trailer ball ratings

[185EZ]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[Lwiddis]

X2, BenK!

[mosseater]

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]

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]

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]

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

[wanderingaimles]

Usually the trailer manufacturers select the coupling to match the maximum weight that a trailer is rated for.
Your choice of ball should likewise follow the max for the ball by size.
While your enclosed trailer, loaded as you load it weighs about 5700, why would you not buy the heaviest rating on your ball and insert? Next week or year you may want to tow a trailer that weighs 2000 lbs more, Buy the heavier duty components if they still fit your equipment otherwise.