Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

by **Carter** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 4:05 pm

Would more people prefer a 1 7/8" or 2" coupler?

I went to the local parts dealer today to pick up a 2" Shelby coupler for 2" tubing. He was out. I started looking at the 1 7/8" unit and started wondering what most people would prefer. I use a 2" for my bigger trailer and was going to get that size for the tear frame I was starting. The 1 7/8" is rated at 2000 lbs with 200 lbs tongue load, well within a normal teardrop range. I believe the mounting bolt pattern is different so they are not interchangeable. Which would you prefer?

Jim

by **TimJones** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 4:23 pm

don't leave out 2 5/16 :lol:

I thinkk 1 7/8 is fine with smaller tow vehcles

by **caseydog** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 5:10 pm

If you have one trailer with one size, and another with another size, it will drive you nuts. My TD had a 2-inch and my utility trailer had a 1-7/8. Grrrrrrr.

From now on, it's nothing but 2-inch for me. :yes:

by **asianflava** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 5:25 pm

I try to keep them all the same. Both my TD and car hauler have 2in. If I ever bought another trailer and it had 1 7/8in ball, I'd probably change the coupler to a 2in. If I got a trailer with a larger ball, I'd keep it because there is a reason they went with a larger ball, weight rating.

by **Carter** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 8:54 pm

Thanks, I wouldn't buy anything but a 2", just curious why they still make the 1 7/8". I understand weight ratings but I've heard too many stories of people using a small ball with a 2" coupler. Sounds like an accident waiting to happen.

Jim

by **caseydog** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 9:18 pm

Carter wrote: just curious why they still make the 1 7/8".

Jim

You and me both. We are talking a 1/8 difference. Why??? Just make them all 2-inch and be done with it, IMO.

CD

by **starleen2** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 9:23 pm

caseydog wrote:
Carter wrote: just curious why they still make the 1 7/8".

Jim

You and me both. We are talking a 1/8 difference. Why??? Just make them all 2-inch and be done with it, IMO.

CD

the ansswer is to sell more balls

by **Carter** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 9:28 pm

I work in the automotive industry (at least this week) and am just as comfortable in metric. If we had switched when Canada did we could have a 50mm and been done with it.
Jim

by **Micro469** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 10:06 pm

Carter wrote:I work in the automotive industry (at least this week) and am just as comfortable in metric. If we had switched when Canada did we could have a 50mm and been done with it.
Jim

We still have 1 7/8 and 2" balls up here.......Our balls are the same size as your balls.............

:roll:

by **Carter** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 10:44 pm

Our balls are the same size as your balls

I know, and you have 4x8 plywood and we have 2 liter bottles of Coke. I just wish Quebec and Washington would have spent a dime or two on phone calls to each other in the 70's. Either switched or not. As it is we're still using body parts to measure and your conversion stalled. We're both using 2 systems but not on the same things.

End of Rant...Goodnight. I'm going to drink from a QUART of milk and go to bed

by **bobhenry** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 11:37 pm

FOUND THIS KINDA INTERESTING .............

http://www.draw-tite.com/menu/productcontent.asp?sidemenu=productmenu2&content=main/hitchballs&cat=1200&path=Hitch+Balls

by **bobhenry** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 11:42 pm

I purchased drawtites interchangeable ball system. It comes as a 1 7/8 and 2 inch set and the 2 5/16 is availadle as a special order. This says there is a 3 ball system but I have never seen it.

http://www.draw-tite.com/menu/productcontent.asp?sidemenu=productmenu2&content=main/hitchballs&cat=1200&path=Hitch+Balls

Mine came with a 3 ball carrying case making it easy to keep track of everyone. I have 2 tears both with 1 7/8 receivers on their HF frames. My utility trailer and 16' camper are 2" and my 20' flat bed is 2 5/16 "so it is a neat idea. The problem is with 4 tow vehicles and each trailer having a different ride height I still requires different drops and raises of ball mounts to get the trailers to pull properly.

by **Gerdo** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 9:57 am

All of my trailers (3- one TD and two utilities) are all 2". I would also swap out a 1 7/8" for a 2" if I bought a trailer with one. Keeping things consistant can minimize mistakes.

True story. I was on this job. The company that I was out with had multiple tow vehicles and trailers. All of the trailers are 2 5/16". Over 2000 miles into a trip, one of the vehicles lost their trailer. It turns out that that vehicle had a 2" ball on it. It held on untill one good bump when it decided to come off at highway speed.

by **cokebottle10** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 10:56 am

I needed to use a trailer to get a old truck from a friend. I borrowed one from the place that I was working and pulled it home with the company 1/2 ton truck. The company truck had a reese hitch and two inch ball with no trailer brakes. The trailer was empty but stilled weighted about 2500 lb. I was going to use my 3/4 truck (with trailer brakes) to go get the old truck. I could not read the size of the trailer coupler on the coupler. The area that it was printed was damaged. When I connected it and pulled it up and down to make sure that it was okay it seem to be fine. However when I hit a bad bump at 65mph, I looked in the rear view and here was the trailer traveling sideways behind me still attacted by the safety chains. WEEEEEE... what a ride. :shock:

I took up both lanes and the brake down lane to get it back under control. Then I eased it over into the grass and let the grass slow me and the trailer down to a stop. The trailer turned out to have a 2-5/16 coupler. Because the truck had about 800 lb on it and the trailer was empty I was able to save it with a bit of luck. (lucky no one was next to me) :worship:

The only damge was a small dent to the truck rear bumper and new underpants for me. I moved most of the load from the back of the truck to the trailer tongue. Then I drove slowly to the next exit and found a auto parts store that sold me a 2-5/16 ball.

Anyway all my trailers now have 2 inch balls, and all my furture trailers will have 2 inch balls. I also bend down now and look under the coupler to make sure it is tight and not just bonce it up and down. I also use a pin to make sure the coupler is locked down.

One more thing: If I had trailer brakes then I could have lock them up and the trailer would have stopped me in a controlled straight line. A brake away kit will do the same thing. I now have one installed on my car hauler.

David.

by **caseydog** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 11:50 am

bobhenry wrote:Mine came with a 3 ball carrying case making it easy to keep track of everyone.

So, do you hang that bag with the two extra balls below the hitch for storage? :thinking:

Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Coupler Survey 1 7/8" or 2"

Coupler Survey 1 7/8" or 2"

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