Hitch ball / coupler near disaster

[jyoutz]

I was not suggesting that anyone do so. I should have been more specific and said "Make sure the ball is the correct size for the coupler".

In my case, I tow several trailers with different couplers. I often use a ball that is a size larger than what is stamped on the coupler. It works fine on the dump trailer but can be harder to disconnect.

Sorry for any confusion.

Why not just get one of those multi-ball hitch tubes and always have the right size?

 

[bdhsfz6]

Why not just get one of those multi-ball hitch tubes and always have the right size?

I have one but I need a drop hitch. I have one for each ball size but sometimes, I'm just too lazy to dig out the right one and swap it. The larger ball works well in the trailer with the smaller coupler so most of the time, I just leave it on.

 

[ruffdog]

Using different size balls on the same coupler? What the.....? They are adjustable and should be almost snug to the correct size ball. A different size ball won't fit the radius inside the coupler.

 

[ultrarunner]

Yep... some have multiple balls and others share one shank...

I used the share one shank multi-ball and I didn't realize the pin was missing... could have been very bad.

 

[plowhog]

Whoa... never heard of anyone running any ball size other than the one stamped on the coupler, and would think that has got to be a little dangerous.

I have a 4x8 very light duty trailer (with wood sides) I use to collect downed branches, debris, etc. I pull it using a Polaris RZR.

The hitch ball is mismatched and too small for the trailer coupler. But I know that, am careful with it, and never had a problem.

One day my wife was helping me and made the mistake of climbing into the rear of the trailer to adjust some branches. That's when the tongue raised, it uncoupled, and since it was on an incline she went for a ride.

Fortunately not far, no damage, and it ended up with us both laughing.

 

[CliffordK]

Using different size balls on the same coupler? What the.....? They are adjustable and should be almost snug to the correct size ball. A different size ball won't fit the radius inside the coupler.

Some couplers are adjustable, some aren't. Look for nut at the bottom of the spring below.

I agree that it isn't a good plan to use the wrong ball size. You might get away with it for a few moments, but you're playing with fire.

Having a little extra tongue weight will help keep it all together.

The couplers may wear some (the reason I like to grease mine).

I would like to see some oversized balls in case a coupler gets a little sloppy Say 2 3/8" or 2 7/16" to replace 2 5/16", yet that doesn't seem to be available.

 

[kevin37b]

This is some of the dumbest stuff I

 

[ultrarunner]

I made the ball and hitch on my home made dump trailer...

I was working at a tool and die shop and the owner was very generous letting employees come in Saturday mornings for personal projects... the large overhead gantry crane sure made positioning for optimal welds a breeze.

This thread had me thinking years ago my neighbor brought home a small utility he had just bought and not able to uncouple.

Turns out the 1-7/8 hitch had been pound over a 2 inch ball... that was fun.

My current trailers until recently had 1" balls, 1-3/4, 1-7/8, 2" and 2-3/8

I replaced the 1-3/4 and 1-7/8 hitches with 2" which keeps things simple.

Some couplers are adjustable, some aren't. Look for nut at the bottom of the spring below.

I agree that it isn't a good plan to use the wrong ball size. You might get away with it for a few moments, but you're playing with fire.

Having a little extra tongue weight will help keep it all together.

The couplers may wear some (the reason I like to grease mine).

I would like to see some oversized balls in case a coupler gets a little sloppy Say 2 3/8" or 2 7/16" to replace 2 5/16", yet that doesn't seem to be available.

 

[ruffdog]

I made the ball and hitch on my home made dump trailer...

I was working at a tool and die shop and the owner was very generous letting employees come in Saturday mornings for personal projects...

To save weight, this 2" ball is made of aluminum.... ...no.....just used aluminum to prove out cnc program before using expensive stock.

 

[5030]

I know a few that tow a lot and they keep everything greased... saying it helps.

Exactly what I do. I keep the ball well greased at all times and when not in use but still in the receiver, an orange tennis ball slit on the bottom side keeps the grease off my pant leg if I happen to get too close.

 

[ultrarunner]

I have seen a trailer with twin 1" hitches on the road in years but I did use mine and keep it registered.

