Towing newbie needs help

[rvandam]

I have the big tow package, although I don't plan on towing on a regular basis. We may tow a friend's horsetrailer occasionally, and maybe a trailer for a small boat.

Here's my problem: when I looked at hitch ball mounts and hitch balls, they came in a wide variety. The hitch ball mounts come with different 'drops', and the hitch balls come in different diameters.

Is there a happy medium I could buy, and be able to tow most trailers? Or will I have to buy a different hitch mount and hitch ball for different trailers, depending on the height of the trailer?

Thanks for the help.

[titanmike]

They sell these which have 1 7/8, 2, and 2 5/16 inch sizes that cover most trailers. But you can't adjust the height for different trailers.

[TerryTitan]

they also make convert-a-balls. Its a pins that slides through the ball on to the hitch.
http://www.etrailer.com/Merchant2/me...gory_Code=IBS2

[Sammy Sandbag]

I've had the convert-a-ball for years and love it. I carry a 1-7/8" for my utility trailor and a 2" for most other trailors that I pull. Just remember to not leave the ball on when not towing, easy to steal. As far as drops go, you can always get a height adjustable drop. I prefer the fixed height drops, they are less bulky and IMO stronger, in fact I need to get a lower drop for the Titan as it sits much higher than my old truck.

[stevemis]

Originally Posted by rvandam

Here's my problem: when I looked at hitch ball mounts and hitch balls, they came in a wide variety. The hitch ball mounts come with different 'drops', and the hitch balls come in different diameters.

Is there a happy medium I could buy, and be able to tow most trailers? Or will I have to buy a different hitch mount and hitch ball for different trailers, depending on the height of the trailer?

Thanks for the help.

Go with a multi-ball attachment, and if you're towing a variety of trailers, you might need to get an adjustable drop hitch. You can find all of these, reasonably priced, at Northern Tool.

-Steve

[pagerdaddy]

Originally Posted by rvandam

I have the big tow package, although I don't plan on towing on a regular basis. We may tow a friend's horsetrailer occasionally, and maybe a trailer for a small boat.

You can buy the Reese drops at Walmart, which is where I bought the 5.25"
drop for my utility trailer, and also a 7 to 4 pin adaptor. If you want to try
getting away with buying only one drop, I would go with a 4" drop and a 2"
ball. Seems like you don't see that much 1.875" stuff any more.

I was in Advance Auto Parts yesterday, and they had my Reese drop $5
cheaper than Walmart. Bastards.

Steve

[rvandam]

Thanks for the replies. Never knew there was so much to hitch balls...

No matter what your interest, there always seem to be gadgets that are just cool from an invention/engineering standpoint. Those interchangeable balls definitely fall within the gadgets category...

...need...to...control...urge...to...buy...more... gadgets...

If my wife asks, I'll have to blame you guys

[Roomicus]

Isn't there a point of buying gadgets that once you pass it the wife doesn't realize it? Similar to the one for guns - anything over 5 and she doesn't know the difference.

[sleightofhand]

I was able to buy a hitch ball mount that is rated at 10000lbs from northern tool. Its a 4inch drop and that seems to be just about right. It takes a larger 2" shafted ball which is rated at 8000lbs for a 2inch ball. Most 2 inch balls are rated at 3500-5000lbs. You should check it out the ball mount is solid steel and really heavy duty perfect for the 10000lbs hitch.

[sleightofhand]

Sorry the ball shaft is a 1 1/4" not 2 inch. The ball itself is a 2 inch which is good for most everything besides maybe jetski trailers.