What size ball mount size?

[Black02]

I will be purchasing a small utility trailer for hauling debris from the yard and such...My question is, Now that I have a three inch suspension lift, what drop size ball mount do i need to get? what should I get the standard 2" ball or 1 7/8"?

Thanks all...

 

[Gerdo]

Ball size? You are going to have to check the tongue/coupler on the trailer. Most are 2", some small trailers are 1 7/8" and bigger ones are 2 15/16"

Don't guess, make sure. Too big of a ball and it won't couple. Too small of a ball and the trailer could fall off, I've seen this first hand.

How much drop? Level the trailer with the trailer jack and measure the bottom of the coupler to the ground. Add a couple of inches. The distance between that and the bottom of the 2" receiver hole will give you the drop. Why a couple of inches up? The suspension will squat some and it's better to have the tongue up a little. You could get an adjustable draw bar. Some use pins to change height and some use a bolt adjuster.

 

[Black02]

Ball size? You are going to have to check the tongue/coupler on the trailer. Most are 2", some small trailers are 1 7/8" and bigger ones are 2 15/16"

Don't guess, make sure. Too big of a ball and it won't couple. Too small of a ball and the trailer could fall off, I've seen this first hand.

How much drop? Level the trailer with the trailer jack and measure the bottom of the coupler to the ground. Add a couple of inches. The distance between that and the bottom of the 2" receiver hole will give you the drop. Why a couple of inches up? The suspension will squat some and it's better to have the tongue up a little. You could get an adjustable draw bar. Some use pins to change height and some use a bolt adjuster.

I guess I should have been clear that I do not yet have a trailer. I am looking at several different ones on craigslist. I want to be prepared to haul it, when i go to see it with cash in hand.
Of course I would need to know what ball size the trailer needs, but as far as the average height for trailers, what is the standard drop people are running? This will only be a small 4x6-8" trailer used to haul yard debris.

Thanks for the good info however!

 

[Gerdo]

My trailers have a hitch that is ~14"-16" off the ground.
So if you measure the bottom of the receiver hole to the ground then subtract 14" that should give you the drop needed. Most trailers that size are 2". The cheap harbor freight trailers are 1 7/8".

You could but a few different size drops and a 1 7/8" and a 2" ball then when you find a trailer choose the right one and return the unused ones. Don't forget a wrench and a hitch pin.

Walmart will probably have everything you need at a good price.

 

[Black02]

My trailers have a hitch that is ~14"-16" off the ground.
So if you measure the bottom of the receiver hole to the ground then subtract 14" that should give you the drop needed. Most trailers that size are 2". The cheap harbor freight trailers are 1 7/8".

You could but a few different size drops and a 1 7/8" and a 2" ball then when you find a trailer choose the right one and return the unused ones. Don't forget a wrench and a hitch pin.

Walmart will probably have everything you need at a good price.

Awesome thank you!

 

[cordrayj1]

unless ur towing a trailor with some serious tongue weight, leave it alone. it aint worth it. the bigger the ball the stronger. thats all u need to know on that. 2" is pretty standard. i never use a 1 7/8 anymore (for anything).

 

[cj80cruiser]

unless ur towing a trailor with some serious tongue weight, leave it alone. it aint worth it. the bigger the ball the stronger. thats all u need to know on that. 2" is pretty standard. i never use a 1 7/8 anymore (for anything).

Gotcha, bigger balls are the way to go. What do ya think of these? :moon: LOL, couldn't resist.

Seriously, 2" is more than likely going to be what you want but there are hitches that have the welded on 3 ball type...expensive but useful if you need 3 balls

 

[Pikeman]

I would figure out the drop you might need as mentioned above and then I believe Reese makes drop ball mounts labeled as Single wrench ball change. the ball has a big forged in nut that drops into a holder on the top side of the bracket and then you just need one wrench for the bottom nut to loosen and remove. Buy the receiver hitch with the 2" ball and then can get a 1 7/8 and the 2 15/16. This will give you the drop you need and a quick way to change between sizes. ****I do agree large majority of trailers in past years will have the 2" coupler**** The 2 15/16 are for heavy duty trailers that would be rated for more then our 4 Runner is rated to haul.