 

[WinterDeere]

I find it pretty easy to just make up a hitch / ball combo for each of my trailers, and carry that under the back set of my truck. Once you get past three trailers, you usually find that one you already have made up for one trailer will fit another, so usually we're not looking at more than maybe three or four different combinations. Right now, I actually only have two hitches and three trailers, one being a 6" or 7" drop with a 2" ball and the other being a 4" or 5" drop with a 1-7/8" ball. Both are greased, wearing a condom, and stowed under the back seat where my shin will never accidentally find them in the dark.

I used to use tennis balls, like 5030. Didn't know others also did that. Now I just buy these things for $3/ea.

Amazon.com

Also, for those of you pulling any trailers 7k lb and greater, note that a majority of the drop hitches out there are only rated 6000 lb. So, mind the rating of the hitch, not just the ball, if you're towing 10k lb. dump trailers!

 

[John0829]

Also, for those of you pulling any trailers 7k lb and greater, note that a majority of the drop hitches out there are only rated 6000 lb. So, mind the rating of the hitch, not just the ball, if you're towing 10k lb. dump trailers!

We have some people around here with their jacked up trucks with drop hitches that are 12"+, many with a lot of +. If I see one with a trailer I give em lots of room, especially those with the extra long drops. I know I would not pull anything heavier than a garden cart with some I have seen. Can you even begin to imagine the stresses and torque that kind of setup is being subjected to?

 

[CH4Ohio]

We have some people around here with their jacked up trucks with drop hitches that are 12"+, many with a lot of +. If I see one with a trailer I give em lots of room, especially those with the extra long drops. I know I would not pull anything heavier than a garden cart with some I have seen. Can you even begin to imagine the stresses and torque that kind of setup is being subjected to?

And now we have to wonder if they're using the wrong size hitch ball too . . . I didn't know this was a thing!! Yikes!

 

[5030]

We have some people around here with their jacked up trucks with drop hitches that are 12"+, many with a lot of +. If I see one with a trailer I give em lots of room, especially those with the extra long drops. I know I would not pull anything heavier than a garden cart with some I have seen. Can you even begin to imagine the stresses and torque that kind of setup is being subjected to?

That entirely depends on how the drop was constructed and the amount of gusseting it has. I run a pretty severe drop on my F350 with no issue but I bought a drop and added gusseting to it to distribute the stress imposed by the somewhat severe drop.

 

[John0829]

I agree gussets can help strengthen the drop itself but they are not going to change the significant twisting torque being transferred to the hitch and ultimately the frame of the truck. I doubt very many even give that a thought since the receiver is it bolted under the truck out of site out of mind.

 

[tacticalturnip]

I mean, drop hitches vary; I'd question Jeffrey Brodozer's choice, but the one I've got is rather stout. This came with the truck, which was nice, because they're pricey.



This inspires a little less confidence.

 

[civilian]

For that coupler in post 35. Look at the radius of the ball socket, and the way the flat rim tucks down under the ball radius. If there is any offset of the coupler not directly over the ball, the coupler will bind on the ball. Chock the trailer wheels tight and the tow vehicle wheels loose and raise tongue. Vehicle can then move slightly to release. Jon

 

[WinterDeere]

Neither your insurance company, the judge, or the jury are going to care how you gussetted your own trailer hitch, nor how strong you thought it was. Just buy the damn hitch rated for your trailer. These things aren't exactly made of gold, you can afford the appropriately-rated hitch, if you can afford the trailer.

If a prior owner left a hitch on a truck you bought, and it's not clearly stamped with a rating, then assume it's for light-duty only.

 

[MTGreen]

To save weight, this 2" ball is made of aluminum.... ...no.....just used aluminum to prove out cnc program before using expensive stock.

View attachment 832708

Nice!
I know this was in jest, but many of those drop hitches are made of an aluminum or aluminum containing alloy

https://www.amazon.com/Tlvuvmo-Adjustable-Trailer-Hitch-Anti-Theft/dp/B0B259FY4P/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=aluminum+drop+hitch&qid=1700457262&sr=8-7

Considering the stress to yield properties of aluminum I don't know that I'd be thrilled about owning one of those...