Is my ball to big...

[HollaGeo]

hahaha...I actually have a serious question. I am going to do my best at explaining as I don't know the proper trailer terminology. Basically, my trailer goes over the hitch ball on my truck BUT I can't lock the trailer mechanism in place. You know the piece you push down and I guess would put a zip tie through so it's secure on the ball. My assumption is my ball is to big and I need a smaller one. Thoughts...

 

[DJ]

Re: Is my ball to big...

Well, let's see.

Look at the coupler on your trailer. It should be stamped as to what size hitch ball to use. It will typically be 1-7/8" or 2".

Then, look at the ball on the truck. Again, it typically will be 1-7/8" or 2". They have to match.

By the way, a zip tie is NOT a good subsitite for a clevis pin or a bolt. Zip ties can be sheared or cut easliy.

 

[Lyle29464]

Re: Is my ball to big...

If the ball fits well up into the trailer hitch the problem might just be the adjustment on the bottom end of the latch Assembly. Some one might have been running a 1 7/8 ball and tightened the latch instead of changing to the correct ball.

 

[wifisher]

Re: Is my ball to big...

X2 Lyle. I know several people who run 2" trailers on 1 7/8" Balls. (too lazy to change receivers)

pto pins work well for putting on to secure the latch. You can get them at any fleet farm, Tractor supply, or similar store.

 

[riptide09]

Re: Is my ball to big...

Running the wrong size ball is just plain stupid. You can get a correct size ball at Walmart for the price of a decent 12 pack of beer. Your going to put your life, the life of others and your boat on the line for the price of a 12 pack. Good luck with that.

 

[wifisher]

Re: Is my ball to big...

Running the wrong size ball is just plain stupid. You can get a correct size ball at Walmart for the price of a decent 12 pack of beer. Your going to put your life, the life of others and your boat on the line for the price of a 12 pack. Good luck with that.

I don't think that anybody said it is a good idea. Just that it is done by some people.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Is my ball to big...

Running the wrong size ball is just plain stupid. You can get a correct size ball at Walmart for the price of a decent 12 pack of beer. Your going to put your life, the life of others and your boat on the line for the price of a 12 pack. Good luck with that.

Easy there killer... nobody said the planned to or suggested someone should run the wrong ball



O/P Another possibility it that the coupler is rusty inside.... a little oil or grease onn the workings can go a long way ..... good stuff above and x2 that too big of a ball won't fit inside the coupler.... Last.... I always use a padlock on mine... I have a matched set of brass locks for my receiver pin and my coupler that use the same key.

 

[TruckDrivingFool]

Re: Is my ball to big...

Besides looking for the size stampings to be sure, a 1 7/8" coupler won't seat down over a 2" ball. At least mine wouldn't last time I forgot to change hitches in my receiver.

 

[TruckDrivingFool]

Re: Is my ball to big...

I type to slow apparently.

 

[Fed up]

Re: Is my ball to big...

The best thing I have found to lubricate the innards of my receiver hitch is Chain Lube, it is for motorcycle chains. Works like a charm.

On a side note, I carry two receivers in the back of my Xterra, one with a 2" ball for three trailers that I own and one 17/8" for the odd ball trailer that I own.

 

[Bob's Garage]

Re: Is my ball to big...

There is one other possibility;

Some coupler balls have a thick raised shoulder on their base which catches the latch mechanism when it's being closed. To check this, begin closing the latch as the coupler is being lowered into place. Don't close it before the ball is covered but if you do it right, and that's the problem, it will lock in place.

I totally agree that a lock is the best item to use to secure the coupler, with the added benefit of securing the trailer from theft. (Maybe, but better than a pin.)

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Is my ball to big...

"most" coupler's have a nut underneath (you need to look) on the piece that grabs the hitch ball. Someone may have tightened that nut.

If you verify you have the correct ball for the hitch then it it is an adjustment. Be advised that some coupler's like being level to work for the lock. The "hook up" should not be a fight.

Worst case scenario ....... change the coupler if the old one has been tampered with

 

[royal0014]

Re: Is my ball to big...

Like the others said, check that the ball and hitch match....

Here's a problem that I ran into with my set-up: on the under side of the trailer hitch, the piece that latches to the collar of the ball has an open 'hook' that hinges on a pin, right behind the adjustment nut(s). Because the lockdown lever/latch is spring-loaded, sometimes when unhooking from the ball, the 'hook' will jump off the pin. Next time around, no amount of cursing will get the hitch to latch down. Wiggle the latch/lever and push the 'hook' up and back over the pin.

I bring this up 'cause it's a scenario I have not seen mentioned here before. Learn from my stupidity :facepalm:


<<)))(((>>

 

[Brewman61]

Re: Is my ball to big...

On a side note, I carry two receivers in the back of my Xterra, one with a 2" ball for three trailers that I own and one 17/8" for the odd ball trailer that I own.

Convert-a-ball.

 

[wifisher]

Re: Is my ball to big...

Convert-a-ball.

Until it gets a little rusty, and the pin no longer slides out easily.

I just run 2" couplers on everything. If you get a trailer that has a 1 7/8" coupler just buy a new coupler and swap it out. Never have to worry about which one to use. (unless you need a 2 5/16" for anything)

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Is my ball to big...

I carry 5 or 6 in the truck and sometimes I still have to swap stuff around 1 7/8" 2" 2 5/16" 2" 4" and 6" drop/rise and of course pintle but then hauling other peoples boats they can be any height or any hitch.... I've had an adapt-a-ball on my suburban for over ten years and it still works fine too.... a little maintenance (oil) goes a LONG way

then there's the fifth wheel and gooseneck...... ugh

 

[wifisher]

Re: Is my ball to big...

I've had an adapt-a-ball on my suburban for over ten years and it still works fine too.... a little maintenance (oil) goes a LONG way

Bring it around my neck of the woods anytime from november to april, and it will stop working in a week or two. You don't get much salt down there.

Lucky.

 

[scoutboater]

Re: Is my ball to big...

I agree that you need to double check the size match on the trailer and ball, and if they match then check for the adjustment nut on the trailer end.

On a side note, and aimed partially at smoke, we use something very similar to this: http://www.truckaddons.com/Catalog/subpages/QuickDrawHitch.htm
It works great, slides up and down, even swings under and out of the way. Plus you have the three most popular ball sizes at your fingertips.

Oh yeah, that website is definately not the cheapest place to get those, just the first one I found tonight.

 

[Sixmark]

Re: Is my ball to big...

Bring it around my neck of the woods anytime from november to april, and it will stop working in a week or two. You don't get much salt down there.

Lucky.

Well we get plenty of salt and corrosive chemical in Minnesota and I haven't had a problem yet with an 11 year old Convert-a-Ball set, but then I also maintain it and don't leave the receiver in all year long either, it's no different than when people leave receivers in for years at a time then they complain because it's rusted in place.

 

[DJ]

Re: Is my ball to big...

Well we get plenty of salt and corrosive chemical in Minnesota and I haven't had a problem yet with an 11 year old Convert-a-Ball set, but then I also maintain it and don't leave the receiver in all year long either, it's no different than when people leave receivers in for years at a time then they complain because it's rusted in place.

Yes!!! I thought I was the only one that removed my drawbar when not using it. Just one skinned shin taught me that.