Are people so intent on proving themselves right that they will bicker over 6 pages of thread over <1% difference?
We're tightening a hitch ball here fellas, not machining parts for the space shuttle.
If the spec is 250 ft-lbs, it's not going to snap off at 251 ft-lbs, and it's not going to fall apart at 249 ft-lbs. Heck it's not going to snap off at 260 ft-lbs or fall apart at 240 ft-lbs. Everything has tolerances, except maybe space shuttle parts.
A 200lb guy putting all his weight on a 15" lever arm will exert 250 ft-lbs of torque. Stand on it until it stops turning, and maybe give it a little bounce-bounce for good measure. It's tight enough, and if you take it to the professional and have them put their torque wrench on it, I bet it will be within 5%