Hitch me up - trailering question
 

OK, here's the deal. My truck has a Class IV hitch from the factory. Supposed to be good to 10K pounds, from what I've read.

Boat and trailer should come in around 7500-7800 lbs, near as I can figure, well under the 8600 lbs my truck is rated for.

Looking around the 'net, it seems that I need a 2 5/16" ball, with a 1 1/4" shank, correct?

The 3 toothed refugee from Deliverance at the local truck palace told me that there is no such ball/shank combo and I would have to buy a complete weight distributing set up in order to tow the boat and trailer.

So, what do I need? This is not going to be a regular trailering deal, mostly likely a one-time shot to bring the boat home.

Need some help here, please!!!

Re: Hitch me up - trailering question
 

The highest rated 2" ball I believe is 7500Lbs so yeas you should use a 2-5/16. I think thy come in a 1" shank though not 1-1/4 I could be wrong though. The ball should have a rating stamped in the top of it just make syre it says 10k and get a slider to mach the shank.

Re: Hitch me up - trailering question
 

First off what did Ya buy ??
Second find a local U-haul place and they should have the hitch ball you are in need of. Or go to the local NAPA store and they will either have it or they can overnite order it for you.

You can also try Wal-mart. They might have it as well.

Happy trailering.!!!!

Re: Hitch me up - trailering question
 

2 5/16"

1" shank

L.S.

Re: Hitch me up - trailering question
 

Here's where I got the ball/shank lbs information; it comes from SAE.

http://www.sizes.com/home/trailer_hitches.htm

Ball size (inches) Bolt diameter Capacity (pounds)
1 7⁄8 ¾″ 2000
1″ 2000
----------------------------------------------------------------
2 ¾″ 3500
1″ 6000
1¼″ 6000
1 3⁄8″ 10,000
----------------------------------------------------------------
2 5⁄16 1″ 6000
1¼″ 10,000

I know for a fact that the trailer is a 2 5/16" ball.

Re: Hitch me up - trailering question
 

Keep looking Mike. I have a 12,000 ball that I'm pretty sure has a 1" shank.

Re: Hitch me up - trailering question
 

I figured the guy was full of manure. I swung by the local Wal-Mart, but all they have is 5000 and 6000 lbs balls. (man, that sounds bad, doesn't it!) :D

Re: Hitch me up - trailering question
 

WWW.etrailer.com

1" shank Balls !!http://www.etrailer.com/Merchant2/me...tegory_Code=B1


1/4" shank balls
http://www.etrailer.com/Merchant2/me...gory_Code=B114

Re: Hitch me up - trailering question
 

Take a looky here. http://www.hiddenhitch.com/Home/

Tell Bubba to learn his job or get a new one.

Edit...Apparently the link automatically reverts to the home page. I had a page pulled up with the ball you are looking for. Either way they can be had.

Buck

Re: Hitch me up - trailering question
 

i have big balls................. :D :evilb: :D

Re: Hitch me up - trailering question
 

I have a 12k pound 2-5/16 x 1" shank ball here at my desk that is manufactured by Curt MFG. I bought the ball and a neat 14k alum ball mount from clever hitch.

www.cleverhitch.com

link to page with ball and mount

Re: Hitch me up - trailering question
 

so what did ya get.?

even a one inch shank will be fine if tightened properly, with the lock nut, the proper tourqe will stretch the threads and the shank will be fine.

Re: Hitch me up - trailering question
 

I've got the appropriate parts on order, now I just have to guess at the drop. I think 2" should be fine.

I am too superstitious to talk about the "fiberglass thing that goes in water" until it is sitting in my driveway. ;)

Re: Hitch me up - trailering question
 

Standard ball height is 18" to the top of the ball from the ground but you might want to ask the guy selling the fiberglass thingy to level the trailer and measure it you don't want to be too low with a heavy boat it will try and drive you. too high isnt that big of a deal but still not good.

Re: Hitch me up - trailering question
 

Dock Rocker, if it is a one time deal you can swing by my house and use the 12k ball that I have. If it is not to late on the order. Dwight

Re: Hitch me up - trailering question
 

heck, ask Fred, he knows more about trailers than anyone:D

Re: Hitch me up - trailering question
 

Doc,
Not sure where you live in Detroit, but try Hitch House in Livonia, MI. They are now located on Plymouth Rd.

Re: Hitch me up - trailering question
 

Now Buck, I have a 30,000 # ball! If you go to a real trailer place, you can get a 30k ball and a solid hitch. I know it's overkill, but why not? You only have to buy it once. See ya this weekend Buck :drink:

Re: Hitch me up - trailering question
 

A 30k ball is way overkill seeing as the max legal ball hitch trailer is 15k after that you gotta go fifth wheel or goosneck, that actually probably a goosneck ball that you have.

Re: Hitch me up - trailering question
 

Dockrocker -

2 5/16" is standard size for that kind of weight. More than one accident has occured because someone connected a 2 5/16" hitch onto a 2" ball. Chances are it will not immediately come loose if this happens. But it WILL come loose.

Reese makes a great quick change trailer ball system that allows you to quickly change ball sizes without tools. The shank that the balls slide over is tapered and there is a lock screw in the top of it. A quarter turn of the screw an the ball slides off and another can be slid on. I was skeptical at first but have proven the system is great. Mine is rated to 12000 lbs. Reese is a big name in trailer equipment. You can Google them if you are interested.

Don't forget the 'stinger' too. It must also be rated for the extra weight. The difference between a 6000 lb. stinger and 12000 lb. stinger is the construction. The 6000 is hollow tubing and the 12000 is solid steel.

PT

Re: Hitch me up - trailering question
 

Reese makes the parts I was originally going to user, unfortunately the local shop does not have them in stock.

However, they do have equivalents from Draw-Tite. Solid stainless steel "stinger" rated for 12K, 2 5/16" ball rated for 10 or 12K. I originally ordered a 4" drop, but I think that may be too much. I'll see if I can get a 2" version. I didn't know about the 18" rule of thumb, that will be handy.

Re: Hitch me up - trailering question
 

Mine is a Load Master trailer and they set up on 21''.check with the man.of the trailer if in question.

Re: Hitch me up - trailering question
 

http://www.ultrahitch.com/perfect_drop_bar.html
http://www.ultrahitch.com/rapidhitch.html
http://www.clever.ws/hitch.htm

Go to
http://www.draw-tite.com/

Click on Forged Ball Mount
Then Click on Hitch Balls

They have the size you need.

Go to a Trailer/Camper place they will have stuff like this in stock.

Re: Hitch me up - trailering question
 

Re: Hitch me up - trailering question
 

Buy the solid square receiver. Those hollow ones I think aren't rated high enough for you.

Re: Hitch me up - trailering question
 

dockrocker, read through the thread sidwayz just posted it has a lot of good info, in order to pull 10k legally you would need a weight distributing setup. I just went and checked mine it's a class V hitch rated for 15k but if you don't have the weight distribution setup (and I don't) it's only rated for 6k weight carrying :eek:.

Re: Hitch me up - trailering question
 

That depends on the size of the rims and tires. Mine is level at about 21" as well. They are making some really cool adjustable receiver/ball setups these days out of billet.

Re: Hitch me up - trailering question
 

Mike,
When are you going to get the boat ? Mine may be available to use, 2 5/16 ball and slide in receiver.

ed