Best Adjustable Drop Hitches for Lifted Trucks
- Up to six-inch drop
- Flippable dual-ball design
- Weather-resistant and durable
- Quiet anti-rattle system
- Works with several ball and pintle systems
- Holds up to 18,500 pounds of GTW
- Corrosion-resistant
- Sleek chrome plating
- Secure dual-pin lock
- Significant drop distance
- Comes with tri-ball hitch
- Very versatile setup options
- Up to seven-inch drop
- Supports up to 10,000 pounds of GTW
- Easy to adjust
- Stays out of the way when not in use
1. CURT 45900 Adjustable Trailer Hitch – Best All-Around Product
First impressions: This drop hitch hits all the marks and has the basic features most would need. It’s made of durable alloy steel and features a very flexible design.
Overall, the drop hitch is quite durable. The ball attachment uses two secure pins. Thanks to some innovative engineering, the CURT hitch is surprisingly quiet and prevents rattling! Check out also the updated model CURT 45902 with a gross trailer weight capacity of up to 20,000 lbs.
- Up to six-inch drop
- Flippable dual-ball design
- Weather-resistant and durable
- Quiet anti-rattle system
- Works with several ball and pintle systems
- Finish is prone to damage in cold weather
2. Weigh Safe 180 Hitch CTB8-2.5 Adjustable Drop Hitch – Best for Heavy-Duty Trucks
If you have a larger heavy-duty truck and a sizable load to haul, this hitch from Weigh Safe may be for you. It’s a beautifully made hitch that’s just as durable as it looks! Thanks to the chrome plating, it adds a nice touch to your truck while also offering some protection from the weather.
Weigh Safe CTB8-2.5 is a drop hitch that’s built for tough jobs. With a maximum drop distance of eight inches, it works well with taller lift kits.
- Holds up to 18,500 pounds of GTW
- Corrosion-resistant
- Sleek chrome plating
- Secure dual-pin lock
- Significant drop distance
- Lock prone to sticking
3. B&W Trailer Hitches TS20049B Tow & Stow Receiver – Best Product for Multiple Trailers
Next up, we have this unique drop hitch from B&W Trailer Hitches. It features an innovative ball combination with three different sizes. When you need to switch trailers, just turn the ball set to accommodate the coupler you’re pairing it with.
If you need versatility, you can’t go wrong with this hitch. The flippable hitch offers up to seven inches of drop and seven and a half inches of lift. It’s adjustable in so many different ways, giving you ultimate flexibility.
- Comes with tri-ball hitch
- Very versatile setup options
- Up to seven-inch drop
- Supports up to 10,000 pounds of GTW
- Easy to adjust
- Stays out of the way when not in use
- Can rattle in rough driving conditions
4. GEN-Y GH-524 Adjustable Drop Hitch – Most Durable Option
Check out this heavy-duty drop hitch from GEN-Y! Take one look at it and there’s no question about its build quality. This thing is made out of tough hardened steel and features a strong design that can hold up to a lot of weight.
Cosmetics aside, this drop hitch doesn’t disappoint! It’s super durable and can hold up well to years of use!
- Impressive 16,000 pound GTW capacity
- Made of hardened steel
- Easy to adjust
- Durable and robust pin holes
- Finish is susceptible to chipping
5. MaxxHaul 70380 Black/Chrome Drop Hitch – Most Affordable
Last but not least, we have this affordable option from MaxxHaul. It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles as some other drop hitches. But, that doesn’t mean it’s not a suitable choice!
This hitch offers an adjustable drop of up to six and a half inches. Flip it over and you can get a seven and a half inch lift. The no-frills drop hitch is made out of durable stainless steel and has all of the core features you would need to haul safely.
All in all, this is a good choice if you’re on a budget. It’s durable and flexible enough to meet the needs of most.
- Flippable
- Secure dual-pin design for ball mount
- Durable steel construction
- Fits all 2-inch receivers
- Affordably priced
- Can be noisy on bumpy roads
Choosing the Best Drop Hitch for Lifted Trucks
Your tow hitch is instrumental in helping you haul cargo safely from point A to point B.
This isn’t a purchasing decision you should take lightly!
To help guide you in the right direction, here are some important considerations to make while you find the perfect drop hitch for you.
Drop Distance
The drop distance is the amount of vertical space the hitch offers. This can vary widely from hitch to hitch. Before you invest in a new piece of gear, it’s important to take some accurate measurements!
Put your trailer and your lifted truck on level ground. Position the trailer coupler close to the receiver so you can better gauge the height difference.
