Bent Trailer Hitch Ball

[jjlhampton]

Made the jump from hybrid trailer to a Jayco 267BH in May and have had it out about 14 days. Towing with a 2012 Ford F-150 with the max towing package so I haven't been concerned with being too heavy. This last weekend as I was getting ready to hook up to head home I noticed that hitch ball was bent. Not only did the ball shaft appear bent but the area around where it attached to the hitch also appeared to be bent. I didn't notice it when heading out and didn't back into anything. The hitch and ball setup is between 5-7 years old. Any insight on what you think may have occured would be greatly appreciated. I'm looking at getting the truck and trailer into Camping World to see if I did something incorrectly or if they notice an issue.

[Ralph_Cramden]

pira114 wrote:
One recommendation I have is go back to camping world and make them fix all this at zero cost to you.

X2 - But good luck getting those bozo's to own up to it. You can tell by the relation of the spring bars to the Aframe they also had the setup way off to boot.

You can obtain a replacement head for around $70, Curt part number 17107 and 1000lb bars for around $130, Curt part number 17106.

Your 800 lb bars may be just enough if properly set up however. Personally I would get the new head, 2 5/16 ball, readjust it and give it a try before I shelled out cash for the 1000lb bars.

Now the thread will probably be bombarded by those who think you need a $2000+ Propride or something.

SidecarFlip wrote:
Bent balls by 'One hung Loe":)

The Camping World tech who performed this quality installation was Sum Ting Wong assisted by Bang Ding Ow.

[pira114]

One recommendation I have is go back to camping world and make them fix all this at zero cost to you.

[jjlhampton]

Installation was performed by Camping World. Feeling real lucky now and thankful we've only camped within an hour of home. Tongue weight is 635 lbs and that is w/o the bells and whistles packed. So now looking at all new WDH w/ minimum 1000 lb. bars. Any recommendations on new WDH? Thank you again for all the help.

[windinmyface2]

SidecarFlip wrote:
Bent balls by 'One hung Loe":)

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[penguin149]

Are those WD bars 800# tongue weight? A 5400# TT will have 700#+ of tongue weight plus the weight of the hitch head, etc. That is REALLY close to, or exceeding, capacity. May want to research 1000# bars?

[RinconVTR]

The whole top mounting flange is bent, not just the ball.

Of course verify the ball size, get the hitch head replaced, and weight the tongue. I bet your tongue weight is way more than you think and that's not a very heavy duty WDH.

[nineoaks2004]

drsteve wrote:
Mr. Murphy must have been busy somewhere else that day.

I don't use Murphy's law, I use Schwartz's law, Schwartz says "Murphy is an optimist":)

However, I agree with everything else that was said..Need a 2 5/16 ball
If purchased from a dealer they should have noticed this on hook up

[GrandpaKip]

The real question now is...who set this up?

[ScottG]

Lynnmor wrote:
Now that we know he used the wrong ball, the coupler needs to be inspected for wear and damage. One lucky guy!

The rest of us on the road are lucky too!

[drsteve]

Mr. Murphy must have been busy somewhere else that day.

[IBcarguy]

You are a lucky guy. That ball could have failed at any time.

[DiskDoctr]

Hannibal wrote:
Needs a 2 5/16" ball with as large a diameter shank...

That's a good point. All the 2-5/16 balls I know have the larger diameter shank, which will also help fix your problem 😉

On the upside, it seems your upgrades to the correct size ball that matches your trailer and larger shank and stuff, is likely to have a very positive impact on your towing experience now and in the future 😉

Again, very good that you look at your gear and keep an eye on things BEFORE a problem crops up 😉

[jjlhampton]

Thanks again for all the help. Need a 2 5/16 ball, inspection of the trailers coupler, and hitch.

[Lynnmor]

Now that we know he used the wrong ball, the coupler needs to be inspected for wear and damage. One lucky guy!

[Hannibal]

The spring bars are the only thing that kept this rig from separating. Needs a 2 5/16" ball with as large a diameter shank as the hitch head will accept without the reducer sleeve. If the ball mount is bent, it should be replaced.