Preparing Your Vehicle to Tow
Part One: Electrical Setup
Before you hit the road on your first adventure, it’s important to make sure your vehicle is ready to tow your new trailer. This guide walks you through everything you’ll need to know about your trailer’s electrical connection — so pickup day can be smooth, stress-free, and exciting.
Every Timberleaf trailer uses a standard 7-way RV plug — this connects your tow vehicle to your trailer’s running lights, turn signals, and brake lights. It also supports optional features like battery charging, electric trailer brakes, and reverse lights. Our trailers are fully wired to take advantage of all of these features.
Trailer-side 7-way plug — included with your trailer.
What Your Vehicle Needs
Your tow vehicle must have a working 7-way socket (like the ones shown below). You’ll recognize it by its 6 flat pins arranged in a circle around a center pin. The cover door must be present and in good working condition to keep your connection safe from weather and road debris.
If your vehicle doesn’t already have a 7-way plug, you’ll need to have one installed by a qualified mechanic before your pickup appointment.
Understanding the Wiring
Here’s a general guide to the trailer wiring colors. (Keep in mind — your vehicle’s wiring colors might not match exactly.)
• Green — Taillights
• Red — Left turn / Brake light
• White — Ground
• Blue — Electric brakes (optional)
• Brown — Right turn / Brake light
• Black — 12V Battery charge line (optional)
• Yellow — Reverse lights (optional)
Above: 4-way trailer connection — not compatible with Timberleaf trailers.
Above: 7-way trailer plug tester — a simple tool to check your connection.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Arriving with the correct towing setup is critical. Here are a few things to double-check before your trip:
- ✅ Your vehicle has a proper 7-way socket — 4-way flat plugs (common on passenger cars) will not work with our trailers.
- ✅ The plug is clean and free of corrosion — Plugs on vehicles older than 5 years or exposed to road salt/coastal air are especially vulnerable.
- ✅ Your vehicle’s trailer wiring is tested and fully functional — Don’t assume it’s working just because the plug is there!
One of the best ways to prepare is to test your connection ahead of time. We highly recommend picking up a simple 7-way plug tester — it’s inexpensive and easy to use.
Pro Tips for Pickup Day
- ✔️ Test Your Lights: Confirm your tail lights, brake lights, and turn signals work with a plug tester before you arrive.
- ✔️ Double-Check the Door: Make sure the 7-way socket door closes securely to protect the connection.
- ✔️ Carry Spare Fuses: A blown fuse is a quick fix if you lose lighting function — easy to swap on the road!
- ✔️ Clean the Contacts: A quick spray of electrical contact cleaner keeps your connection strong and reliable.
Preparing Your Vehicle To Tow
Part Two: Tow Hitch
In part two of our educational series, we’ll help you get your vehicle ready for your first trip with your new Timberleaf trailer. Our goal is to give you the information you need to arrive on pickup day feeling confident, prepared, and ready for adventure.
In this article, we’ll focus on the tow hitch—one of the key parts of a safe towing setup.
A tow hitch is a heavy-duty steel component that attaches to your vehicle’s frame. It creates a secure anchor point for safely towing your trailer. Some vehicles come with a tow hitch from the factory (often called a tow package), but many do not.
Tow hitches are rated by class, based on their strength:
- Class 1 & 2: Light-duty, usually with smaller 1-1/4″ receiver openings.
- Class 3: Medium-duty, with larger 2″ receiver openings—ideal for Timberleaf trailers.
- Class 4: Heavy-duty, for very large trailers.
For all Timberleaf trailers, we recommend a Class 3 hitch with a 2-inch receiver.
Shown above: 2-inch receiver (top) vs. 1-1/4-inch receiver (bottom).
The larger 2-inch receiver is important because:
- Our trailers use 2-inch tow balls and the Max-Coupler articulating hitch—both are not compatible with smaller 1-1/4-inch hitches.
- The 2-inch size provides stronger, more stable towing performance.
If your vehicle only has a 1-1/4-inch hitch (common on smaller SUVs and crossovers), we recommend having a qualified mechanic install a 2-inch receiver. Brands like Curt, Draw-Tite, and U-Haul offer excellent options.
