truck hitches

[twinstackram]

I was in the need for a #10,000lb ball mount hitch,so I start looking on the net,liked the one that has the cushion in it to take the jolt out of starting and stopping,then I started calling the RV around to see what they had, I was wanting one that I could adjust the height up and down,well all that the three dealers that I called had to offer without ordering was a aluminum, which I like aluminum but was a little scared at having a aluminum hitch that they say is rated at the #10,000 lb that I need.

do any of you guys have any experience with these aluminum hitches?

do they hold up like they say they will?

I seen somewhere where they said that the alum. was 3x stronger than steel.

 

[Highbeam]

My ball hitch is rated for 10,000 lbs. It is a weight distributing style and is very common at RV places. Made of steel of course and cost about 270$.

If it has a sticker or stamp on it that says 10,000 lbs then that's what it is. I would trust a name brand rated hitch made out of aluminum anyday over a homebuilt one.

Aluminum is not 3x stronger than steel. It is less dense though so it should be lighter to pick up and handle plus it won't rust like steel. I have seen the hitches made of stainless steel but not aluminum. Are you sure it wasn't SS?

10,000 lbs is alot. You will need to be sure the ball, hitch, receiver, and truck are rated to handle that. I tow a 7000 lb trailer with my 10,000 lb rated hitch.

 

[Highbeam]

On my statement that luminum is not 3x stronger. "Stronger" is a funny term. There are many properties to metals there may be one where aluminum is stronger. It is also brittle. It is just different, better for some things and worse for others.

 

[YanmarFever]

I bought at an auction a box of trailer ball hitches 2 5/16
with a 1" shaft. I didnt think about it then, but when I looked closer the balls are rated at 25,000 lbs. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Now thats a trailer hitch. I must have 30 of them, to bad I can only use 1 at a time. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif life time supply I guess
Ernie

 

[Highbeam]

Wow, 25000lbs? The 10,000 lb one that I bought was about 20$. So a box of 30 would be valuable.

 

[Birdhunter1]

WOW, my balls are rated for 25,000 lbs. too!
The balls are much stronger than the truck will haul!

 

[ronjhall]

I have a 2 5/16" ball with a 1 1/4" shaft. Got me wondering what it's load capacity was. When I went to the Draw-Tite site to check on what it's load is. I found the 1" shaft was 6000 lbs and the 1 1/4" was 12000 with a special one that will tow 14000 lbs. Have things changed or are there different ratings? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[YanmarFever]

Its called Military surplus ! I have one on our dodge diesel & a solid stinger & no worries. They are stamped 25,000 lbs on the top just like all the others are.
I dont know maybe I should put them on ebay , I only need a few for a life time.

 

[JimR]

Ernie, I think you have Forged balls. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif. That me be why they are rated so high. Gov. specs and all, you know.

 

[Soundguy]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I seen somewhere where they said that the alum. was 3x stronger than steel. )</font>

Is that a 'by weight / not volume' measurement?

Soundguy

 

[Highbeam]

I didn't want to get too involved with the alum/steel issue either. It sounded like salesman talk.

 

[YanmarFever]

I will try to get some pics up of them.
Talking about my b---- is a touchy subject for an ultra RW like me. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
Ernie

 

[YanmarFever]

Here's the pictures of the trailer balls. If you gotta have one of these here's my phone number (502) 829-9170. $24 ea

 

[YanmarFever]

Pic #2

 

[YanmarFever]

Sorry guys, I said these were 1", I stand corrected they are 1 1/4".

 

[showcattle]

Aren't those the 2 5/16ths balls used for gooseneck hitches?

 

[YanmarFever]

There is no difference, A hitch ball is a hitch ball, it will work on a goose neck or trailer. These just happen to be Extra heavy duty. I have over 47,000 miles on mine pulling a 20' big tex trailer. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Ernie

 

[Devildog]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Aren't those the 2 5/16ths balls used for gooseneck hitches )</font>

Our camper is 2 5/16ths

 

[YanmarFever]

I spoke with trailer world in Oregon today.
They said a hitch ball will work for both, in other words they are both the same
Ernie