Changing tow ball

[Mark42]

I was thinking of taking a trip to look at a boat for sale. The owner said the hitch was for a 2" ball, and I have a 1 7/8" ball.

I go to remove the ball from the Mountaineer and let me tell you it is on tight. I get a 20" braker bar, and no luck. Stick a 3' pipe on the bar and the breaker bar breakes! Ended up with the pipe on a wratchet and I finally it breaks lose and spins in place. End up with a pipe wrench on the ball and the socket wrench with pipe to get it off.

I cleaned up the threads and greased it all up and reinstalled the ball. Now it will come off easy when I want it too. And now I'm going to pick up a 2" ball at the auto parts store and keep it in the truck.

So if you are thinking of buying another boat, you might have to change the ball size. It is a good idea to do it ahead of time! Glad I didn't have to do this after I drive 2 hours to see a boat.

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: Changing tow ball

I have a receiver hitch, and I now have an insert with a permanently affixed 2" ball; I went to take it off one day and the threads gave way before the thing went to loosen up. I hit it with the welder a couple of times and left it that way!​

 

[Bondo]

Re: Changing tow ball

I haul several trailers All the time with different ball sizes Required........

I went,+ bought 1 of those Convert-a-Ball hitches years ago,...... With the 1" shank, it's rated at 10,000lbs....
I just drive the little Pin out of the Ball,+ Slip on the right size,.....
And,..... even though I've got the 1, 7/8",+ the 2",+ the 2, 5/16" balls,......
I usually run the 1, 7/8" when there's a 2" coupler,..... Never had 1 come Off,... It just rattles alittle more......

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Changing tow ball

i just have 3 recievers, 1 7/8, 2, 2 5/16. i just leave them in the trailer coupler. also putting never cease on the threads works well. i aslo use never cease on the lug nuts.

 

[Pony]

Re: Changing tow ball

Luckily I havent had to remove a tow ball yet, I just bought a two seperate mounts to put into the reciever and whichever one isnt being used gets stored in the stoarge compartment unter my back seat.

Although there are some helpful tips on here.....I want to flip the 2" ball so that I have a 4" lift instead of a drop.

 

[Dave Abrahamson]

Re: Changing tow ball

I like these myself.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Changing tow ball

the reason i have 3 recievers, is i have 3 trailers all different heights. 2 drop, on level. 8 in 12 in and 14 inch wheels.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Changing tow ball

I swapped all my trailers over to 2"

I used to swap the drop mounts but that got old. I still have a few receivers hanging around with 1-7/8.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Changing tow ball

I have multiple sets of draw bars with various size balls on them. Main reason is that 2 5/16 balls that I use all have wider shanks than that of the 2" balls. Taking the balls on and off is not worth the trouble, epecially since you can get the lighter duty draw bars at Wally World for the 2" balls.

 

[eli_lilly]

Re: Changing tow ball

I have this weird ball that is a rod with a screw on the top. You turn the screw and a mechanism releases and allows the ball to come off the rod. Then you can put the other size ball on. It takes like two seconds.

-E

 

[Bondo]

Re: Changing tow ball

This is like mine.......

 

[Rancherlee]

Re: Changing tow ball

If I buy any trailer that has a 1 7/8 I IMMEDIATELY change the hitch on the trailer to 2". I really think they should outlaw 1 7/8 balls. (I've noticed that not to many trailers come with 1 7/8 anymore). I also use stainless steel towbars since they won't rust into the reciever if you leave it in there for more than a week.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Changing tow ball

I don't think I have ever seen a stainless draw bar. Where did you get yours? They must be expensive!!

 

[Pony]

Re: Changing tow ball

I don't think I have ever seen a stainless draw bar. Where did you get yours? They must be expensive!!

I have seen them online. They are pretty expensive......3x the cost of a normal drawbar. $80-90.

I coat my drawbar with grease and have left it in over winter and it wasn't rusted in. This is a Wisconsin winter mind you, so lots and lots of road salt etc. I switch mine around enough that a drawbar never really stays in there all that long. My utility trailer is 2", my boat is 1 7/8". So usually I am swapping them every week or so throughout the summer.

I sort of disagree with Rancherlee......at least in my expirience. Most of the trailers I am around are 1 7/8". A lot of lighter boats, lighter duty trailers still have them.

 

[evilratgirl]

Re: Changing tow ball

Convert-a-ball or adapt-a-ball, both basically the same. Between the boat and different trailers I pull, it seems like I'm always switching my balls.