Forum Discussion

185EZ's avatar
185EZ
Explorer
Jul 25, 2019

trailer ball ratings

Never really thought much of it.
Trailer ball rated for more than what you're towing.
Looked at the 2" boat trailer ball. 6000#
Boat and trailer is about 5500# so I went up to 7500# ball
My enclosed trailer weighs 2600# and when I put the rzr in with all the stuff it's about 5700#. It has a 2 5/16" ball with a 1" shank rated at 7500#.
Should i go up to a 10,000# ball just to be safe?
Am I worrying too much?
Do you just buy the highest rating no matter what?
Anyone break a ball?
  • philh's avatar
    philh
    Explorer II
    Aug 04, 2019
    TravelinDog wrote:
    I saw a 2 5/16" ball the other day at Wallyworld rated at 14,000lbs. My TT only goes about 7500lbs fully loaded but I'm going to buy one anyway.
    I'd rather err on the side of overkill.

    The ratings are accurate, and there's a safety margin. Being that far under the max rating, I wouldn't worry about it. As said above, don't over think it.
  • TravelinDog's avatar
    TravelinDog
    Explorer II
    Aug 04, 2019
    I saw a 2 5/16" ball the other day at Wallyworld rated at 14,000lbs. My TT only goes about 7500lbs fully loaded but I'm going to buy one anyway.
    I'd rather err on the side of overkill.
  • myredracer's avatar
    myredracer
    Explorer II
    Jul 29, 2019
    I just went back to using a stainless steel ball that we used to use on a previous setup because the ball with 1" rise we were using isn't needed now with a truck we just got.

    Not sure on the rating of the s/s 2-5/16" ball but it is quite a bit less than a standard steel one as I recall. The s/s steel ball looks nicer except when it has grease and dirt on it, which it does most of the time in the towing season.
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator
    Jul 28, 2019
    Unless you're grossly and I mean GROSSLY at one end of the spectrum with the load or the hitch ball, you will not break a trailer ball. Don't overthink it.
  • 97chevor's avatar
    97chevor
    Explorer
    Jul 26, 2019
    I found one curt 2and 5/16, 1 1/4 shank, rated 30k. I think it's actually for a gooseneck. I been using them in 2.5" shank ballmounts. I have experienced with a ball rated 10k the coupler actually biting into the ball. This does not happen with the one rated 30k.
  • mosseater's avatar
    mosseater
    Explorer II
    Jul 25, 2019
    I needed a 1" rise ball for my Dual Cam hitch to work right. I bought one off Amazon, I think its a Curt Brand. It was heat treated instead of Chrome, but I think the rating was 24k lbs. It's holding up well towing my 8000 lb trailer and 1100 lb tongue weight.
  • BenK's avatar
    BenK
    Explorer
    Jul 25, 2019
    What is the price difference between a cheap lower rated one vs the higher rated one ?

    I'll always spend a few bucks more, but that is just me...
  • 185EZ's avatar
    185EZ
    Explorer
    Jul 25, 2019
    Ya I figured just go to the highest rating
    Hopefully others will take a look and make sure they have the correct rating
    I guess my question was if my trailer is 5700# is a 7500# ball ok?
    A 6000# should be ok but there's no room for error
  • bgum's avatar
    bgum
    Explorer
    Jul 25, 2019
    Had a ball break in half top to bottom pulling a boat once. The only thing holding you together was the coupler. Fell to pieces when I removed the trailer. Must’ve been a defect

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