Written by: Amber S

Last Updated: 7/25/2024

Est. read time: 15 mins.

The Best Trailer Drop Hitches Money Can Buy

Drop hitches. They're also known as ball mounts, and perhaps better known as the hunk of metal you sometimes bang your shin on behind your vehicle.

Whether you're a first-time drop hitch purchaser or a veteran looking to replace your old rusty model, you may be surprised to know your options are many and varied these days. Various ball mount technology exists for different levels of towing, from the classic powder-coated mount for the occasional hauler, to the mount with the built-in tongue weight scale for those who frequently change trailer loads, to the heavy-duty stacked receivers built for the work site.

With more technology and convenience available than ever before, this is a great time to choose the best drop hitch for your towing setup. Here at etrailer, we've tested, installed, and reviewed hundreds of drop hitches. To make the choice easier for you, we've narrowed down our top choices for the year in three categories: best value drop hitches, best premium drop hitches, and best heavy duty drop hitches.

Is your next drop hitch waiting to be discovered below? Read on to find out.

What's the Best Drop Hitch You Can Buy?

Best Value (About $40-$100)

Best Premium ($200-$700)

Best Heavy Duty *30,000+ lbs GTW ($350-$900)

etrailer Pre-Torqued Ball Mount

WHAT WE LIKE: Simple and effective

This Is For You If:

Sometimes you need a bunch of bells and whistles. But sometimes simplicity is just what the doctor ordered. I introduce to you, effective simplicity. A sleek matte black powder coated finish integrates seamlessly with your vehicle and accessories. Particularly the black nickel plating of the ball mount itself, which looks great, but also passes 72 hours of salt-spray testing, which is 50% longer than the standard chrome ball mounts that flood the market. And because the hitch ball is pre-torqued to factory specs, you can be 100% sure you'll have it properly installed and as tight as it needs to be.

You have plenty of options for capacity too. Graded from 3,500 to 10,000 lbs, and a drop/rise of up to 6", you can rest assured that there will be an option to suit your needs. And let's be honest, there's just something about that matte black finish and black powder coating on the hitch ball itself that puts it head and shoulders above the competition. Especially at a price point that is extremely competitive.

This Is NOT For You If:

If you're towing a variety of trailers often, a static ball mount just isn't going to be as effective. Changing your rise or drop is something that's much easier to do with an adjustable ball mount. So the biggest strength of this ball mount is also its biggest weakness.

If you are wanting something with a similar aesthetic finish, a similarly competitive price point, but has that flexibility of an adjustable ball mount, you should take a look at the etrailer adjustable 2-ball mount.

Draw-Tite Class III Drop Hitch

WHAT WE LIKE: Affordable Price Tag

This Is For You If:

If you're purchasing a drop hitch for one-time or infrequent use, this is a great option, especially if you already have a hitch ball and pin/clip. In fact, Draw-Tite ball mounts are some of our bestsellers. Why? Because we all like getting a quality product without paying extra for features we don't need.

Draw-Tite's black powder coat finish covers an a-coat base for excellent rust protection. Plus, a limited lifetime warranty protects your purchase from the moment it's yours. The angle-cut end makes for easy installation. And really, what more can you ask for than a rust-resistant, warrantied, easy-to-install product?

This Is NOT For You If:

Again, if you're looking for fancy features like built-in scales and locking mechanisms, you'll want to skip down to the premium section.

Also note that this drop hitch does not come with a hitch ball or pin/clip combo. (Again, if this is what you're looking for, keep reading for the Curt mount below.)

Curt Class III Drop Hitch Kit

WHAT WE LIKE: MADE IN USA

This Is For You If:

Our Curt starter kits include everything you need to get going and towing. These kits are for you if plan to tow a single trailer, you want the component-picking process to be as simple as possible, and you want to get your trailer from Point A to Point B without spending a small fortune on parts. The powder-coated drop hitch, pre-torqued hitch ball, and pin and clip are all included (all you need is the hitch receiver and trailer).

If you're someone who finds peace of mind in purchasing from well-established brands, you'll appreciate Curt's place as one of the leading brands in the industry and one of the most trusted among the trailer-towing crowd. Even better, Curt products are made in the USA, so if you're in the US and prefer homegrown products, this Curt kit is perfect for you.