Special Note: Tow Hitch Strength vs. Vehicle Capacity
A Class 3 hitch might be rated to tow up to 7,000 pounds—but that doesn’t mean your vehicle can tow that much.
When towing, your limit is always determined by the weakest link in your setup. If you install a 7,000-pound hitch on a vehicle rated to tow only 1,500 pounds, your real limit remains 1,500 pounds.
To find your vehicle’s true towing capacity:
- Check your owner’s manual for tow ratings and tongue weight limits.
- If you can’t find it, consult your dealership.
Quick Tip: Tongue weight (the downward force the trailer puts on your hitch) is usually about 10% of your total towing capacity. Always stay within your rated limits for safety!
Preparing Your Vehicle To Tow
Part Three: Ball Mount
Before you head out on your first adventure with your Timberleaf trailer, it’s important to make sure your vehicle is properly equipped. In this part of our series, we’ll guide you through selecting the right ball mount—a key connection between your trailer and your vehicle—to help ensure a smooth, safe, and stress-free pickup day.
The ball mount, often called a “drop hitch,” is the sturdy, zig-zag-shaped piece that fits into your vehicle’s tow hitch. It lets us adjust the trailer’s attachment height so that your trailer rides level behind your vehicle—critical for both safe handling and a polished, adventure-ready look on the road.
Keeping your trailer level while towing isn’t just about appearances—it’s essential for safe, predictable handling on the road. Your ball mount plays a major role in that.
Here’s what to know:
- Drop and Rise: Ball mounts are labeled by their drop or rise. Simply put, a “rise” ball mount is a “drop” ball mount flipped upside-down.
- Choosing Orientation: Depending on your trailer and tow vehicle combo, you may need your ball mount set up for either a drop or a rise to keep your trailer level.
Weight Ratings Matter
Just like tow hitches, ball mounts have load capacities. You’ll find the rating stamped on the ball mount or listed on its label. Always match your towing setup to the **lowest-rated** component to stay within safe limits.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Most Class 3 ball mounts are rated for at least 3,500 pounds.
- We recommend sticking with a 3,500-lb minimum rating whenever possible, even if your trailer weighs less.
Choosing the Right Ball Mount
You can find ball mounts at most hardware and auto parts stores—or online from trusted sources like Etrailer.com. When shopping, here’s what you’ll need:
- Proper drop or rise based on our hitch height guide
- Correct size for your tow hitch receiver
- With or without a tow ball (depending on your trailer suspension package)
- Ball mount with a 1-inch diameter hole
What you’ll need based on your trailer:
- Standard Suspension: You’ll need a ball mount with a 2-inch tow ball.
- All-Road and Off-Road Suspensions: You’ll need a ball mount without a ball installed, for connection to the included Max-Coupler articulating hitch.
Important Note:
For Max-Couplers, we require a new ball mount, with no ball installed. We cannot install the Max-Coupler onto a used ball mount.
Preparing Your Vehicle To Tow
Part Four: Safety Equipment
Towing isn’t just about the right gear—it’s about making sure everything is backed up, secured, and safe. In this part of our series, we’ll walk you through the essential safety equipment needed for a confident, stress-free trip.
At Timberleaf, we believe in a thorough, consistent approach to towing safety. That means following the same mental checklist every time you hitch up, leaving nothing to chance.
Here’s a look at the critical safety gear you’ll be working with:
Included with your Timberleaf trailer:
- Coupler: 2-inch ball coupler (Standard) or Max-Coupler (All-Road and Off-Road)
- 5/8-inch hitch pin: Secures the coupler to the trailer
- Two safety chains with keepers
- Tongue jack for raising and lowering the trailer
- Lynch pin for 2-inch ball couplers
- 5/8-inch handle pin for Max-Couplers
- 7-way electrical cable for trailer lighting and power
What you’ll need to bring:
- Ball mount (with or without a tow ball, depending on your trailer)
- 5/8-inch hitch pin & cotter pin to secure the ball mount to your tow hitch
- Tow hitch, Class 3, installed and ready
- 7-way electrical plug, installed and tested
Preparing Your Vehicle To Tow
Part Five: Optional Equipment
Every adventure is different, and while not every tow vehicle needs optional gear, a few smart upgrades can make your towing experience even better.
