Hitch Receivers and Trailers

[Seon]

Ever get confused as to which ball receiver to to which trailer?

I tow multiple trailers (not all as once lol) , two with 2" and two with 2-5/16" couplers. Decided to spray paint the 2" ball receiver with Red and White on the 2-5/16". I also painted the trailer's coupler accordingly to match the sized ball receiver. Now there's no mistaking which receiver is used to which trailer. Just thought I'd share.

[Grit_dog]

^Sort of agree, they’re a gimmick. Or more precisely, made for the occasional user.
No one who tows with any regularity would use that thing.
The chance of getting enough uplift to shear the pin (double shear) is small, but the ad for it is also misleading as that little pin doesn’t have 21klbs shear strength even in double shear. It’s about half of that.
I agree, it is not a great product.

[JRscooby]

Retired JSO wrote:
1 7/8- 2- 2 5/16” Convert A Ball or Adapt a Ball good to 10,000 lbs. I pull a fifth wheel and keep Adapt a Ball on the stinger.

But not all types of trailer; Use that big ball, normal operation, there pressure on the little pin that holds it on. But when a boss tries to load a Bobcat, and the back of the machine nears the top of ramp, the coupler lifting on the ball shears pin, then coupler slams into tailgate, you don't want to let him see you laugh.

[Geo_Boy]

Buy a B&W Tow N Stow, tri ball hitch and be prepared for any bumper tow situation.

[Retired_JSO]

1 7/8- 2- 2 5/16” Convert A Ball or Adapt a Ball good to 10,000 lbs. I pull a fifth wheel and keep Adapt a Ball on the stinger.

[APT]

That's a good solution!

I also tow multiple trailers. I use a dedicated shank for my TT for the Reese Strait Line system that just stays in the trailer any time I'm not towing. I keep my TT at a storage lot about 5 miles from my home, so that receiver is always inside waiting when I go pick it up.

For every other trailer without WD, I have an adjustable height ball mount and a convert-a-ball for all 2 sizes for ultimate flexibility.

[MFL]

Seon...not a bad idea to mark/paint to be sure, especially if others are using your trailers too. IMO, a 2 5/16 is easy to tell from a 2".

I think some people just think the 1 7/8 ball is close enough, to use with a 2" coupler, until you hit a bump or X tracks. There is always the just put a rag in between guys too!

My trailers are either 2" ball or FW pin, and I can tell the difference. 🙂

Jerry

[Seon]

Last month I was following a car pulling an enclosed trailer with his Harley inside when suddenly the trailer jacked knifed and bounced around until the driver was able to stop. Fortunately there was no damaged to the Bike or trailer.
As I helped lift the trailer back on the receiver I noticed he had a 1-7/8" ball and the trailer's coupler a 2". That's when I decided to paint ball coupler to trailer.

[JRscooby]

I pull more than 1 trailer, and no 2 use same drop/ball size. I lock the ball in coupler when I store the trailer. This has the added advantage of when I pull the ball out of coupler to put mount in receiver, I'm sure the coupler is open to accept the ball when I hook up. Less chance of closing above the ball.

[4x4ord]

Hmm, maybe you and your wife should spray paint your feet so as to not get your shoes mixed up.;)

[Boomerweps]

Silver sharpies come in real handy for marking dark items.

[Grit_dog]

If you need to mark them for whatever reason needed to not confuse them, it’s a great idea.
M

[blt2ski]

Hmmm I had a couple of 2" trailers that needed different drops, a 1 7/8" different drop yet. A 2 5/16", along with a pintle hitch.
I never had any issues.
Did I mention four different rigs might pull any of the trailers. Some needed different drop it rise for that tow rig........

Whatever helps floats your boat. At the same time, not sure it's needed.

Marty

[valhalla360]

enblethen wrote:
Color coding is OK But can you remember what color is what?

I think it's like garanamals. If the trailer tongue and the hitch ball colors match, the size matches.

[Lwiddis]

Wondering how many tow with the wrong size ball. Very common IMO.