What Is a Trailer Ball?
A trailer ball is the towing accessory that connects a trailer to a hitch. It allows the trailer to pivot, providing smooth turning while towing.
A properly rated trailer ball is crucial for safe towing. It should be the same size as your trailer coupler to ensure a strong connection between the two parts of your rig.
Diameter
The diameter of a Trailer Ball is important for safety and towing capacity. It must match the coupler opening size, the shank diameter and the weight capacity of your tow vehicle.
Most trailers have the coupler and ball dimensions stamped somewhere on the trailer or hitch, but if you do not have these measurements available, they can be determined using a ruler or measuring tape. Once the measurements are known, it is necessary to choose the proper trailer ball and ball mount to ensure a safe and secure connection.
A ball mount is an attachment that bolts to a hitch and allows the trailer coupler to latch onto it. A trailer ball is a metal ball that sits on top of the mounting. It has a threaded stem on the bottom that articulates around the base of the trailer coupler.
There are a few different types of trailer balls, but the most common is the 2″ ball. It is the standard size for most Class 3 receivers, and it also fits most U-Haul trailers.
Other common trailer ball sizes include 1-7/8″, 2″ and 2-5/16″. The 1-7/8″ ball is the best choice for light-duty towing, while the 2″ and 2-5/16″ balls are more appropriate for medium-duty trailers.
In addition to the ball’s diameter, the shank length, the shank diameter and the rise are also factors to consider when choosing the right ball. A shank that’s too long or too small may not fit properly into the ball hole in a ball mount, and it could come loose during towing.
Another factor to look at is the rise, which refers to the height that the ball sits off of its base. This rise can help you raise your Trailer Ball trailer if it is dropped too low by the ball mount.
Finally, the weight capacity of a trailer ball and a ball mount is essential for safe towing. It is best to never exceed your towing system’s weight limit.
It is also vital that the ball and hitch ball mount are connected tightly before towing. This can help prevent the trailer from coming unhitched and potentially causing an accident.
Shank
A Trailer Ball is an essential piece of towing equipment, allowing you to hook up your trailer and your truck. It provides a secure connection between your vehicle and trailer by gripping the coupler and preventing the trailer from moving during towing. Typically, it is made in different sizes and shank lengths to accommodate a variety of vehicles and trailers.
First, choose a hitch ball with a proper weight capacity. Most hitch balls come with a gross trailer weight rating (GTWR) that reflects the maximum total weight of your trailer. This number should be equal to or more than the tongue weight of your trailer, which is typically a few hundred pounds.
Next, make sure the trailer coupler and the trailer you are towing match. Most manufacturers stamp or label the correct trailer coupler and hitch ball size on the trailer coupler itself, so be sure to find the right one before you tow with it.
Finally, make sure the hitch ball you choose has a proper shank diameter that fits the hole in the platform of your ball mount or bumper hitch. This hole is where the hitch ball bolts onto the trailer.
A good way to check the shank diameter is by measuring from the base of the trailer hitch to the end of the ball’s threads. If the shank diameter is too small, the hitch ball may come loose during towing and cause damage to your truck or trailer.
If the hitch ball is too big for the hole in your hitch platform, you will have a hard time attaching it. This is because the hitch ball will be squished against the mounting platform and may not have enough thread to connect with your hitch.
This is a common problem with trailers that have lower couplers than the receiver on your hitch. It is important to get the hitch ball that is the correct size for your coupler and receiver, so you can create a solid connection between the trailer and the truck.
The CURT 2 5/16″ Hitch Ball is an excellent option for standard and heavy-duty towing. This tow ball is designed for strength and durability, making it ideal for most class 3 or 4 trailer hitches. It offers a 30,000-pound rated ball capacity, a 1 1/4″ shank diameter, a 2-1/8″ shank length, no rise and a heat-treated finish to protect it from rust and scratches.
Rise
A trailer ball is an essential towing accessory for a vehicle and trailer. It is the part of a trailer that connects to the hitch on a truck or SUV to secure the trailer to the vehicle. It has a threaded shank and a ball that bolts on to the shank through the hole of a ball mount.
It is important to choose a trailer ball that is compatible with the coupler on your trailer. You can find the correct coupler size by finding the coupler stamp on your trailer or by measuring the inside opening of the coupler with a ruler. If you cannot locate the stamped coupler size, use a tape measure to measure the distance between the coupler opening and the trailer tongue.
You can also use a measurement from the bottom of your trailer coupler to the ground (be sure it is level) and subtract that from your truck’s hitch receiver height. That number is your required rise length, the height of the trailer ball you need.
There are several different types of trailer ball mounts available on the market, some designed to be flipped in your receiver tube for rise and drop. These can be a good option for work trucks and fleet vehicles that will tow multiple trailers with differing coupler heights.
Before selecting a ball mount, you should consider 3 important qualifications: its drop or rise, its shank size and its weight capacity. These are the three major factors in determining the right ball mount for your vehicle and trailer.
#1 – Trailer Ball Diameter: The diameter of the trailer ball must match your coupler size and the shank diameter must fit in the trailer ball hole of the hitch mount. It is also important to choose a ball that has a shank length and diameter that exceed the maximum towing capacity of your vehicle.
#2 – Receiver Tube Size: The diameter of the shank must be compatible with the receiver tube opening on your truck’s hitch. If the trailer ball shank is too small, it may shift and come loose while towing.
Weight
The weight of the Trailer Ball plays an important role in keeping your trailer safe to travel. It helps prevent swaying while driving or making it more stable while stopped. It also helps keep your trailer secure and safe to load on the truck.
The trailer ball is a piece of hardware that attaches to the receiver tube on the tow vehicle. It slides into the receiver and connects with a hitch pin on the other end.
Typically, the trailer ball has to match the size of the coupler (the part that latches onto the hitch ball). This ensures the hitch and the trailer have a solid connection.
Most manufacturers stamp or label the correct size on the coupler, but you can take a measurement yourself with a tape measure. If the coupler is too small for the hitch ball, the shank could come loose and cause a problem.
Another important consideration is the shank diameter. If the shank Trailer Ball is too small, it may come loose while towing or even break when inserted into the receiver tube.
This is very dangerous and could lead to damage to your trailer and the vehicle that you are towing it in. This is especially true if you have a big boat or camper on the back of your pickup truck.
It’s also very important to consider the tongue weight of your trailer. A too heavy tongue can cause your tow vehicle’s tires to push the rear of the truck around and could lead to serious damage.
Tongue weight is a critical factor to safe towing and should be between 10% and 15% of the loaded trailer’s weight. This will help to ensure that the center of mass is located ahead of the axles and will prevent swaying.
You can easily measure your trailer’s tongue weight at home using a household scale. This is a great way to determine if you are within the recommended range of 6% to 15% of the total trailer weight.