Securing trailer balls

TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark · Sep 24, 2016

I pull regularly. Haven't seen a problem yet. Oh, well.

Morning Wood · Sep 24, 2016

I put the bar in the truck and use a 3/4" welded ratchet with a cheater bar and crank on it as hard as I can. After 1 winter of salt that thing is never coming loose

Cord · Sep 25, 2016

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

See post #17 and then tell me how the problem "Doesn't exist".

cat fever · Sep 25, 2016

I'm going to put myself in the lucky category; I pull all the time and have never had a problem.
One example of a typical load.

Midniteoyl · Sep 25, 2016

Cord said:
See post #17 and then tell me how the problem "Doesn't exist".

Well, that looks more like you failed to check the trailer, and possibly the load, during pit stops as you should do. The ball should also be greased.

bdog · Sep 25, 2016

Trailer balls coming loose isn't a daily occurrence but it does happen. Many forum memebers tow infrequently and it never may be an issue or they are real meticulous and check it before every trip which is always a good idea. We have some trailers that get pulled over 1000 miles a week on a regular basis. With that much use and heavy tongue weights the balls can work loose. Not daily, not weekly, not even really monthly but I have seen it happen. For what it is worth I got the gooseneck ball I was concerned about in the original post as tight as I could with my impact and put two small tack welds in the threads to the nut.

I never move trailer balls. I either cut them off and replace them when worn out or buy a new one if I need to use it somewhere else.

Travelover · Sep 25, 2016

Cord said:
See post #17 and then tell me how the problem "Doesn't exist".

If it was a wide spread problem, they'd come with cotter pins and castle nuts - the ball manufacturer's lawyers would make them. Like others have said, a little common caution and maintenance and your problems are elsewhere.

Redlands Okie · Sep 25, 2016

Piloon's suggestion of altering the threads works great. After using a cheater bar to get the nut tight first. I take a chisel or punch and mess the threads up right under the nut.

yomax4 · Sep 25, 2016

In the land of 10.000 lakes there are a Lot of boat trailers. Not much mentioned about trailer balls coming loose but there is a lot of mention of thieves removing the ball nut to steal a trailer. We hot tack the nut to the hitch in several spots to spare the threads. If you need to take the ball of you can easily remove the weld with a cutoff wheel. Sad to have to do this but it's a different world out there now.