The best slide-in trailer hitch ball mount depends on your receiver size, trailer height, and towing capacity. For a simple fixed setup, the RETRUE offers a 2-inch drop and a stated 7,500-pound capacity; the Nilight mount provides a 4-inch drop and includes a hitch pin. Choose OPENROAD if you need height adjustment, or Orion Motor Tech if its 8,000-pound rating and reversible drop-and-rise design suit your towing needs. Always verify the ratings of every part in your towing setup before hauling.
| Product | Best For | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| RETRUE 2-Inch Ball Mount | Fixed, 2-inch-drop setup | Anti-theft design; 7,500-pound capacity |
| AC-DK Ball Mount | A ready-to-connect kit | Ball, pin, and clip included |
| Nilight 4-Inch Drop Mount | Trailers needing a larger drop | 4-inch drop and 3-inch rise |
| OPENROAD Adjustable Mount | Changing trailer heights or ball sizes | Adjustable height and interchangeable balls |
| Orion Motor Tech Mount | Higher stated capacity in a fixed mount | 8,000-pound rating; reversible design |
RETRUE 2-Inch Ball Mount
This slide-in ball mount is designed for a standard 2-by-2-inch receiver and has a 2-inch drop. RETRUE lists a towing capacity of 7,500 pounds and describes an anti-theft design intended to help prevent unauthorized removal.
Best for: Drivers with a 2-inch receiver who want a fixed drop and a built-in anti-theft feature. It is a straightforward option when the 2-inch drop matches the trailer-height measurement.
Limitation: The mount has a fixed drop, so it does not offer the height adjustment described for adjustable models. Confirm that its ball size and capacity suit the trailer.
AC-DK Ball Mount With Included Pin
The AC-DK mount fits a standard 2-inch receiver and is rated for 7,500 pounds gross trailer weight and 750 pounds tongue weight. Its listed components include a 2-inch chrome ball, a 5/8-inch hitch pin, and a safety clip. The ball has a chrome-plated finish, while the mount has a black powder coating.
Best for: Buyers who want a fixed mount with the ball and basic receiver-retention hardware included. The pin and clip can reduce the need to source those parts separately.
Limitation: The product information says to tighten the ball with tools until the anti-loosening nut is fully seated. This is not an adjustable-height mount.
Nilight 4-Inch Drop Ball Mount
This Nilight model fits a 2-inch receiver and provides a 4-inch drop or 3-inch rise. It is rated for 7,500 pounds gross trailer weight and 750 pounds tongue weight. The 1-inch ball hole accommodates standard trailer balls, and the package includes a 5/8-inch hitch pin and retaining clip.
Best for: Owners who measure a need for more drop than a typical 2-inch-drop mount provides. The rise option gives another configuration, and the included pin and clip are useful for installation.
Limitation: The listing describes a ball mount with a ball hole, so a compatible trailer ball is needed. Check the ball size required by the trailer coupler before ordering.
OPENROAD Adjustable Ball Mount
OPENROAD’s mount fits a 2-inch receiver and is rated for 7,500 pounds gross trailer weight. Its stated adjustment range is a 9.5-inch drop or an 8.25-inch rise. The 1-inch ball hole is listed as accommodating 1-7/8-inch, 2-inch, and 2-5/16-inch hitch balls; pins hold the selected ball in place.
Best for: Drivers who tow trailers with different coupler sizes or need more height adjustment than a fixed mount provides. The adjustment range and ball-size options make it the most flexible choice in this group.
Limitation: The listing does not say that hitch balls are included. Check the package contents and select a ball with the appropriate size and rating.
Orion Motor Tech Reversible Mount
This mount has a 2-inch receiver shank and 2-inch ball. Orion Motor Tech lists an 8,000-pound gross trailer weight rating and says the product was SAE J684 tested. Reversing the mount provides either a 2-inch drop or a 3/4-inch rise.
Best for: Buyers who want a fixed-ball mount with a higher stated capacity than the other fixed options here, along with a simple way to switch between drop and rise.
Limitation: Its two height positions are not a broad adjustable range. The 8,000-pound listing does not replace checking the ratings of the vehicle, receiver, ball, and trailer.
Buying Guide: How To Choose A Slide-In Trailer Hitch
What does “slide-in” mean?
A slide-in ball mount has a shank that inserts into a hitch receiver and is held in place with a pin or other retention hardware. These products are designed for 2-inch receivers. Measure or check the receiver size on your vehicle rather than assuming a mount will fit.
How do you choose the right drop or rise?
Measure the height of the receiver opening and the trailer coupler on level ground, then compare the difference with the mount’s stated drop or rise. The goal is a level trailer when connected. A fixed 2-inch drop may work for one setup, while a 4-inch drop or adjustable mount may suit a different height difference.
Which towing rating should you check?
Compare gross trailer weight and tongue weight with the limits for the vehicle, receiver, ball mount, and ball. The usable capacity is limited by the lowest-rated component. Match the ball diameter to the trailer coupler and follow the product’s installation instructions.
Is a fixed or adjustable mount better?
A fixed mount is a simpler choice when one ball size and one hitch height work for the trailer. An adjustable mount is more practical when trailer heights or coupler ball sizes vary. Verify which balls and pins are included before purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a 2-inch slide-in mount fit every vehicle?
No. It fits a 2-inch receiver, but the vehicle must have that receiver size and an appropriate towing rating.
Does a 7,500-pound mount mean the vehicle can tow 7,500 pounds?
No. The vehicle, receiver, hitch ball, and other towing components may have lower limits. Follow the lowest applicable rating.
Do these mounts include a trailer ball?
Some do and some do not. AC-DK and Orion Motor Tech list a 2-inch ball. Check each product’s package details for included components.
Can a drop hitch also provide rise?
Some models can. The Nilight 4-inch-drop mount lists a 3-inch rise, and the Orion Motor Tech mount can be reversed for a 3/4-inch rise.
Should the trailer be level when towing?
A level trailer is the stated goal of the Nilight height-adjustment guidance. Measure the connected setup and use the mount position that best matches the trailer and vehicle heights.