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Last Updated on August 23, 2024 by Paul Clayton
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Most Popular Hitch Ball Sizes: What Works Best For You
Hitch balls are pivotal in safely towing trailers, campers, and other heavy loads. These sizes cater to most towing needs and are favored due to their compatibility with a wide range of trailer couplers. The right size ensures a secure tow and minimizes the risk of accidents or damage.
- Weight capacity is crucial for safe towing practices.
- Tongue weight ensures proper balance during towing.
- The coupler size must match the trailer hitch ball diameter.
- Shank length affects compatibility with the mounting platform.
- Diameter and size compatibility ensure a secure connection.
- Rise determines the height of the trailer hitch ball.
Hitch balls are one of those revolutionary inventions that have become game-changers in the transport industry and come in numerous sizes.
Keep reading to learn more about the most popular hitch ball sizes, how to measure these, and much more:
What is a Hitch Ball?
A trailer hitch ball is an attachment bolted on your hitch’s ball mount. You need to attach your trailer’s coupler to the ball hitch.
The ball shape allows your trailer to swivel while you twist and turn with the container on your tail.
Trailer hitch balls come in various diameters, shank lengths, weight capacities, and ball diameters, depending on your towing requirements.
Different Hitch Ball Sizes:
Hitch balls come in a variety of sizes.
These hitch ball sizes are popular and serve different purposes for weight requirements.
Some of these sizes are as follows:
1-7/8-inch
These hitch balls are for light-duty trailers and can carry up to 3,500 pounds.
2-inch
These hitch balls are for medium containers and can pull up to 3,500 pounds to 5,000 pounds.
2-5/16-inch
These hitch balls are for heavy trailers. These are rated for up to 30,000 pounds and can tow large agricultural and commercial vans.
3-inch
This size of hitch balls is for gooseneck trailers.
50mm hitch ball
It is relatively less known. However, it’s commonly used for European containers.
The size-to-weight ratio can guide you in picking the one ideal for your requirements.
Most Popular Hitch Ball Sizes:
Although the volumes I have discussed above are commonly used, you can choose any per your requirements.
This video has been included to clarify the topic. Credit goes to Thrifty Garage
However, the most popular hitch ball size among these is the 2-inch hitch ball size.
It is the size that lies in the middle. Most people prefer to invest in a hitch ball size that varies between their weight requirements and is multipurpose.
The 2-inch ball size is neither light-duty nor heavy-duty. It lies somewhere between, thus serving the purpose of numerous class three hitches.
Of course, class three hitches are the most popular among the trailer hitches.
Although a 2-inch hitch ball size is the most popular, I recommend you assess your requirements first instead of going for a size that fits all.
How Do You Know Which Trailer Ball Size You Need?
People often ask how we know which trailer ball size is right for us?
Well, the size you need for your trailer depends upon the following three things:
- Coupler Size
- Trailer Ball Hole Diameter
- Towing Capacity
The most crucial point is understanding the significance of resonance between these three factors.
Ensure your trailer’s ball diameter is equal to your coupler’s size and that the shank diameter fits the ball hole. Your weight capacity should be enough to tow your trailer safely and soundly.
Why Should the Ball Hitch and Coupler be the Same Size?
The coupler and ball hitch should be the equivalent size.
It means the diameter of the trailer ball is precisely equal to the internal opening of the coupler. You can easily find these measurements in the components, as the manufacturers usually stamp them there for convenience.
The difference between the ball hitch and the coupler’s measurement can create a risky towing, leading to a disconnection between the tow vehicle and the trailer.
You can adjust the coupler to help eradicate play-in-the-ball connection.
How to Choose a Trailer Ball Hitch?
It is essential to pick the correct hitch ball, as it is not like picking up a standard size with all the products.
Considering and evaluating a few factors is crucial to finding the perfectly compatible duo.
1. Tongue Weight of the Trailer
The hitch ball placement aims to bear the trailer’s weight; you will connect with your towing vehicle.
Please ensure you choose a product that is adept at carrying the weight you expect it to carry and pull.
Thus, observing the trailer’s tongue weight is crucial, as it matches the weight capacity of the hitch ball you are considering.
2. Diameter and Size
You know the hitch ball you choose must fit into the coupler or hitch receiver. So, ensure the correct size and diameter fit the complete unit.
Find out the required size before you make a purchase. This ensures that the hitch ball and the coupler are the same size.
When choosing the trailer ball, select the ball diameter first by matching it to the coupler size. Most companies label or stamp the accurate trailer ball size on the coupler for your convenience.
Make sure your trailer ball and coupler have a concrete connection before you start towing.
3. Match the Shank to the Trailer Ball Hole
Another important step that involves choosing a hitch ball is matching the shank to the trailer ball hole.
The hole in the board is where the trailer ball bolts onto a ball mount or bumper hitch. Knowing the thickness of this hole is imperative so you can pick a trailer ball that matches the shank diameter accurately.
What happens if the trailer ball shank is too small? In such cases, it will move while towing and probably come loose.
