Share Pics of People Hauling or Towing Something Wrong

   / Share Pics of People Hauling or Towing Something Wrong #20,761  
What was going on with this and what was the need or intent? There already is a coupler on the black trailer so why the silver coupler add on? Did he twist the safety chains on purpose?

In any event, that must have been a harrowing 60 seconds when the thing thrashed itself to a stop while doing $4,000 (?) damage to the vehicle.
 
   / Share Pics of People Hauling or Towing Something Wrong #20,762  
Okay, just guessing here:
What was going on with this and what was the need or intent? There already is a coupler on the black trailer so why the silver coupler add on?
He probably had a 2" ball mounted, but trailer coupler was 1-7/8". So instead of buying a new ball, he bought that coupler and bolted it to the trailer.
Did he twist the safety chains on purpose?
Yes, to shorten them. Usually done to keep them from dragging on the ground, but here just out of poor judgement.
 
   / Share Pics of People Hauling or Towing Something Wrong #20,763  
He probably had a 2" ball mounted, but trailer coupler was 1-7/8". So instead of buying a new ball, he bought that coupler and bolted it to the trailer.
Probably correct. What I want to know is who the heck decided that there was a significant difference between a 1-7/8" ball and a 2" ball and made each a standard. 2-5/16" makes a little more sense as a different standard. If I was the decider, everything in the light towing world would be 2-5/16".
 
   / Share Pics of People Hauling or Towing Something Wrong #20,764  
He probably had a 2" ball mounted, but trailer coupler was 1-7/8". So instead of buying a new ball, he bought that coupler and bolted it to the trailer.
I think it's more likely that the coupler was larger than the ball.

That could very well be a 2-5/16 coupler. And if they didn't have the correct tools, changing the ball instead was ruled out in favor of a destined to fail coupler change.
 
   / Share Pics of People Hauling or Towing Something Wrong #20,765  
1-7/8 is a waste of time. 2" will bolt on in place of it, on a light trailer. I've done this on everything to standardize and make life simpler.

I'm just towing with the Subaru or Focus (or my 18 & 24 hp tractors) so there's no need for anything stronger.
 
   / Share Pics of People Hauling or Towing Something Wrong #20,766  
I've been towing for 60 years & never needed anything larger then 2"
1 7/8 worked for many a year.
 
   / Share Pics of People Hauling or Towing Something Wrong #20,767  
I've been towing for 60 years & never needed anything larger then 2"
1 7/8 worked for many a year.
I don't think it matters for how long somebody has been towing, but what does count is what they're towing.

I doubt that there are many trailers with a 7,000 lb. GVWR or more that doesn't come with at least a 2-5/16" coupler. Or a 3", or a lunette eye. And then there are 5th wheels.
 
   / Share Pics of People Hauling or Towing Something Wrong #20,768  
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   / Share Pics of People Hauling or Towing Something Wrong #20,770  
I have changed all of ours to lunette. Have not had an issue.
 

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