Securing trailer balls

[CCWKen]

I just get my B.I.L. to tighten mine.

We were installing a receiver hitch on his truck once and he didn't have a torque wrench. The bolts were new 9/16" grade-8 and he asked how tight should they be. I told him to get them as tight as you can with the 1/2" ratchet. He promptly sheared the bolt just before where it entered the nut. I'm glad I wasn't close when it let go. I heard a pop and the nut and lock washer ricocheting under the truck. I bought him a torque wench for Christmas after that.

 

[aczlan]

Never had an issue with one coming loose, but I tighten them by putting the ball mount in sideways and put all my weight on the wrench.

Aaron Z

 

[sklunk]

We got slightly off topic talking about keeping the balls locked in the mount (I don't think that's what the OP asked about) but tons of good info! If you are really worried about the ball coming loose from the hitch you can get ones where the ball is permanently attached (most of the dual and triple ones are this way). You can also Google "locking ball mount" and some other options will come up. Also Reese now makes ball mounts with a hex machined into them. The ball then has a mating hex that locks it into the mount when you tighten it (but you have to buy the balls from Reese as well):

Reese Towpower 2 1/2 in. drop Interlock hitch ball mount 219- ReadReviews onReese Towpower #219
(one example but they make larger capacities)

 

[Midniteoyl]

How do you guys secure trailer balls? I have had them come loose in the past and it is always a fear of mine so I always put a a small tack weld between the nut and threads after I torque it down. I don't get it hot enough to affect the temper of the ball just enough weld to prevent it from unthreading. Was talking to a buddy and he said he tacks the base of the ball to the mount so he can tighten the nut without it rotating then tacks the nut to the bottom of the mount without using a lock washer. Just curious what others are doing.

Use a Jam Nut..

 

[MESSMAKER]

Jam nut and some safety wire or lock tite.

 

[CanDo]

Wow! Good topic - and good posts. I just never thought about it before!

I've always just used a big lock washer that comes with the ball and then tightened the snot out of the nut with my biggest breaker bar. Never have had a problem. However, reading these posts makes me realize that the trailer with a coupler that is adjusted to tight could grab onto the ball and act as breaker bar that is a heck of a lot longer than what I will have used.

I don't like the idea of welding or otherwise buggering up the threads as I have changed them around when I've gotten a new vehicle that needs a different drop distance.

Loctite alone might not be sufficient as Loctite's own literature says that the breakaway force required is somewhere around 250-300 lb/in. Check out the Loctite info here: http://www.loctiteproducts.com/tds/T_LKR_RED_tds.pdf
Many of us have cussed a bit as we've worked to get a nut or bolt loose that has been put on with Loctite but they will come loose if enough force is used (if they don't snap first.)

Perhaps drilling and wire or pin... Gotta think about it but in the meantime I'll just have to keep an eye out - which should be easy enough as I don't leave the hitch in the receiver until I need to pull a trailer.

Again, interesting topic.

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

Lock washer and good torque is usually enough.

Yep. Never had a problem. Don't know what the big deal is. Some of y'all must be doing something wrong.

 

[Travelover]

Yep. Never had a problem. Don't know what the big deal is. Some of y'all must be doing something wrong.

We are coming into the slow season. Time to start solving problems that don't exist.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Yep. Never had a problem. Don't know what the big deal is. Some of y'all must be doing something wrong.

I've seen them come off. My 18,000# trailer could loosen a ball in 600 miles. I finally drilled the nut and shank and put a cotter pin in it. It still spun the ball on the Mount. At that point we gave up and welded it about 1" on each side and problem solved.

Never say never.

 

[Turbys_1700]

If you pull a trailer more than occasionally it can happen. I've been on the farm all of my 57 years. Stuff happens even with the best of precautions.