hitch question

[rbigg]

Got a trailer with an 18' ProLine, 135hp o/b, and 20 gal fuel tank sitting on it. <br /><br />It has a 2" hitch. I'd like to change to 1 7/8" hitch. Any reason not to?

 

[vranasaurus]

Re: hitch question

I believe a 1 7/8" ball is only good up to 2000 lbs.

 

[JB]

Re: hitch question

I agree. Put a 2" ball on your vehicle, and be sure that your hitch and vehicle are rated for at least 3500lb.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: hitch question

I second that, JB. If the trailer has a 2" hitch, then that's the ball size you need. Don't change the hitch. Change the ball.<br /><br />If you have a receiver hitch, and have other trailers that use a 1 7/8" ball, get another drawbar and ball. That way, you can just change the drawbar when you switch trailers.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: hitch question

I agree that you need to change the ball, but Champion has a 1 7/8" ball rated at 3500#. It has a 1" thread-shaft rather than the typical 3/4".

 

[JB]

Re: hitch question

The class III receiver hitch on my truck has interchangable balls. Press and turn a latch and the ball pops off the shaft, pop the other ball on. Takes about 5 seconds.

 

[Formula1974]

Re: hitch question

I have seen draw bars with 3 different sizes of balls you just rotate it to the one you need. I have 2 trailers and just changed the smaller one from a 1 7/8 to a 2 inch so I dont have to worry about hooking the 2 inch on the wrong ball on my truck if I forget to change it.

 

[surfmonkey]

Re: hitch question

Let me add another question to this thread...I pull my boat with a Jeep Liberty (6 cylinder) and the spare tire is mounted on the back door/hatch of the vehicle.<br /><br />With the ball inserted into the receiver, the thing is right under the spare tire and makes it a bit difficult to get the boat hooked up and unhooked. Any ideas/suggestions? Do they make a longer insert and if they do, does this effect the way the load of the boat sits on the receiver/hitch and in the way the vehicle pulls it?

 

[KM2]

Re: hitch question

Surfmonkey,<br /><br />Most liberty's I have seen use a extra long draw bar that puts the ball out past the tire a couple of inches. As long as your not towing near the vehicles maximum capacity I don't see it causing problems.<br /><br />To the original question, I agree with JB get a convertable ball. Easy to use and only have 1 draw bar.

 

[BUBBLES II]

Re: hitch question

Yes, you can use that. Be sure that you still have enough slack in the safety chains and wiring harness for turning.