Neat little trick conversion

[Navyvette]

I am moving and instead of paying to have my RV moved this time I decided to pull it and I rented a U-Haul to pull my 20’ cargo trailer. The only problem I had was my trailer is setup with a 2 5/16” coupler and the U-Haul has a welded 2” ball rated for 10k. My trailer is lighter than this and even though the U-Haul has a 2” channel to put an offset hitch in I really didn’t want to spend a ton of money on an entire hitch just for the one trip.
So how to use a 2” ball with a 2 5/16” coupler? I found this, I didn’t even know these existed but super cheap and as long as I’m not exceeding the rating of the 2” ball.

Link

Neat little piece to have in the tool box

[mkirsch]

For all you grumpy old pharts out there who refuse to educate yourselves before spouting your opinions... (Wasn't it Grit Dog that said something akin to, "better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt" in another recent thread?)

The description of the ball adapter is, "Replacement 2-5/16" Adapter for Weigh Safe Hitch Ball with Built-In Scale."

So I went and looked at the Weigh Safe Hitch Ball With Built-In Scale.

This item here: https://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Ball/Weigh-Safe/WSUN-1.html

Specs:

Ball diameter: 2"
2-5/16" Diameter with included adapter
Weight capacity: 10,000 lbs
Tongue weight capacity: 1,500 lbs
Shank diameter: 1"

The adapter is designed for full-time use on a ball that has a 1500lb tongue weight rating and a 10,000lb trailer weight capacity.

Being clamped INSIDE a trailer coupler, where's it gonna go? What's it gonna do? NOWHERE, and NOTHING are the correct answers.

[Dave_H_M]

Kool gizmo there. Thanks for posting.

Of course every good idea comes with a bunch of the usual nay sayers.

I know my 2" ball is bolted on to the receiver, but it may take a 2" impact to break that big "kinda" rusty nut loose. :h

[Grit_dog]

Too many worry warts here. My biggest concern would be whatever Uhaul you are renting being too anemic to tow a trailer without being a burden on your trip.
If you're getting a moving van AND towing the trailer, consider a Penske or similar moving van on a bigger chassis.
I got sick of the Uhaul junk and runaround years ago. Last time I did what you're planning I got a big Penske truck class 6 or whatever it was and cruised at max speed the whole way with snowmachine trailer in tow.
Nice to not be dogging a u haul turd all loaded down. But maybe u haul is better now?
Haven't moved with a moving van since 2011

[Grit_dog]

Ozlander wrote:

DownTheAvenue wrote:
Your U-Haul contract specifically disallows the use of any of their vehicles to pull any trailer other than one of theirs that you have rented. You better read that rental contract carefully, as you may find yourself in a very difficult legal situation.

And all of their trailers have a 45 mph limit.
How does that work for you?

Lol, who cares? The u haul cops?

[BenK]

Hannibal....Thank you and X3 to Barney's comment

Been looking for an example of ratings...going up to and over...and fatigue failure...

Just a maybe some will understand that Laws of Physics"...

That 2" dia ball has a rating. As does the 2 5/16" dia ball. As does all tow balls

The one that comes with that U-Haul Rental has had hundreds to thousands of different drivers and tens of thousands of miles

Some just drive it...too many abuse it because it is not theirs (IMHO, lease vehicles are in the same boat)

Will break on the OP's trip ?....most likely not, but there is a chance Mr Murphy might cross his path during that trip...


Same thing with the forever disbelief here on these forums of the OEM's ratings for TV's...heck anything out there...

[BarneyS]

I agree with Hannibal above. I might use it for a short, local move but anything longer I would not.
I would not be concerned about the trailer coming off the ball because of the WD bars holding it on, but would be concerned with the diameter of the shaft of the ball being able to take the loads put on it by a trailer that needed a larger ball.
Barney

[Hannibal]

I wouldn't be worried about the adapter. I'd be concerned about the rating of the stem of the 2" ball towing a trailer heavy enough to require a 2 5/16" ball.

[DownTheAvenue]

Ozlander wrote:

DownTheAvenue wrote:
Your U-Haul contract specifically disallows the use of any of their vehicles to pull any trailer other than one of theirs that you have rented. You better read that rental contract carefully, as you may find yourself in a very difficult legal situation.

And all of their trailers have a 45 mph limit.
How does that work for you?

The rental contract does not specify a 45 mph limit. They paint that on the trailer but that is not a legal contract. I am an attorney and have done some work for someone who had a wreck towing a U Haul trailer so I am familiar with the issues. The OP should be very careful.

[BarabooBob]

From the U Haul truck user intructions:
"If you plan to tow your own trailer, check with a U-Haul representative to determine the maximum trailer weight you can tow. Make sure your trailer is properly loaded, that the coupler and safety chains are attached and that the trailer lights are working properly. See your trailer owner's manual for more information."
This is in your legal contract. If you violate it, I would drive very cautiously and have a thick wallet.

[Ozlander]

DownTheAvenue wrote:
Your U-Haul contract specifically disallows the use of any of their vehicles to pull any trailer other than one of theirs that you have rented. You better read that rental contract carefully, as you may find yourself in a very difficult legal situation.

And all of their trailers have a 45 mph limit.
How does that work for you?

[carringb]

All modern U-haul trucks 14' and longer have a standard 2" receiver as well. I think only the little single-rear-wheel trucks don't get them, and those have a way lower rating anyways

[DownTheAvenue]

Your U-Haul contract specifically disallows the use of any of their vehicles to pull any trailer other than one of theirs that you have rented. You better read that rental contract carefully, as you may find yourself in a very difficult legal situation.

[WTP-GC]

I wouldn't hesitate to use that at all!
To the comment about losing the trailer...a 2 5/16" coupler that's not wore out will not come off a a 2" ball. Not that I would ever recommend towing like this, but believe it or not, people do it everyday simply because they don't know the difference. I've personally towed short trips this way with an unloaded trailer because I was in a pinch.

[All_I_could_aff]

I have never seen or heard of these before this. While not the hot set up for a permanent use, I could see it coming in very handy in a pinch