This Is NOT For You If:

As one of our value kits, the Curt drop hitch starter kit has everything you need, but if you're planning on towing frequently or towing multiple trailers, you'll be better served with one of our premium or heavy duty product picks. If you're looking for additional comfort or convenience, keep reading below for a more suitable drop hitch.

etrailer Adjustable 2-Ball Mount

WHAT WE LIKE: Adjustable ball mount that won't break the bank

This Is For You If:

Drop hitches tend to come in two varieties, the pre-set kind, and the adjustable kind. And for the longest time, the largest differentiator for the user was price. If you wanted a pre-set drop, you paid less than if you wanted an adjustable hitch. I am happy to report that this issue is a thing of the past.

If you are towing a variety of trailers, and need an adjustable hitch, but don't feel like dropping hundreds (that's right, hundreds plural) of dollars on a ball mount, this is the answer for you. With multiple ball size options, a drop/rise of up to 6 inches, and being rated for up to 10,000 lbs; the etrailer adjustable 2-ball mount punches well above its weight class in quality. Everyone that said "you get what you pay for" clearly has never seen this thing.

This Is NOT For You If:

Like all adjustable ball mounts, this one really specializes in towing a variety of trailers. If you are towing a single trailer over and over, then you would not need all of this complexity. It won't be a detriment to your towing experience, but you could stand to save some money getting something a bit simpler such as the etrailer Pre-Torqued Ball Mount that we also mentioned in this section.

It's also worth noting that this is only compatible with 2" and 2-5/16" couplers. So if you're towing a trailer with a 1-7/8" coupler (or any other size) this won't be an option for you.

B&W Tow & Stow 3-Ball Drop Hitch

WHAT WE LIKE: STOW-AWAY DESIGN

This Is For You If:

If you're going to be frequently switching between trailers with different rises/drops and different hitch ball sizes, you owe it to yourself to get an adjustable drop hitch like the B&W Tow & Stow. Most Tow & Stows are $250 - $375, which is a bargain when you consider you're basically getting every drop hitch you're going to need all at once. Just choose your hitch ball size (3 are included), slide the drop hitch up or down the shank to achieve the right rise or drop, then secure it in place. This makes it easy to switch things up—tow your jon boat to the lake for some sweet solitude, then take the family out in the camper. Whatever the job, the Tow & Stow has you covered.

Why go with the Tow & Stow over the other adjustable drop hitches on this list? If you prefer a less, shall we say, obtrusive design, the Tow & Stow allows you to store the drop hitch beneath your receiver when you're done towing. This is also great if you're someone who finds themselves tripping over things often, because chances are you will bang your shin on this bad boy if you don't stow it...and drop hitches leave a heck of a bruise (ahem, so we've heard).

If you're in the USA, you'll also appreciate that the Tow & Stow is made domestically.

This Is NOT For You If:

If you only plan on towing a single trailer, or you plan on switching very infrequently, you probably don't have a need for the Tow & Stow and may be better served with one of the value drop hitches above.

If you drive at particularly steep angles, you may have ground clearance issues when this drop hitch is in the stored position (though this isn't common).

Fastway 2-Ball Drop Hitch

WHAT WE LIKE: INTEGRATED LOCKS

This Is For You If:

If you tow multiple trailers and value a good security system, the Fastway Adjustable Drop Hitch is an ideal fit.

Like the Tow & Stow above, the Fastway is a heavy-duty adjustable drop hitch built to handle any towing situation. The two stainless steel balls are perfect for switching between your 2" boat trailer coupler and your 2-5-/16" camper coupler.

Where the Fastway differs is with its integrated locking system. If you're the kind of person who misplaces their keys on a regular basis, the Fastway hitch's built-in locks are made for you, since they're completely self-contained inside the ball mount and can't be lost. The system automatically locks the ball mount to your receiver tube and the ball platform to the ball mount—so would-be thieves are defeated in the face of your gear.

You may also appreciate this drop hitch even more for its lightweight aluminumm construction (construction, we might add, that takes place in the USA).

This Is NOT For You If:

Again, if you only plan on towing a single trailer, or switching trailers infrequently, this drop hitch may be more than you need. If it's the security you're after, you can always purchase a hitch lock separately (and just keep really good track of it).

You may also want to consider a different drop hitch if you prefer lifetime-backed products. Unlike B&W, Fastway offers only a 1-year limited warranty.

BulletProof Hitches Adjustable Drop Hitch

BulletProof Hitches Adjustable 2-Ball Drop Hitch

WHAT WE LIKE: SO STRONG, IT COULD HAUL A T-REX

This Is For You If:

Our friend William said it best in his review of the BulletProof drop hitch: "Two words describes this thing; Bad A**."

So we suppose this is for you if you want a bad-a** drop hitch on the back of your vehicle.