Now, measure the distance from the ground to the inside of the top of your truck’s receiver tube. Then, measure from the ground to the bottom of the trailer coupler. Subtract the second measurement from the first and you have the necessary drop distance!
Adjustability
As mentioned earlier, many drop hitches have adjustable heights. If you plan on hauling different trailers, it’s certainly an investment worth considering. You can also find models that are “flippable.” With these units, you can reinstall the hitch upside down to haul trailers that are taller than your truck’s receiver.
Weight Capacity and Hitch Class
Here’s an important consideration you don’t want to ignore!
Not all trucks are capable of lifting heavy-duty loads! Many factors go into your vehicle’s towing capabilities. Always check with your manufacturer or owner’s manual to learn about your truck’s towing capacity.
From there, you’ll have a better idea of the hitch class you need. The hitch class refers to the capabilities of the hitch itself. You must match the hitch class to your trailer as well as your truck.
Two specifications impact hitch class. These include gross trailer weight (GTW) and tongue weight (TW).
The GTW is the maximum weight of the trailer and its contents. Think of it as the total weight of everything you’re hauling behind the truck. Meanwhile, the TW is the maximum amount of weight that’s pressing down on your hitch.
With these two specs in mind, here are the available classes for your drop hitches.
- Class 1: 2,000 pounds GTW and 200 pounds TW
- Class 2: 3,500 pounds GTW and 350 pounds TW
- Class 3: 8,000 pounds GTW and 800 pounds TW
- Class 4: 10,000 pounds GTW and 1,000 pounds TW
- Class 5: up to 25,000 pounds GTW and 4,000 pounds TW
There are also several sub-classes. This is especially true with Class 5 hitches, as heavy-duty commercial trucks can handle a lot more than consumer trucks.
How Does a Drop Hitch Work?
Drop hitches are pretty rudimentary in the grand scheme of things. Essentially, they are nothing more than a hitch extension. But rather than focusing on horizontal length, it provides vertical flexibility.
In most cases, a drop hitch attaches to any standard hitch receiver. Secure it with a pin and you’re good to go! Depending on the design of the hitch, you may get anywhere between two and 10 inches of additional vertical space.
Some models even come with adjustable tow balls, giving you even more versatility.
Do You Really Need a Drop Hitch?
There are no denying the benefits of having a lifted truck. Not only does it look cool, but more lift provides more ground clearance and better off-road performance.
However, it’s not the most practical choice for hauling trailers, campers, or cargo vans. Lift kit laws can vary from state to state, but high-quality kits and solid tires can add several inches of height to the chassis. With extreme kits, you can go as high up as 24 inches!
Now, that’s all good and well for most driving situations. But when you compare the height of your trailer coupler to the height of the existing hitch, you start to see some problems! You can’t safely connect trailers to taller hitches. If you do, you run the risk of losing that reliable connection. Plus, you can end up dragging the tail-end of your trailer!
A drop hitch solves that problem, allowing you to haul trailers confidently.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I know if I need a drop hitch?
The easiest way to tell if you need a drop hitch is by simply looking at the height difference between the trailer coupler and your existing hitch. An inch or two of difference isn’t going to make a huge difference. But if there’s a significant discrepancy, you’ll need to invest in a drop hitch to stay safe on the road.
2. Can you increase tongue weight?
There’s no way to change the maximum tongue weight on your hitch. But, you can make adjustments by balancing the load.
Moving the weight of your cargo forward or back on the trailer will impact the pressure on the tongue. This could affect sway and control.
3. Can you increase towing capacity on a truck?
The only method of increasing your truck’s total towing capacity is to upgrade its performance. That would involve upgrading the engine, getting a better axle, and more.
However, you can get a weight-distribution hitch. This won’t help you exceed the maximum payload specifications of your truck. But, it can help you get higher towing capacities for the hitch itself.
4. How do you adjust the height of a hitch?
Adjusting the height of a drop hitch is pretty simple. Most feature incremental lock points. Making adjustments is a matter of removing your existing pins on the ball mount, moving them to the desired position, and locking everything in.
Conclusion
Drop hitches are a must-have for any lifted truck. They help to bridge the gap between the hitch and the trailer. No more worrying about lowering your truck or questionable trailer connections! With a solid drop hitch, you can tow anything your truck can handle!
Of all of our recommended picks, the CURT 45900 hitch is the clear winner of this roundup. The hitch is a good universal option that will fit the needs of most truck owners. Thanks to the adjustable six-inch drop, you’re getting enough flexibility to haul large trailers, cargo vans, and more. Plus, the flippable design will cover you on those rare occasions when you need a lift!
Check it out for yourself and see what you think! You won’t be disappointed!
