Coupler Survey 1 7/8" or 2"

[caseydog]

I could not read the size of the trailer coupler on the coupler. The area that it was printed was damaged.

That is pretty common, from my experience. The size is stamped into the top of the coupler, then painted -- generally black. That's hard enough to read, and then the coupler gets scratched up and grows some surface rust in the scratches, and it's nearly impossible to read.

CD

[cokebottle10]

That's the way it was. I just could not read it because it was scrathed so bad. When that trailer let loose, talk about the tail wagging the dog. It was everything I could do just to keep it more or less on the road. I knew that I could not hit the brakes. I just had to get control first and then let it slow down. If I did not have any weight on the truck it would have been hopeless. Even with the weight that trailer pushed me hard one way then the next. I had to drive with my mirrors to stay ahead of it.

I never want to experience that again.

David.

[Carter]

cokebottle, you are right, too easy to make a mistake. My big boss just told me a couple of weeks ago about hooking up a 2" ball to a 2 5/16 coupler and wondering why there was some slop. The uniformed make lots of mistakes and the informed make a few (including me) I'd love to see the industry pick a common size and use it. Might be overkill for a small trailer but the cost savings of one size would make up for it.

Jim

[Carter]

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

Crazydog, no I work at GM and drive a GM, only Dodge Ram owners do that.

Jim

[Uncle Chan]

1/2 my trailers have 1 7/8 and 1/2 have 2. Drives me crazy. I wish everything just had 2". I'm thinking about converting everything to 2".

[Carter]

Thanks,
I know that 2" is my choice but with the small trailers we build and the small cars we may pull them with, 1 - 7/8" is a viable option. Proper tool for the job. It's not a problem, 2" is overkill, and we love that.

Jim

[Ken Fincher]

I use 2" ball when ever possible, I have also change 1 7/8 " couplers to 2" in the past, BUT I do realize the reason for the different ball sizes.
Most people think that with all of the different size balls it is easy to make the mistake like most of us has done buy putting a 2" on a 1 7/8" or a 2 5/16" on a 2"Which it does seem like all balls should be the same.
But each coupler size is put on each trailer for a very good reason.
For instance.
Like they put an 1 7/8" coupler on the harbor fraight 980lb. capacity trailer, & if you change it to a 2" coupler and say you sale your trailer (you know the trailers towing capacity) & the person overloads the trailer or puts to much waight on the tounge because the coupler ratings on the 2" coupler show a higher capacity, he gets on the road & looses control & hurts or kills somone.

Years ago we use to mass produce trailers & there are very strict rules reguarding matching coupler size to trailer capcity.

(Man I did'nt even mention the penal hitch)

I'm no diferent then 99% of you.

This may make more sence to some of you.

ALWAYS USE THE PROPERLY RATED HITCH BALL FOR YOUR TOWING SYSTEM.

Your towing system’s maximum weight rating is always equal to the lowest rated item in the system.
Your hitching system cannot be upgraded to a rating higher than the maximum rating of your hitch.

For example, a 3,500 lb. ball on a 2,000 lb. max trailer weight rated hitch does not increase your towing capacity to 3,500 lbs. Your hitching system is still rated at 2,000 lbs.
Conversely, a 2,000 lb. ball on a 3,500 lb. max trailer weight-rated hitch decreases your maximum towing capacity to 2,000 lbs.

The hitch ball diameter (A) must be the same diameter as the trailer coupler (1-7/8”, 2”, or 2-5/16”).

The shank diameter (B) of the hitch ball should be the same as the hole diameter in the (correct) ball mount you selected.

The shank length (C) should be long enough to allow at least two threads to be visible when the hitch ball is installed and the nut completely tightened.


Ken F.
P.S. So I guess the size of your balls does matter.
According to our big brother at D.O.T.
(Sorry I could'nt resist.)

[Gerdo]

I think all 1 7/8" balls/hitches should be outlawed! And anyone that uses them should be an outcast!

We need to keep 2 5/16" balls tho. (every wonder why they deceided on 2 5/16"? Why would someone choose 5/16" instead of 3/4" or just go to a 3" ball?)

[Ken Fincher]

So called masterminds.

I agree.

Ken F.