cushion ball mount or convert a ball mount

[dennis103]

Anyone using one of these? Are they worth the xtra money and how do they last.

 

[Morning Wood]

If those are the ones that allow the drawbar to slide in the hitch don’t do it. It just wears it out and makes it loose.

 

[cdb2]

I've got one of the cushioned ball mounts from convertaball. I've put somewhere around 5000 miles on but with fairly light loads, typically 4-7000 pounds. Been totally happy with it so far, makes a noticeable difference to the jarring in the pickup especially in stop and go traffic. I have no wear apart from the finish (don't know whether it's paint or powdercoat) but I do put a little grease on it now and then. I'd buy it again.

 

[sklunk]

I think it depends on what you get.

At the lower end are the convert-a-ball ones. They just have a slot in the housing and then a hole for the pin through a polymer bushing. They cost less than the "heavy" ones but do a decent job for the price:
Towing Products

At the higher end are ones made specifically to cushion the load. They are amazing but the price is high. You can also get them with a side-to-side swivel so you don't need to be lined up directly with the trailer:
Towing Equipment