Shorten trailer ball mount?

[Arcking]

I finally got tired of switching trailer balls (1 7/8" and 2") so I bought on these:

As many of you know, it protrudes further from the bumper than the OEM ball mount does. As such, I assume the force exerted on the hitch is greater due to a longer lever arm and the contraption gets in the way more.

My question is, do you think I should have the mount shortened and a hole for the pin drilled closer to the ball so that the placement closer mimics the OEM? What's the best way to do that?

 

[Bamaskeet]

I doubt that a moderate change in the length of your ball mount will effect how the truck tows unless you are towing near the max.

 

[12guns]

I know what you mean that it's too long. If I had one like yours I would cut it off and drill a new hole. Mine is solid forged so I can't do that (at least I'm not going to spend 12 hours drilling w/ my 18v drill!) But I also agree w/ the previous post that it won't make much difference in the rear sag. If the annoying length is bothering you cut it off. If it's the rear sag, get some airbags or FJ springs.

 

[Colemanfu]

Not sure what you plan to haul but here is a pix of my rig with 300lbs hanging off the back. Done it for 6 or so years with no problems. Cut and inch off and drill a new home - had to do it for a 8in drop hitch that did not fit cause it hit my spare tire. Not a big deal.

 

[offshorebear]

I wouldn't modify the length if you are towing a trailer. If your hitch is really long, effectively the tongue is exerting a smaller moment on the hitch. Everything should cancel out.

Now if you are using a hitch carrier of sorts, shorter may be better.

 

[8086bruce]

:iagree:

 

[Arcking]

Thanks for the input. I rarely tow anything of significant weight, so I guess the only good reason to cut it would be looks. I'll probably just leave it as is so that if I need to loan it to someone else they won't have fit issues.

 

[Nuke]

For a long time, I used to tow 3 differnt trailers; 1 with a 1 7/8" receiver and the other with a 2". I also got tired of switching balls (that just sounds so wrong...) and ended up buying a "convert-a-ball", if I recall the name correctly. It's a single SS shaft that comes with 1 7/8" and 2" balls which can be swapped out in seconds. The rating is no lower than that of a single ball unit.

 

[TechWrench]

I tow three different trailers, a camper, utility trailer, and boat trailer. Each has a different size ball, and ride height, so a separate ball mount with ball is necessary for each to obtain the correct towing height so trailer is level when towing. I don't leave the ball mount in the receiver, when not towing, so it is not that big a deal to install the proper one for the trailer I am going to tow, when needed. IMHO, the one big drawback to the one size fits all ball mounts is the they do not allow for adjustment of the ball height. Most trailer hitches are not high enough to ride level with the height of the 4Runner receiver hitch without some amount of drop to the ball mount. This will cause the trailer to ride nose high, which can cause the rear of the trailer to drag when going over driveway ramps, and might also cause trailer sway.

 

[VNT]

I have the same thing, had it for a year now. I tow 4x8 trailer with two dirt bikes with no problems

 

[CarreraGuy]

2" ball mount will not fit into 2" hitch receiver?

I have a 2004 4Runner V8, 2x4, and for the first time, I need to tow a car hauler trailer. I tried to use the adustable 2" ball mount that I use on my Chevy pickup, but it does not fit in the Toyota receiver. It will go only about one inch into the hitch's receiver but will not go further.

I greased it, but have not pounded on it. I have checked the inside of the receiver, but cannot find any bumps or ridges to stop it from going in further. I have tried it four or five times over a week now.

I noticed in the owner's manual (p. 308) that we are supposed to use "a mount attachment specified for a 4Runner." Who makes that specification? Toyota or the people who make ball mounts? Does T want us to buy their mount?

I assumed that a 2" mount would fit any 2" receiver. Not in this case.

The adjustable mount I am trying to use looks pretty standard. I need it because of the big drop from the 4Runner. The mount is also not long enough to hit the spare tire.

Recommendations? Should I hone down the mount's shaft a little or work on the inside of the receiver? It slides into the Chevy hitch easily, so I hate to make it smaller. Or should I just pound on it a little?

Thanks!

 

[TechWrench]

I have a 2004 4Runner V8, 2x4, and for the first time, I need to tow a car hauler trailer. I tried to use the adustable 2" ball mount that I use on my Chevy pickup, but it does not fit in the Toyota receiver. It will go only about one inch into the hitch's receiver but will not go further.

I greased it, but have not pounded on it. I have checked the inside of the receiver, but cannot find any bumps or ridges to stop it from going in further. I have tried it four or five times over a week now.

I noticed in the owner's manual (p. 308) that we are supposed to use "a mount attachment specified for a 4Runner." Who makes that specification? Toyota or the people who make ball mounts? Does T want us to buy their mount?

I assumed that a 2" mount would fit any 2" receiver. Not in this case.

The adjustable mount I am trying to use looks pretty standard. I need it because of the big drop from the 4Runner. The mount is also not long enough to hit the spare tire.

Recommendations? Should I hone down the mount's shaft a little or work on the inside of the receiver? It slides into the Chevy hitch easily, so I hate to make it smaller. Or should I just pound on it a little?

Thanks!

This is a known problem with the early 4th gen's (I'm not sure when they fixed it). The Toyota hitch receiver is sized a bit on the small size, and not all 'standard' 2" ball mounts and other towing accessories will fit nicely. You first have to make sure all the built up rust is removed from the inner surfaces of the receiver socket. Then if the ball mount still doesn't fit, check the corners of the tube. Sometimes the corner radius on the ball mount doesn't match the inner radius of the corners on the receiver, and fileing the ball mount corners will do the trick. I would suggest that you do NOT pound the ball mount into the receiver until it fits, because removing it might be a bit of a problem afterwards. I have five different ball mounts for my '03, and I found that prior to buying one at a NAPA, I had to try them first to make sure it fit. I found that two of the same item might fit differently because of slight differences in manufacturing tolerances.

 

[Gerdo]

Cut it off so it slides in to where you want, mark and drill new holes into it.

I have done this a few times without issues.

 

[settytb]

I just had the same issue... I got a d-ring holder custom made from a buddy and it was too long. I took an 4.5 inch angle grinder and ground off about 2 inches on the end to shorten it up some...

Then after all that it wouldn't fit. So I took my dremel to the inside and got it pretty flush from what i could see. Even then it was really tight...so i took a hammer and got it in there. (not sure how i'm going to get it out. I bought a locking hitch pin so someone doesn't steal it. And it wouldn't really fit through the hitch pin hole WTF?!?!??! so i took a hammer and it is in there now. Hope I don't need to remove it anytime soon as it would be quite the process...

FYI 03 v6 with stock reciever. (it does seem on the small side.)