In all seriousness, the BulletProof Drop Hitch is designed for hard, heavy-duty work. In particular, these drop hitches are ideal for commercial work in agriculture or industrial fields, with a capacity up to 36,000 lbs. They're perfect for hauling equipment to the construction site or hauling lumber at a logging expedition. (For fun, we Googled the average weight of a T-Rex, and it turns out the BulletProof hitch could haul one, no problem. You know, if Jurassic Park ever becomes a reality.)

On the other hand, that doesn't mean they can't also be used to haul a camper. If you have a hefty trailer, you can choose from dozens of "lighter duty" (we use the term loosely) BulletProof drop hitches rated as low as 10,000 lbs. Basically, BulletProof is all the drop hitch you will ever need if you want to tow something huge (and want your truck to look good while doing it).

What makes it so rough and tough? It all starts with the thick channel plates and welded gusset, which lend strength and sturdiness to the mount. BulletProof Hitches provide the highest weight capacity on the market and are held to such a high standard of testing that the manufacturer has never experienced a failure with a BulletProof drop hitch. In fact, these drop hitches are used by the US military, so they're certainly up for any trailer or agricultural application you have in mind.

BulletProof drop hitches are made in the USA and include a lifetime warranty.

This Is NOT For You If:

If you don't need the crazy weight capacities provided by the BulletProof Hitch, your money may be better spent on a more modest drop hitch at a lower cost. (But come on, who wouldn't love bragging that their drop hitch could haul a T-Rex?)

Gen-Y Torsion Drop Hitch with Stacked Receivers

Gen-Y Torsion 2-Ball Drop Hitch w/ Stacked Receivers

WHAT WE LIKE: STACKED RECEIVERS

This Is For You If:

If your life is going to involve frequent towing and hauling, it will be made a hundred times easier with a Gen-Y hitch. If you appreciate the best, you'll love the built-in shock absorption and torsion technology that limits chucking and jarring for a smooth ride.

Like BulletProof Drop Hitches, these Gen-Y products are ideal for — well, anything, really. If you're going to be towing your 40' rig down the highway and want to take your bikes along, the Gen-Y is up for that. If you're going to be towing your camper with your pickup one weekend and your SUV the next, the Gen-Y makes this a breeze. If you're going to be hauling equipment around a farm or a construction site, the Gen-Y won't break a sweat.

What makes these drop hitches so versatile? Gen-Y's unique stacked receiver design makes it easy to switch between trailers or tow vehicles and achieve the right rise or drop. This design also allows you to both tow a trailer and carry a bike rack or other accessory (yes, at the same time!). Forget the clunky dual hitch extenders that reduce your hitch capacity by 50%. The Gen-Y drop hitch allows you to use one receiver for your accessory and another to pull your trailer without reducing your weight capacity (a weight capacity up to 32,000 lbs).

Gen-Y hitches also come equipped with an integrated tongue weight scale (which is a HUGE bonus!) and are made in the USA. Basically, this is the last drop hitch you'll ever need.

This Is NOT For You If:

The Gen-Y hitch is not what you'd call budget friendly. This is the drop hitch you purchase when the alternative is buying several separate drop hitches for different purposes. For the price, you also only receive a 10-year warranty, whereas other brands (like BulletProof) offer a lifetime warranty on products that cost much less. So if you aren't ready to spend the cash upfront or prefer lifetime-backed products, you may want to consider another drop hitch.

3 Questions to Ask Yourself When Choosing a Drop Hitch

Still not sure which drop hitch model you need? Here's a quick and dirty guide to choosing the best drop hitch. Before purchasing, ask yourself these 3 crucial questions:

Is the drop hitch size compatible with your hitch receiver?
Does the drop hitch have the required weight capacity?
Does the drop hitch have the required rise/drop?

About Amber S

As a content writer for etrailer, I might spend my morning loading and unloading a bike on five different bike racks to figure out which is easiest to use. I might be in the parking lot, taking pictures of an impressive RV battery setup our techs came across in the shop and discussing the benefits of the setup with the owner. I might spend an afternoon in a manufacturer training class for some hands-on experience with new products, and then sit down to assemble all this information into a coherent article.

At etrailer, one of our core values is that we are always learning, and I learn something new every day. I start each morning with the goal in mind of taking all of this information and figuring out the best way to answer the questions people ask us (and the ones they don’t know to ask yet), and helping people get the solutions they need to make their lives easier, safer, and more fun. I’m a DIYer at heart, so it brings me great joy to help a fellow DIYer find what they’re looking for, whether that’s a product, an answer, or a community.

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