Proper hitch ball mount rating
 

Hello,

I have a 05 288 with the 496 ho. I bought a new truck and sold my old one with ball mount. I need to buy a new ball mount and want to make sure I get the proper rating. Will 600 pound tongue weight be enough?

Thank you

No such thing as too little in this area.
www.etrailer.com and get the heaviest they offer. (or whatever retailer you like)

Make sure the trailer sits level, with whatever drawbar you select.
http://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Ball...-Class_IV.aspx

You will want something with a solid drawbar, not one of the hollow ones.

I unknowingly towed for years with an underrated ball. So lucky it didn't break! Everything now is overrated. What do you mean by "solid drawbar?"

This is what you want:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]559895[/ATTACH]



Hitch balls are not usually rated for Tongue Weight; just Gross Trailer Weight.
Ball Mounts, Drawbars, and also called Stingers in some parts of the country, have the two ratings, one for Tongue Weight, and one for Maximum Gross Trailer Weight.


And remember, your Hitch aka Receiver on the trailer has different weight ratings too.
ALL THREE components need to align with the weights of what you are towing.

My drawbar was/is fine. It's rated at 7,500# and 750# toung weight. It's hollow though. My ball is rated at 7,500#. My hitch at 9,900#. All well over my tow weight of 5-6,000#. I towed for years with a 3,500# ball without knowing it though.

With being level. I took a measurement from bottom of the trailer frame at the tail lights and again up by the tongue. How do you guys do it

That works too. But I typically just put a level on the trailer frame.

Hello,

This is the ball mount I purchased, 17,000 pounds which should be more then enough. My concern is
it doesn't fit tight in the receiver. I'm guessing 1/8" play. Should I find another ball mound that fits tighter or will this one be ok?

Thank you

I've used several different "hitch tightener" products over the years, and this is by far my favorite one. I have 3 of them.
https://www.amazon.com/Roadmaster-06.../dp/B00C5TA2QQ

1) Make sure you have a 2" in receiver on the truck, and not a 2.5" receiver.
2) Obviously, make sure you have a 2" ball mount that matches whatever is on the truck. 1/8 of play is more than I would like, but they all wiggle a little bit.
3) Invest in a hitch tighener, which makes for a much more pleasant towing experience.

I'm going to guess you have a 2" receiver on your truck if it's a standard 1/2 ton. Most heavy duty hitch/ball setups are 2.5", you can however purchase them with 2" mounts. I have a 12000# setup (etrailer for around $200) for my 28zx, hitch has a weight gauge built in, works great.