Another one of my dumb question threads...Ball size!

[Kalwren]

I'm not real hip on the idea of pulling my own trailer, which is why I bought a truck. But it does have a hitch on it.

I figured I should put a ball on it in the event that I tow someones trailer for whatever reason.

Whats the typical ball size for a PWC trailer? 1 & 7/8th" or 2"?

I'll probably buy them all, but I'd rather just put the most common size on there now so I don't have to futz with it later.

Thanks in advance.

 

[The Penguin]

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=94141

 

[Super Dee]

Both sizes are common. Although, it seems to me that the newer trailers seem to require a 2" ball, whereas a lot of the older trailers need an 1 7/8" ball.

 

[guiness92]

I have one of the triple ball hitches and love it. That way you know you always have the right size ball.

 

[redsxr800]

buy the size you need unless you want to be dragging your buddies stuff all over

 

[onesojourner]

all I ever see is 2.

 

[Idok]

just get one of each, then yourlways covered......

 

[Shonuff]

all I ever see is 2.

Me too.

 

[steveyz250fpilot]

Put a 2 inch on and keep a 1 7/8 in the glove box or tool box. They are pretty cheap.

 

[guiness92]

I would still recommend the tri ball hitch. I would get the forged steel one though, not sure if I would trust the harbor freight one. It has all 3 sizes and it takes no tools or anything to change to the size you need. Ive used mine without fail on everything from a small cement mixer to 40' boat and trailer, to 21' car trailer fully loaded.

 

[Kalwren]

Haha, thats a cool and clever idea!

However, I don't have a trailer hitch. I have one of those factory bumpers that have a hole for a ball. I'm not going to spend the money (this year) on installing a trailer hitch. Maybe next year.

The capacity is 500lb tongue weight, 2000 lb towing weight. Thats fine for a couple PWC's and the trailer.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=94141

 

[Kalwren]

So it looks like the 2" ball is the most common. I'll have to find one that fits my bumper. The first 2" that I bought, has a shaft that is to wide to fit into the bumper.

Maybe next winter I'll install a hitch.

In the meantime, does anyone know a good, reliable and cost effective way to install the electrical to hook to the trailer lights?

 

[The Penguin]

get a 2 inch ball.

tell you friends that if they want you to pull their trailer - they need to get a 2" coupler on their trailers.

 

[ger87410]

How do you change the coupler on it when it comes with a 1 7/8" stock and looks like the following?

Does it have a standard 2" hitch receiver on it? U can get a 3 or 4 way.

 

[The Penguin]

Kalwren - your bumper should also have 3 holes in it. It is fine to two from one of the outside holes as well.

and - smaller trailers have 1 7/8" balls...so single trailers or small utility trailers (5x7 or so) should have that.

most common is 2" - for double ski trailers, boat trailers and most larger utility trailers

2 5/16" is usually for boats over 25' in length from what I've seen. I've only ever pulled 1 trailer that used that size ball - a buddies 26' off shore catamaran.

 

[Kalwren]

Awesome information, thank you.

I won't be pulling anything big until after I install a hitch. I have a small truck ('94 Ranger) with a 4.0L v6. I don't think I'll be pulling anything huge.

It only has one hole in the bumper though, unless I'm really...really blind, lol!

Kalwren - your bumper should also have 3 holes in it. It is fine to two from one of the outside holes as well.

and - smaller trailers have 1 7/8" balls...so single trailers or small utility trailers (5x7 or so) should have that.

most common is 2" - for double ski trailers, boat trailers and most larger utility trailers

2 5/16" is usually for boats over 25' in length from what I've seen. I've only ever pulled 1 trailer that used that size ball - a buddies 26' off shore catamaran.

 

[Speedfreak]

The other holes are under that plastic cover. But why put a ball on the bumper so it can rust. IF your not using it then don't worry about it. Also some states have strange laws. In Illinois if your ball hitch covers the license plate you have to remove it when not using it. So you would be installing it waiting to get stopped. I had to fight a ticket over that stupid law one time.

 

[Mouthfulloflake]

buy both size balls, mont them both in the bumper holes,problem solved.

One tip, get a quality ball, with the largest shank that will fit in your bumper hole.

most trailer balls are 3/4" shank, but they sell some that are 1/2"

if you put a 1/2" shank ball in a 3/4" bumper mount hole, youve got slop, and its not as strong as it COULD be for a couple more bucks.

also, but antisieze on the threaded shank when you mount it, and make sure it comes with a lock washer...

 

[Kalwren]

hah, thats lame!

It doesn't cover my plate, so it should be fine. I see people driving around all the time with a ball with nothing on it.

I'll check under the plastic cover and see if there's other holes there. Thanks for the tip!

The other holes are under that plastic cover. But why put a ball on the bumper so it can rust. IF your not using it then don't worry about it. Also some states have strange laws. In Illinois if your ball hitch covers the license plate you have to remove it when not using it. So you would be installing it waiting to get stopped. I had to fight a ticket over that stupid law one time.

 

[Kalwren]

More good info, thank you!

My bumper only supports the 1/2" shank. I had to return a 2" ball because the shank was too thick.

buy both size balls, mont them both in the bumper holes,problem solved.

One tip, get a quality ball, with the largest shank that will fit in your bumper hole.

most trailer balls are 3/4" shank, but they sell some that are 1/2"

if you put a 1/2" shank ball in a 3/4" bumper mount hole, youve got slop, and its not as strong as it COULD be for a couple more bucks.

also, but antisieze on the threaded shank when you mount it, and make sure it comes with a lock washer...