Ball Size

[weldingisfun]

Eddie, the CM Stocker trailer, 16 foot, like you said you wanted, comes with brakes on both axles if you get the 5200# axles and it has a 2 5/16" Bulldog hitch. That is what I have and it is great. The trailer brakes my Dodge Ram 2500. I bought it used from up near you, in Mt Pleasant, about 5 or 6 years ago.

 

[EddieWalker]

After doing some looking at trailers yesterday, I think I'm making a mistake with a bumper pull stock trailer. They are just too tight for horses, and I'm not comfortable with trying to make it work. I've decided to get the B&W turnover gooseneck ball for my truck bed and install it myself. Then I will buy a 3 horse slant load gooseneck trailer. Probably used, and probably aluminum.

I think for the long term, this will be something that I will enjoy having instead of regret buying.

But back to ball size, I am curious why the pin that attaches that hitch isn't brought up? Seems to me that it is the weak link to everything. I would expect it to sheer before something happens to the ball.

Thank you,
Eddie

 

[weldingisfun]

Whatever you decide on, with an F-150 you should look at a trailer with brakes on both axles. Figure three horses would weigh around 3000 to 3600 #, add the weight of the trailer. You want all that weight controlled by the trailer.
Can't answer your question about the hitch pin, but you are right. It does seem to bee the weak link. Someone out there knows.

 

[newbury]

<snip>
But back to ball size, I am curious why the pin that attaches that hitch isn't brought up? Seems to me that it is the weak link to everything. I would expect it to sheer before something happens to the ball.

Thank you,
Eddie

I think you will be happier with the gooseneck.
Concerning the "pin" that attaches the hitch do you mean the shank on the ball?
Those also are normally thicker for heavier duty balls and are usually part of the ball (not always).
For example 2" balls come w/ 3/4 and 1" shanks. I guess generally bigger balls, bigger shanks.

 

[aczlan]

I think you will be happier with the gooseneck.
Concerning the "pin" that attaches the hitch do you mean the shank on the ball?
Those also are normally thicker for heavier duty balls and are usually part of the ball (not always).
For example 2" balls come w/ 3/4 and 1" shanks. I guess generally bigger balls, bigger shanks.

I think he means the pin that holds the ball mount into the receiver? If so, this was discussed a while back: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/trailers-transportation/182179-hitch-pins.html

Aaron Z

 

[EddieWalker]

Interesting thread. It sounds like the pin is plenty strong enough for anything you can pull.

Eddie

 

[Diamondpilot]

After doing some looking at trailers yesterday, I think I'm making a mistake with a bumper pull stock trailer. They are just too tight for horses, and I'm not comfortable with trying to make it work. I've decided to get the B&W turnover gooseneck ball for my truck bed and install it myself. Then I will buy a 3 horse slant load gooseneck trailer. Probably used, and probably aluminum. I think for the long term, this will be something that I will enjoy having instead of regret buying. But back to ball size, I am curious why the pin that attaches that hitch isn't brought up? Seems to me that it is the weak link to everything. I would expect it to sheer before something happens to the ball. Thank you, Eddie

It takes about 55,000# of force to shear a 5/8" non hardened hitch pin. You will break the hitch itself before the pin.

Chris

 

[dstig1]

The pin is in double shear - there is no better mode you could ask for, from a mechanical engineering standpoint, for metal parts. And frankly it is in double shear in 2 places, so the load is reduced by half on each side. The pin is typically not going to be an issue...

 

[TomSeller]

I think you will be happier with the gooseneck.

curious what a professional installation of a turnover gooseneck ball runs?

 

[dragoneggs]

The pin is in double shear - there is no better mode you could ask for, from a mechanical engineering standpoint, for metal parts. And frankly it is in double shear in 2 places, so the load is reduced by half on each side. The pin is typically not going to be an issue...

Quite right Dave!