What Is a Trailer Ball?

A Trailer Ball is an important component of your towing system. It connects your trailer to your truck’s hitch. It comes in a variety of sizes and weight capacities to ensure a proper fit.

First, choose the right size for your trailer’s coupler. Most manufacturers stamp or label this size on the trailer’s coupler.

Size

A Trailer Ball is the component that connects your trailer to your vehicle’s hitch. This piece of equipment is crucial for towing your trailer safely and securely.

The size of a trailer ball is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing one for your truck and trailer. The ball should be a size that matches your trailer coupler to ensure a solid connection and prevent any disconnection during towing.

There are several different sizes of hitch balls available, including 1-7/8-inch, 2-inch, 2-5/16-inch and 3-inch. Each of these sizes has a specific towing capacity and is used for different types of trailers.

Most trailers use a 2-inch ball, which has a gross towing weight range of 3,500 to 12,000 pounds. This ball is commonly used on boat, utility and camper trailers.

Depending on your towing needs, you can also choose a ball that has a higher or lower weight rating. The difference between a ball with a higher capacity and a ball with a lower capacity can make all the difference when it comes to your towing ability.

The first step in determining the correct size of trailer ball is to find out what the maximum gross trailer weight is for your vehicle and trailer. This can be easily done with a household scale and a brick that is three feet apart.

Next, look at the inside of the coupler to determine the size of the opening. This opening will be stamped on the coupler or can be measured using a tape measure or ruler.

Once you have this information, you can begin selecting the correct trailer hitch ball for your truck and trailer. You’ll want to look for a ball that excedes your trailer’s maximum weight capacity and is compatible with the receiver hitch of your truck.

The hitch ball you choose will be the single most important element of your towing system. A properly chosen and fitted hitch ball will make it much easier to hook up your trailer and get you where you need to go. The ball itself is made from durable materials and comes in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Weight Capacity

A Trailer Ball’s weight capacity is the maximum amount of weight it can tow safely. It is a vital safety feature of any tow hitch, so it’s important to select the right size. The wrong size Trailer Ball hitch could cause your vehicle to fail the safety test and may also lead to damage to your vehicle or your trailer.

A CURT 2 5/16″ Trailer Ball is an all-purpose tow hitch ball that’s perfect for any class 5 receiver-style trailer. These balls are made with expert engineering to be packed with strength and durable enough to withstand the harsh wear and tear of heavy-duty towing.

It has a 25,000-pound capacity and is perfect for towing a range of different trailers, including utility trailers, dump trailers, chopper boxes and even deluxe RVs (NOTE: Never exceed the lowest weight limit of any towing component; i.e. the trailer, hitch and vehicle).

To determine if you need to purchase a larger ball hitch, first consider the coupler opening size. To do this, simply measure the head of your trailer coupler using a ruler or measuring tape.

Another factor is tongue weight, which is the downward force exerted on the trailer ball by the coupler. Too much tongue weight can overload the rear tires or rear suspension of your vehicle, which may lead to stability issues.

Finally, it’s important to choose a trailer ball that matches your truck’s GVWR. This will ensure that you don’t over-tow or under-tow your loaded trailer.

To calculate your trailer’s gross weight rating, you’ll need to weigh it at a local public or private scale. This is a process that involves taking your rig to government-run scales or small-scale platforms operated at grain elevators, scrap material yards and other businesses. Alternatively, you can ask your dealer to help you.

Shank Length

The length of the shaft is a critical aspect of any Trailer Ball. It determines its ability to hold up to the weight of your trailer and provides leverage for your truck, so it is very important that you choose a Trailer Ball with a long enough shaft.

The most common shank length for Trailer Balls is about 1.5 inches, but it can be shorter or longer depending on the size of your vehicle. A shorter shank allows you to use a smaller tow vehicle, and it is also easier to maneuver your truck on the road.

Most manufacturers will label or stamp the correct size on your coupler to help you select the right Trailer Ball. This is because both the hitch ball and the coupler must have a solid connection before you can tow safely, so it’s critical that your trailer Ball fits both the size of your Coupler and your truck’s towing capacity.

You’ll also need to measure the length of the “shank” – this is the threaded stem that sits below the ball, and it measures from the base of the trailer ball to the end of the threads. Once you have this measurement, you can calculate the Trailer Ball’s rise, which is the amount of additional height the Trailer Ball adds to the hitch connection.

This is a vital measurement to take into account, because it helps you to avoid hitting any bumps or potholes along your journey. It also helps you to avoid overloading your trailer.

Fortunately, most Trailer Balls are made with expert engineering to provide you with the strength and durability that your class 5 trailer hitch and class 5 ball mount need. They are rated for up to 30,000 pounds of gross trailer weight and 750 pounds of tongue weight, so you can haul anything from heavy-duty commercial and agricultural trailers to boats, motorcycles and much more!

You can find a wide variety of Trailer Balls at U-Haul. They have several different sizes, so you’ll be able to find one that’s perfect for your truck and trailer.

Rise

A trailer ball is the pivot point of the rig and a critical component to ensure a safe and smooth towing connection. The ball is bolted to the ball mount, which is then connected to the trailer hitch. Its ability to pivot allows the rig to be moved and turned as needed.

Tow balls are available in various sizes to suit different needs and tow capacity requirements. Smaller 1 7/8-inch balls are used to tow small, light-duty trailers while larger 2-5/16- and 3-inch balls are designed for towing heavy-duty, commercial and agricultural trailers.

Choosing the right trailer ball is important to ensure that it fits properly and will work with your truck, SUV or van. The ball size, shank length/diameter and maximum towing rating must all be considered.

The weight rating is a measurement of the Trailer Ball gross trailer weight limit. This means the trailer’s maximum weight plus its tongue weight.

This measurement is determined by the vehicle manufacturer. It should be sufficient to handle the trailer’s total weight and the trailer’s maximum towing capacity.

In addition to determining the correct trailer ball size, you must also choose a shank length that matches the receiver tube opening of the trailer hitch. If the shank length is too short, the ball may shift during towing.

For example, if you have a class III receiver hitch, you need to select a class 3 ball mount that has a minimum shank length of 2 inches and a minimum diameter of 1-7/8″. This will allow the ball mount to fit securely in the receiver tube while providing enough threads for fastening the trailer ball.

To determine the rise of a trailer ball, you must take measurements of your hitch height (Measurement A) and coupler height (Measurement B). Measurements must be taken from the ground to the top of the hitch receiver opening and from the bottom of the trailer coupler.

A trailer ball with a lower or higher rise can be dangerous. This is because a trailer that rides lower than your tow vehicle or a trailer that rides higher than your tow vehicle will not be able to be towed safely. You should therefore use a ball mount with the proper rise or drop to ensure your rig is set up for level towing.