How to measure a nut to order a socket

[mobiledynamics]

I've need to order either a 1 1/2 socket or 1 7/16 socket to tighten the nut on a trailer ball to 250 ft. My caliper shows it's a hair under 1 1/2 for the nut. Hate to order the wrong size. ...

 

[toolstools]

Whys it need to be so tight? Im assuming you mean a reese hitch ball, right? Just get a big enough locking washer, and use an adjustable wrench. It wont get loose

 

[doan]

That should be a 1 1/2. If you measure a wrench or socket, the opening will always be slightly larger than the labeled size.

If you need to buy big sockets, you can get a whole set at HF for the cost of 2-3 individual big sockets.

 

[kc-steve]

I guess the best question is, how much is a "hair?"

You would want it to be a little bit smaller in size than the socket. On the other hand, a 1/16th of an inch isn't exactly a "hair."

Steve

 

[ezzzzzzz]

Most trailer supply stores, HF, Northern Tool and Walmarts sell a large closed-in wrench for this task. If your caliper shows <1.5" across the flats then a 1.5" 6-point socket should work fine. 250lb/ft isn't hard to achieve. I usually just tighten the **** out of the nut with a large wrench then go back and retighten after each of a couple of uses to be sure. I prefer 1" shanks over .75" shanks too.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Go to a flea mkt or pawn shop and find both sizes, 12pt, 6 pt, impact or not, just get them, figure what size fits and go from there.

Charles

 

[alpinewhite]

I also used LocTite on mine in addition to the lock nut.

 

[mobiledynamics]

No flea markets in my part of town...

I have not towed in the last couple of years. But when I did daily (track rat), I went to a local shop to just have them impact it down and before ever tow, I would just check it for tightness.

 

[shocksandstrutz]

I second the HF / WalMart / any autoparts store will have the double closed end wrench, its about 18in long and works like a charm, i bought one in college over 10 yrs ago and use it all the time for changing trailer hitch balls and such, sometimes even use it to pry and for leverage. nice wrench to have for about 15 bucks

 

[mobiledynamics]

Tight or the their *spec* called tight.

I've used wrenches and a big honkin cheater bar in the past. I suppose there is a reason they call it for 250 ft and not just *tight*

 

[TAMPAGT07]

Why not just get a large ajustable wrench??

 

[454ragtop]

If you have to buy something, I'd go with a 24" adjustable, at least you might have a use for that down the road, They're great for bending stuff, and straightening. Don't know anybody with a 3/4 drive set or maybe some metric axle nut sockets that could tighten this for you, or let you borrow it for a one shot deal? 36mm or 38mm will probably work, once you get this big, if it's a 6 point socket, little loose will work fine.
HTH, Jim

 

[Farmall450]

I just use a adjustable wrench...anything big will work fine. It's not going anywhere, I assure you...

 

[mjl44]

1-1/2" is one of the standard nut sizes for trailer balls I believe.

I would get it as tight as you can with a 2 foot breaker bar to skip using a big expensive torque wrench. Estimate 125# on that breaker bar and you got 250 ft/#.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Just buy the HF hitch ball wrench. I have it in all my trucks for the hitch balls. Extra long and 1 1/8 and 1 1/2 for all the nuts. It's 8 bucks.

Way easier than socket/ratchet.

http://www.harborfreight.com/hitch-ball-wrench-95494.html

 

[jrlp]

Use a regular 12"+ pipe wrench. They open big enough, stick a pipe on it and go to town. I've always used a pipe wrench and a 3' pipe over the handle. Makes it real easy to pull the ~80 ft/lb at the end of 3 feet one handed!

 

[KinzeMech]

I've seen a double box end wrench at walmart that had both of the sizes used on ball hitches, one on either end. I think the sizes were 1-1/2 and 1-5/16, but I'm not sure about that. I am sure they were the sizes you need for ball hitches.

It was only about $10 at the time, but that was a few years ago. Tough price to beat for that big of a wrench.

 

[racingtadpole]

I've need to order either a 1 1/2 socket or 1 7/16 socket to tighten the nut on a trailer ball to 250 ft. My caliper shows it's a hair under 1 1/2 for the nut. Hate to order the wrong size. ...

Measure across the flats. Towballs are 1 1/2" AF

 

[KinzeMech]

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Reese-Towpower-Trailer-Hitch-Ball-Wrench/15125802
$10

There's also the above mentioned Harbor Freight option for $8. I'd go with whichever is nearer.

 

[BD1]

Wrench size is 1 1/2 times bolt diameter. 3/8'' diameter bolt would be
1 1/2 x 3/8 = 9/16. This is for standard nuts. EXTRA heavy is larger. I think for extra heavy you add 1/8'' to the standard nut size.

 

[Conductor562]

My ball has a 1-1/2" nut on it. I bought a hitch ball wrench at Wal-Mart for like $12 to keep in the truck. Works fine.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Reese trailer hitch ball torque.

 

[andywander]

Reese trailer hitch ball torque.

Well, at least they spec it correctly....foot pounds, and not pounds per foot, or feet per pound......

 

[Rsanchez91]

Another vote for a pipe wrench. I put the receiver in the hitch on my truck and use the pipe wrench to tighten it down.

 

[KinzeMech]

If you change hitches much, this eventually leaves bite marks on the nut that turn into metal splinters.

 

[cookefab]

1 1/2 IS a standard tow ball nut size, along w/ 1 1/8 and to lesser extent 1 5/16. Yes, there are common tow ball double box wrenches available just about everywhere. In the tow industry, we use longer, flat shank single box ends...1 in each size for each truck. You will be safe w/ the 1 1/2... Or use a big adjustable or pipe wrench...other staple tools found on your average tow truck.

 

[Strouty]

Wrench size is 1 1/2 times bolt diameter. 3/8'' diameter bolt would be
1 1/2 x 3/8 = 9/16. This is for standard nuts. EXTRA heavy is larger. I think for extra heavy you add 1/8'' to the standard nut size.

That sounds about right. We use 1/2" a lot and regular nuts are 3/4" and the extra heavy are 7/8". Thanks for the guideline math!

Use a regular 12"+ pipe wrench. They open big enough, stick a pipe on it and go to town. I've always used a pipe wrench and a 3' pipe over the handle. Makes it real easy to pull the ~80 ft/lb at the end of 3 feet one handed!

Another vote for a pipe wrench. I put the receiver in the hitch on my truck and use the pipe wrench to tighten it down.

These two must be Larry the Cable Guys Cousins "get er done"

If you change hitches much, this eventually leaves bite marks on the nut that turn into metal splinters.

This will be the end result for sure.