2" or 1-7/8" ball???

[zimbar]

Hi folks,
I'm starting to plan for my first Teardrop trailer and I've been looking though all the posts I can get my hands on. My '09 Charger has a hitch on the back with a 1-7/8" ball. I use it to tow my little 12' aluminum boat with. In my planning for the teardrop, I've looked at Northern Tool's and Harbor Freight's trailer that so many of you use. Both have a 2" coupling, and all of the trailer plans I've seen call for a 2" ball as well.

My question is....Why 2", what's wrong with changing out the coupling for the ball I already have?

Thanks,
Patrick

[asianflava]

Whichever one you choose, stick with it, this will prevent any mixups like using the 1 7/8in ball on the 2in coupler. Went to a gathering where someone's T@B came off the hitch because he accidentally did this. I like 2in because there are many more trailers that use it.

[Shadow Catcher]

I went with a 2" ball and because I wanted to use a bulldog hitch because this happened with a conventional hitch.

[zimbar]

Bulldog hitch???

I take it that a bulldog hitch is stronger than a regular hitch?

[KCStudly]

Bull Dog hitch is more secure because of its design. If you look at the last picture of this etrailer link you can see how the socket is hinged at the front to open, yet when closed it fully encases the ball with beefy casting (... maybe forging?) and has a locking collar that encircles the two halves holding them together. Unlike a std. coupler with a stamped steel tab that can go out of adjustment.

[GuitarPhotog]

I have 2 trailers, one with a 2" and one with a 1-7/8". I just keep two ball carriers, one for each size. Each trailer requires a different amount of drop, so they are easy to tell apart.

I don't see that this is a problem if you pay attention.

<Chas>

[DrewsBrews]

I had heard a 1 7/8" ball works with a 2" coupler, but I always had my doubts... enough that I won't do it myself on purpose. The coupler latch has an adjustment and if it is loose the extra 1/8" can make the difference between a noisy coupler and watching your trailer freestyle down the road.

1-7/8" is somewhat standard for light weight trailers, but 2" seems more widely used. Either should handle the weight of your average TD fine . You can swap out the coupler on a trailer for about $20. Which is about half the price of a convertaball (easy to swap between ball sizes) and less prone to mistakes if you stick to one ball/coupler size.

I did purchase a convertaball so I'd have the right size if I happen to spot a deal on the side of the road I can't pass up. But I plan to stick to one size on my trailers.

[zimbar]

I had heard a 1 7/8" ball works with a 2" coupler, but I always had my doubts... enough that I won't do it myself on purpose. The coupler latch has an adjustment and if it is loose the extra 1/8" can make the difference between a noisy coupler and watching your trailer freestyle down the road.

1-7/8" is somewhat standard for light weight trailers, but 2" seems more widely used. Either should handle the weight of your average TD fine . You can swap out the coupler on a trailer for about $20. Which is about half the price of a convertaball (easy to swap between ball sizes) and less prone to mistakes if you stick to one ball/coupler size.

I did purchase a convertaball so I'd have the right size if I happen to spot a deal on the side of the road I can't pass up. But I plan to stick to one size on my trailers.

Thanks DrewsBrews.
I think I'll stick with the 1-7/8 ball, since as you say it should be fine for a TD.

Zimbar

[booyah]

I have both a 1 7/8 ball and a 2" ball. I leave the 2" on the bar, but have switched out to the 1 7/8 when I needed it to tow a tiny utility trailer.

Like everything, make sure you have the one you need, and dont change it unless you NEED to

[Gerdo]

A lot of trailers have a bolt on hitch mount. If you want the simplicity of one size ball, swap one of the hitches to match the other.
2" balls are usually rated higher than the 1 7/8 but that shouldn't be an issue with a TD.

Personally, the HF hitch is kinda strange and I swapped mine out for a nice Reese.

[mikeschn]

My HF trailer came with a 1 7/8" hitch. It seems to work just fine, so I never changed it.

Mike...

[DrewsBrews]

2 and 5-16 for slow.... it wont fit most thieves trailer hitches on there cars!

What stops them from just dropping it on their smaller ball and taking off?

[lrrowe]

I made the mistake of driving over 350 mi round trip with a 2 5/16" coupler on a 2" ball. I had the obvious play in the connection but made it home ok. I do consider my self lucky (and stupid for not being more careful). I guess that is proof that a smaller ball can work for a thief.

[Padilen]

I have 1-7/8, 2, and 2-5/16 and pintle. Old school of thought was/is (?) 1-7/8 for light trailers around/under 3000 pounds loaded. I use 1-7/8 on things like wood splitter and row boat trailer and kayak trailer. My CT is 2". But since I have all sizes of balls already it's not worth my time and money I do not have to make the change to all 2". I do not think I've used the wrong ball but have forgotten to latch the coupler on a few times.

[Andrew Herrick]

1-7/8-inch ball couplers are either rated for 2,000 lbs (Class I) or 3,500 pounds (Class II). 2-inch balls might be Class II - Class IV. Most teardrops can be towed safely with a hitch of just about any size because very few weigh 2,000 pounds or more. What's more important is the tongue weight rating.

With that said, people seem to trust 2-inch ball couplers more. Just marketing. And they're more popular. So if you plan to sell it one day, you might consider a 2-inch coupler just 'cause.