What size trailer hitch ball on a 16-18' deck trailer?

[Timmer92]

Good morning,

Heading to an auction today. They have a 16' dovetail deck trailer on the list. I don't know if they are including the dovetail in that length measurement, it would be more common to have an 18' trailer with a 2' dovetail given my research. Would the ball for a trailer usually be a 2" or 2 5/16"? I don't have the larger, I would need to go purchase one.

 

[Citydude]

It should be a 2 5/16 ball.

 

[RickB]

But it might be 2". No way to tell without eyes on it.

 

[fried1765]

Good morning,

Heading to an auction today. They have a 16' dovetail deck trailer on the list. I don't know if they are including the dovetail in that length measurement, it would be more common to have an 18' trailer with a 2' dovetail given my research. Would the ball for a trailer usually be a 2" or 2 5/16"? I don't have the larger, I would need to go purchase one.

I would definitely buy/bring a 2-5/16" ball.
Keep it in the packaging, and keep the receipt.
If you don't need it you can return it.
Don't forget the wenches.

Be careful how high you bid!
Brakes, tires, whl. bearings, break away battery, replacement decking, lights/wiring, can add up fast.

 

[rademamj1]

Typically, any 2-axle trailer is 2 5/6 ball for safety reasons.

 

[RickB]

Typically, any 2-axle trailer is 2 5/6 ball for safety reasons.

SHOULD be, but the 2004 LoadTrail 7K car hauler style I owned proved that not all are.

 

[John0829]

I was looking at a new 7K trailer a couple of weeks ago and it had a 2" hitch, so should and is are two entirely different things. Only way to know is to put eyes on it for it could be either one.

 

[s219]

What is the axle(s) weight rating? Tandem axle I assume? Most likely 2-5/16".

I have seen 2" couplers on some 7000# tandem trailers, but it's rare.

 

[travisbb]

Hitch ball size depends on trailer GVW and how easy the trailer manufacturer wanted to make your life.

Apparently there's quite a range of weights supported by 2" balls, but I've only commonly seen 2" hitches rated for up to 6k and only rarely have seen 8k. There's no way to tell for sure without looking at the trailer.

 

[nisaacs]

Like others have said, you need to see in person. It might even be a pintle ring or a 1-7/8's, lol. If you buy one, make sure the shank will fit your ball mount.

 

[nikerret]

Typically, any 2-axle trailer is 2 5/6 ball for safety reasons.

That is not my experience, at all.


It’s about the weight, not the length or type of trailer, per se. I change all of my bumper pull 2” couplers to 2 5/16”, for extra capability and ease of not changing the ball (even though I just have to flip it over).


I use a Gen-Y that has a 2 5/16” on one side and a 2”, on the other. I can also pull a pintle or a 1 7/8”, with it, after minor adjustments.
My 2 5/16” is rated at 16k and the 2” is rated at 12k.

 

[4570Man]

That is not my experience, at all.


]

Mine either. I hardly ever see trailers below 10,000 pounds with 2-5/16 balls.

 

[nikerret]

Mine either. I hardly ever see trailers below 10,000 pounds with 2-5/16 balls.

From what I’ve seen, by manufacturers, 10k seems to be where the 2 5/16” starts being used, but I still see 2” on 10k trailers. Most, if not all of the sub-10k trailers I’ve seen, with 2 5/16” couplers are because they were option added or after-sale added.

 

[Tinhack]

The little aluminum trailer I rented from Tractor Supply to get my Bad Boy Maverick home had a 2 5/16 ball. I had to change mine out because I thought, for sure, it would be a 2". Luckily, I keep both with the truck. It was a single axle and had the drop-down ramp. I know it wasn't over a 10k trailer. The hitch will be whatever the trailer manufacturer puts on it. Don't assume anything!

 

[ultrarunner]

I like 3 in 1 for just this occasion...

I did change out all my 1-3/4 and 1-7/8 to 2 inch for simplicity...

Still have a small utility I use with Suzuki with 1-7/8.

 

[RandyT]

Hitch ball size depends on trailer GVW and how easy the trailer manufacturer wanted to make your life.

Apparently there's quite a range of weights supported by 2" balls, but I've only commonly seen 2" hitches rated for up to 6k and only rarely have seen 8k. There's no way to tell for sure without looking at the trailer.

Checked a couple of the websites for my local farm stores. And not a single 2 inch balled rated for over 8K unless part of a larger assembly, with several in the 6K range and more than a few in the 3.5K size. There are a lot of 2 axle 7K rated trailers being towed with 5K or less rated balls.

 

[RickB]

Checked a couple of the websites for my local farm stores. And not a single 2 inch balled rated for over 8K unless part of a larger assembly, with several in the 6K range and more than a few in the 3.5K size. There are a lot of 2 axle 7K rated trailers being towed with 5K or less rated balls.

The 7K “rated” LoadTrail I owned with 3500# axles and appropriate tires was manufactured with a 2” 5000lb coupler.

 

[RandyT]

@RickB I am sure your isn't the only trailer that came out of the factory with a hitch rated for less than the trailer rating. and most of those didn't come with brakes either, so in some cases can't be licensed for over 3K.

 

[ultrarunner]

Neighbor rented a Bobcat with grapple and heavy bucket...

Trailer from rental 9980 tagged...

Neighbor was using a 5k two inch ball.

He said that were busy so he just hooked up and left...

 

[RickB]

@RickB I am sure your isn't the only trailer that came out of the factory with a hitch rated for less than the trailer rating. and most of those didn't come with brakes either, so in some cases can't be licensed for over 3K.

Yeah, well this one had brakes on both axles, was plated for 7K and I routinely hauled 5500 lbs on it. Never gave it a second thought.
Only mentioned as a response to the experts here.