Compare the two numbers
If the receiver is higher than the coupler, you need drop. If the coupler is higher than the receiver, you need rise. The difference is your starting offset.
Step 4Account for the ball
Hitch balls have their own height. Many shoppers allow about three-quarters of an inch to one inch for a loaded ball, then round to the nearest common mount. When in doubt, watch the CURT measuring video above and err toward a slightly level or slightly nose-up trailer rather than a severe nose-down stance.
Example in everyday words: receiver measures 18 inches, coupler measures 14 inches. The receiver sits 4 inches higher, so you are shopping a drop mount near that difference after you allow for ball height. If the numbers reverse, you are shopping rise instead.
Common mistakes we see
Mistake 1
Measuring on a slope
A driveway grade lies to the tape. Move to flat pavement or a level shop floor before you trust the numbers.
Mistake 2
Empty vehicle, loaded trailer
Measuring with an empty SUV and a loaded trailer stacks the worst case. Use realistic load in the tow vehicle when you can.
Mistake 3
Wrong shank size
A 2 inch mount will not fit a 1.25 inch Class 2 receiver without understanding reducer limits. Read the receiver size guide first.
Mistake 4
Ignoring tongue weight
A level trailer with too little tongue weight can still sway. Height and tongue weight are separate jobs — see tongue weight explained.
Mistake 5
Buying by truck height alone
Saying the truck is tall so you need max drop skips the coupler. Always measure both ends of the connection.
Mistake 6
Forgetting adjustable mounts
If you tow more than one trailer, an adjustable ball mount can cover a range of drops. Confirm the shank class and tongue-weight rating still match your heaviest setup.
After you know the number
Open the ball mount guide to match drop or rise, hitch-ball diameter, and tongue-weight rating. Confirm your receiver opening with the receiver size guide. If the trailer feels light on the tongue once it is level, fix tongue weight before you chase a different drop.
Canadian winters add one more habit: recheck height after you change winter tires or add a roof box. Ride height shifts, and a mount that looked perfect in July can sit differently in January.
Related guides
Ball mount guideDrop, rise, ball size, and ratings
Tongue weight explainedWhy level still needs the right tongue load
Receiver size guide1.25 versus 2 inch openings
Pin, clip, and chainsSecure the mount after it fits
Towing guides hubAll vehicle and topic guides
Shop trailer hitches and mounts
Browse CURT receivers, ball mounts, and wiring with free shipping from Lots of Parts in Canada.
Open hitch collection →Measure twice on level ground, write both heights down, then shop drop or rise with the shank size your receiver actually accepts.
Lots of Parts · Practical Canada how-to for measuring ball-mount drop or rise. No fake reviews, no price games — just the tape-measure steps that keep a trailer level.
