Rear bumper with integrated hitch receiver and drop ball mounts

So, I’m realizing what everyone else already knows, this combo is a bit of a challenge. Throw in a lift and it gets extra tricky.

I am shopping for my first trailer and leaning toward a 5x8 or 5x10 utility w 3500 lb axle. Nothing remotely crazy. But I may desire a beefier setup in the future.

The two tow rigs are a ‘16 Tacoma MT currently on stock gears (4.30?) but I have 4.88’s on the shelf and an ‘02 Tundra w 4.7L and 4.56. The Tacoma has a mild lift from a J66 pack while the Tundra has a custom Deaver pack and more like 3” lift at the rear. Both have steel bumpers with integrated hitch receivers.

I started with a 7” forged ball mount and it works perfectly but set the ball way too high, 23” or so. I just test fit a replacement with 11” drop and it nails the height at 18” but I’ll have to grind the gusset or bumper. I have a 12” drop inbound for the Tundra, these photos are from the Tacoma.

Any advice on what my next best move is would be appreciated. I am holding off on a trailer purchase till I sort this out for both trucks. I’d prefer to tow with the Tundra but I definitely want to be able to tow light (bicycles and kayaks and maybe green waste) with the Tacoma. I may attempt to use the 7” drop mount on my ‘05 Tacoma if I put a hitch on it, but that’s not likely to be super important as it’s the last choice for a tow rig.


This is my problem right now with the 11” drop mount, min insertion maybe 1/2” away


Here are the two that I have, 7” forged Curt on the left and 11” Reese on the right. If I could buy the forged one w 11” drop I would.

 

Curt has a 10" drop or maybe use an extension? Should be ok for under 3,500 lbs? Just suggestions, I have not used either.

Here are links;

https://www.curtmfg.com/part/45892

https://www.amazon.com/Partol-Exten...261-8bf2-2d7d7e68666e&pd_rd_i=B07R4TTLTD&th=1

 

Hard to tell from a pic if the gusset on the Curt 10" drop would would clear. Maybe since it's angled?

 

I’ll give the Curt 45112 (14” length w 10” drop) a try and see. I wonder if 19” plus some weight on the tongue would get me in range. Thanks for the suggestion.