In this section, we’ll cover additional features you might want your vehicle outfitted with—whether to boost safety, improve control, or simply add convenience on the trail.
Optional features commonly built into your 7-way connection:
- Trailer brakes (electric brake controller): Required for trailers with electric brakes; adds significant stopping power.
- Battery charge line: Allows your trailer’s onboard battery to charge while driving.
- Reverse lights circuit: Useful for better visibility when backing up your trailer at night or in tight spaces.
If your vehicle has a factory-installed 7-way plug, it likely already includes most of these features, except for the brake controller.
If you’re installing a 7-way from scratch, we recommend confirming which of these options you’d like added.
Before visiting a mechanic:
- Test your vehicle’s 7-way connection (most trailer rental locations can assist).
- Check if additional features are pre-installed before scheduling upgrades.
🚙 Helpful Towing Tips
- ✅ Check your receiver size—make sure it’s 2 inches.
- ✅ Confirm your trailer ball size is 2 inches.
- ✅ Install a weight-rated Class 3 hitch (or better).
- ⚠️ Never exceed the lowest-rated part of your towing setup.
- ⚡ Double-check that all bolts and hardware are tight before towing.
- 🔍 If unsure, have a trusted mechanic inspect your hitch setup.
🚐 Trailer Hitch Height Guide
How to Choose the Right Drop or Rise Hitch for Your Timberleaf Trailer
Getting ready to pick up your teardrop trailer? We want the handoff to be smooth and stress-free, so we’ve put together this simple guide to help you figure out what kind of hitch you’ll need for your vehicle.
This guide works for any Timberleaf trailer — and honestly, it works for most bumper-pull trailers out there. Let’s walk through it step by step.
📏 Why Hitch Height Matters
To tow safely, your trailer should sit level behind your vehicle. If your vehicle’s hitch sits higher or lower than the trailer’s coupler, you’ll need a drop or rise hitch to make up the difference.
🧮 How to Calculate Drop or Rise
You only need two measurements:
-
A: Vehicle Receiver Height – Measure from the ground to the top of your vehicle’s hitch receiver tube.
-
B: Trailer Coupler Height – Measure from the ground to the bottom of the trailer coupler (where the ball or Max-Coupler attaches), while the trailer is parked level.
Then subtract: A – B = C
-
If C is positive, you need a drop hitch.
-
If C is negative, you need a rise hitch.
🔢 Timberleaf Coupler Heights
Use these numbers for B, depending on your trailer’s suspension:
-
Standard Package (all trailers): 13¼”
-
All-Road Package (all trailers): 15½”
-
Off-Road Package (Kestrel & Pika): 19″
-
Off-Road Package (Classic): 21″
Note: If you requested custom tires, your trailer height may differ slightly.
✍️ Examples
Example 1:
You have a Subaru Outback (receiver height: 14¾”)
You’re picking up a trailer with the All-Road Package (coupler height: 15½”)
14.75″ – 15.5″ = -0.75″ → You need a ¾” rise hitch
Example 2:
You have a Toyota Tacoma (receiver height: 18″)
You’re picking up a Classic with Off-Road Package (coupler height: 21″)
18″ – 21″ = -3″ → You need a 3″ rise hitch
Example 3:
You have a crossover SUV (receiver height: 16″)
You’re picking up a Standard Package trailer (coupler height: 13¼”)
16″ – 13.25″ = 2.75″ → You need a 2¾” drop hitch
⚙️ What Hitch Do You Need?
All Timberleaf trailers come with the coupler hardware already installed. You’ll just need the right ball mount for your tow vehicle.
| Suspension Package | Coupler Type | You Need to Bring |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 2” Ball Coupler | Ball mount with 2” ball (drop or rise) |
| All-Road | Max-Coupler | Drop or rise mount (no ball) with 1” hole |
| Off-Road | Max-Coupler | Drop or rise mount (no ball) with 1” hole |
Not sure what you need? Send us your vehicle height and trailer model — we’re happy to double-check it for you.