Not sure if anyone else has had this happen, but I shattered one of the swivel sockets on my equalizer hitch making a tight turn. According to Equalizer, the shank on the ball cannot be > 2 3/8".The shortest shank I can find is 2 1/2". I "think" the one installed now is 2 5/16. Anybody no where to find one 2 3/8" shank or shorter?

Etrailer? If you don't see what you need, call them. They are excellent.

Or if you need one faster go to a local U-Haul joint. They have lots of choices.

Campfire Time wrote:Etrailer? If you don't see what you need, call them. They are excellent.Thanks; I checked it out. Still looks like 2 1/2" shank length is as short as it gets for that size ball. I'll have to give them or equalizer a call back. Thanks again.

It's hard to imagine that 1/8" will make much of a difference. In a pinch you could grind that much off a 2 1/2".

What shank diameter is needed? I see plenty shorter than 2 3/8" on etrailer

Help with finding hitch ball | Good Sam Community

18 Replies

GeoBoy
Explorer
Apr 15, 2015
Why don't you just buy the Equalizer brand and get it over with?
BigSur2
Explorer
Apr 08, 2015
Thanks!!!!!
rockhillmanor
Explorer II
Apr 08, 2015
Lynnmor wrote:
Take the ball to a local machine shop and have them saw of the excess. If you bring it to me in PA, I'll cut it down for free.

X2
I went to a custom rod frame shop. There is one in just about every town.

They cut what I needed when I found out Reese and Draw-Tite don't place nice together.

AND, more importantly.....

They know the whole mathematical specs of what takes what to hold what safely!
BigSur2
Explorer
Apr 08, 2015
Just wanted to follow up on this. The ball I went with is a 10k lb rated ball, which is okay for my trailer weight; however, are there any issues with adding a washer to reduce shank length? I only paid $12 for the ball, so if it makes sense to just trash it and reorder a ball from equalizer, I'm going to do that.
BigSur2
Explorer
Apr 07, 2015
Thanks for all the help on this. I got busy with travel. Ended up installing the 2.5' shank....but you're right...still too long. I am going to add a washer or order a new one from Equalizer like you recommended. Thanks.
JBarca
Nomad II
Apr 02, 2015
BigSur2 wrote:

The shortest shank I can find is 2 1/2". I "think" the one installed now is 2 5/16. Anybody no where to find one 2 3/8" shank or shorter?

If you have 2 1/2" shank and need to get it ~ 1/4" shorter, use a heavy flat washer on the shank. See here. I needed the ball height but it will shorten the shank too.

Hope this helps

John
lbrjet
Explorer
Apr 02, 2015
As others have said buy the Equal-i-zer brand ball. You are not the first poster on here who messed up their socket buying something else.
owenssailor
Explorer
Apr 01, 2015
I ordered the hitch ball from Equal-i-zer and had it properly torqued at a heavy truck shop.
Lynnmor
Explorer II
Apr 01, 2015
Take the ball to a local machine shop and have them saw of the excess. If you bring it to me in PA, I'll cut it down for free.
Ron3rd
Explorer III
Apr 01, 2015
BarneyS wrote:
I would just order a ball from Equal-i-zer.
Barney

And get ready to have some fun installing it. Don't ask me how I know.

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Help with finding hitch ball

18 Replies

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