Similarly, what happens if the shank size is too small for the trailer ball hole? In such cases, you may be required to use a reducer bushing to compensate for the difference.
4. Check the Weight Capacity of Your Complete Towing System
When deciding on a trailer ball or towing accessory, you must always consider weight capacity.
The weight rating for a trailer ball is often listed as the ball capacity. Please note that this will represent the gross trailer weight limit (GTL), not the tongue weight.
You must pick a trailer ball with a capacity surpassing your trailer’s gross weight.
How Can You Measure Trailer Hitch Ball Size?
There are four key things to determine the accurate measurement of the trailer ball.
These four measurements are as follows:
Ball Diameter
Ball diameter is the diameter of the sphere of a trailer ball. Generally, these hitch balls come with the diameter measurement stamped on the top of the sphere.
However, if it isn’t or you still want to measure the diameter yourself, you can do that with a tape measure or a ruler. You need the diameter reading to match your coupler’s size.
First, hold a ruler horizontally on the hitch ball and sight down directly from above. Secondly, align the first mark of the ruler with the broadest part of the ball on one side and check where the other side is for ball alignment.
The ball measurement should lie between 1 7/8, 2, or 2 5/16 inches.
Shank Length
You can understand the shank length as the total distance of the threaded stem – measure it with the help of a tape measure or ruler, taking a reading from the bottom of the base to the ends of the thread.
The length doesn’t directly affect the towing capacity, but it needs to be long enough to fit your mounting platform.
Shank Diameter
Similarly, shank diameter is the measurement of the diameter of the shank or the threaded stem. Using the same tools, find the diameter using a measuring tape or a ruler.
As for the shank diameter, here is a detailed way to measure the shank diameter.
Firstly, lay the threaded part of the ball’s shank on the ruler and sight down to measure the shank’s diameter. As mentioned earlier, the shank is the bolt-like shaft that extends below the ball.
Its diameter should lie between 5/8, 3/4, 1, 1 1/4, or 1 3/8 inches.
Rise
Lastly, find out the rise. It is the measurement of the thickness of the base, or you can explain it as how high the trailer hitch ball sits off its base.
This reading will determine the rise your trailer hitch ball would add to your hitch assembly.
Tips for Correct Measurement
Most manufacturers mention the sizes of hitch balls on top of the sphere and the dimensions of couplers.
However, if you want to do that yourself, here are a few tips to get it done right:
- To determine the diameter of the ball, cut a strip of paper about 1/2 inch wide and wrap it around the widest part of the ball.
- Mark where it overlaps itself, and measure it after you unwrap it.
- Divide the measurement by 3.14 to calculate the diameter and round it to one of the three standard widths.
- According to Hitch House USA’s Towing Tips, the hole in the mounting platform for the ball’s shank should be no more than 1/16 larger than the shank.
- Always check the trailer and automobile manuals for information on fitting the hitch, necessary equipment, towing capacity, and safety advice.
- Hitch balls come in high-rise and regular heights as well.
These high-rise balls support a more extended base, thus placing the ball higher above the mounting platform.
Only pick a high-rise ball if you need additional height to level a trailer whose coupler is higher than your vehicle’s hitch.
FAQs
How do I know which hitch ball size I need?
The required hitch ball size is typically marked on the trailer coupler. Consult the trailer’s owner’s manual or manufacturer’s specifications.
Can one hitchball fit all trailers?
Due to varying coupler sizes, one hitch ball cannot fit all trailers. Using the correct size is essential for a safe and secure connection.
Can I tow a larger trailer by just upgrading my hitchball?
No, the towing capacity is determined by multiple factors, including the vehicle’s towing capacity, the hitch receiver class, and the hitch ball’s weight rating. All components must be appropriately rated to tow a larger trailer safely.
How do I maintain my hitchball?
Regularly inspect your hitch ball for signs of wear, rust, or damage. Please keep it clean and lightly lubricated to prevent rust and ensure smooth operation. If it shows significant wear or damage, replace it.
Wrapping Up
Several key factors are crucial in assessing the most popular hitch ball sizes. One is the hitch ball’s weight capacity, paramount for safe towing practices.
This capacity, coupled with the tongue weight, ensures a proper balance during towing. The tongue weight is the amount of the trailer’s weight that applies downward pressure on the tow vehicle’s hitch.
The coupler size and the trailer hitch ball diameter must align perfectly. Any mismatch could lead to complications during towing processes and compromise safety.
Similarly, the shank length, part of the hitch ball that inserts into the ball mount, impacts compatibility with the mounting platform and must be considered when choosing among the most popular hitch ball sizes.
Another critical factor is the compatibility of diameter and size. These must be suitable for a secure connection between the trailer and the tow vehicle.
Lastly, rise, which determines the height of the trailer hitch ball from the base to the top of the shank, is another critical element to consider.
In conclusion, selecting from the most popular hitch ball sizes involves careful consideration of weight capacity, tongue weight, coupler size, shank length, diameter, size compatibility, and rise.
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