interchangeable trailer ball system ?

[jim1987]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000AYES4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Maybe this don't quite belong in the tool section, but its a tool to me.

Has anyone used these? Any failures or bad things to say? I know there's the tri ball set up, but, my receiver is forze into the hitch, and I don't wanna mess with getting it out. Plus, my truck has a small drop on the receiver, and fits perfect for our Two trailers.

First time I seen them was just the other night at O'Riley's. Seems really cool and convient, but a little worded about the locking set up and the ball coming PFF the sleeve.

What say ye?

Tia

 

[sawbuck]

what could go wrong ?

 

[jim1987]

Uh... The locking system fails and the ball comes off.. And my equipment gets trashed..

 

[Farmall450]

There are nearly 80 reviews on Amazon, I'd take a gander at those.
Looks like the rust will kill it pretty quick by us Jim.

 

[BD1]

I have had mine for 14 years. Mine is 1 7/8'' and 2'' only. Best part is it is rated at 10,000 lbs. No issues at all. I do not leave it on truck when not in use.
Much better then this CURT model,
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0007LZXE0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[jim1987]

That looks absolutely terrible lol

 

[jim1987]

There are nearly 80 reviews on Amazon, I'd take a gander at those.
Looks like the rust will kill it pretty quick by us Jim.

It seems contradictory, I don't trust those reviews. I like asking real people here.

 

[454ragtop]

Have that exact Reese set, works good. I don't leave it on the truck when not in use, so rust isn't an issue. The way it's made, the retaining pin has to come up before the ball can come off, so with a trailer on the ball, there is no way the retainer can come up. I've studied it fairly close, and am completely satisfied with the safety aspects.
HTH, Jim

 

[rice rocket]

Just get the single ball of multiple sizes, and a big impact wrench to swap ballz.

 

[Jagmandave]

I have one like the Curt, been using it for 10 years now with no issues, 1 7/8 -2" only.

 

[Jagmandave]

Just get the single ball of multiple sizes, and a big impact wrench to swap ballz.

Sometimes you're not home with access to your tools when you need to change the size....that's happened to me a few times and being able to change the ball easily has been a great help.

 

[CNGsaves]

In Ohio, I wouldn't touch that thing with 10 ft pole !!

But in Phoenix, it likely is perfect solution, given you trust it's strength, and also don't have habit of overloading tail of trailer. If trailer tail is overloaded, the upward pressure on that thing would worry me.

 

[dfiler2]

I've had two different sets like those, If you are diligent and remove the ball after each use and keep them oiled they do work. To me they were a PITA, what I do now is carry a receiver with a 1 7/8" ball and a receiver with 2" ball, I keep another receiver with a 2 5/16 ball in the shop.

 

[jim1987]

Sometimes you're not home with access to your tools when you need to change the size....that's happened to me a few times and being able to change the ball easily has been a great help.

Ya. I mean the make the DBE wrench made for the big but. But this would be so much more convient.

 

[bczygan]

I don't like changing my balls unless absolutely necessary.

The way I handle a wrench, I could damage a nut.

 

[drg5490]

This is what I use rated to 10,000 lbs...just flip for desired size ...no chance of losing anything

 

[jim1987]

Well that's just great for you. Learn to read.

 

[shoot summ]

I've got one, had it for about 5-6 years, work great. I keep a ball cover on mine when not in use, keep it well lubed and they work fine.

I tow a 5000lb boat, and an 18' flat bed trailer that could have a car, boulders, dirt or a skid steer on it.

I have no concerns about it coming loose.

 

[jim1987]

Thanks

 

[drg5490]

Wow sorry ...numerous easy ways to get your frozen hitch out, and replace with an adjustable up/ down hitch for your trailer..ps I'll learn to read better in the future if you promise to spell better

 

[firebox40dash5]

I have the Convert-a-Ball one. Works great, but if you buy one, spring for stainless. I replaced my old chrome one last year after even the air chisel couldn't budge the pin... oops. But my mount usually stays on my truck, and MD loves salt.

I tried one of the other systems years ago, forget whose, but I don't recall liking it much.

 

[jim1987]

Wow sorry ...numerous easy ways to get your frozen hitch out, and replace with an adjustable up/ down hitch for your trailer..ps I'll learn to read better in the future if you promise to spell better

You wanna cookie? You gave a response that wasted your time and mine, one that's irrelevant to the question.

 

[dowmace]

I don't know what kind of trailers you have but awhile back we decided to change all the trailer tongues to 2-5/16" to avoid this problem. I have used one of these in the past with a landscape trailer pulling about 11k lbs, long story short it let go on the highway. The shaft broke off where it enters the ball. It wasn't but a month or so old but was used everyday. No rust on it at all the damn thing just broke. I wouldnt use one ever again. But if need be I carry all different sizes and a pintle just in case I need to pull a customer's trailer.

My suggestion be very cautious.

 

[jim1987]

I don't know what kind of trailers you have but awhile back we decided to change all the trailer tongues to 2-5/16" to avoid this problem. I have used one of these in the past with a landscape trailer pulling about 11k lbs, long story short it let go on the highway. The shaft broke off where it enters the ball. It wasn't but a month or so old but was used everyday. No rust on it at all the damn thing just broke. I wouldnt use one ever again. But if need be I carry all different sizes and a pintle just in case I need to pull a customer's trailer.

My suggestion be very cautious.

That's enough right there. I'll just buy the extra ball and wrench. Thanks for this info. Hope the safety tchains did their job.

 

[Art From De Leon]

I have had a "Convert-A-Ball" for as long as I can remember, and never worried about it failing.

http://www.convert-a-ball.com/

I did coat the pins with Never-Seize.

 

[Flattie]

Good idea. When you have time, really try to get the stuck hitch out of the receiver. I went through this with my neighbor a while back. He bought the truck brand new and we installed the hitch a week after he bought the truck. He was in the same boat as you. Bought a small trailer that required a smaller ball. When he went to take the hitch out it wouldn't budge at all. We assumed typical Kansas rust, etc. we soaked it daily with Kroil, heated it, etc. FINALLY got it out. It was actually "racked" sideways with a crack down the side. The crack had beach marks in it. It had been tweaked a long time. I am glad he decided not to do the change the ball every time he needed to type of thing. Bad stuff happens and safety chains are supposed to hold, but dang it, we ALL just need to slow down sometimes...

 

[shoot summ]

I don't know what kind of trailers you have but awhile back we decided to change all the trailer tongues to 2-5/16" to avoid this problem. I have used one of these in the past with a landscape trailer pulling about 11k lbs, long story short it let go on the highway. The shaft broke off where it enters the ball. It wasn't but a month or so old but was used everyday. No rust on it at all the damn thing just broke. I wouldnt use one ever again. But if need be I carry all different sizes and a pintle just in case I need to pull a customer's trailer.

My suggestion be very cautious.

Guess it's not supposed to fail when you pull more than the rated 10K lb rating?

Reese Towpower Interchangeable 1 7/8", 2", 2 5/16" Hitch Ball Kits are designed to accommodate towing multiple trailers with ease. This innovative quick release design allows you to change hitch ball size in seconds without any tools. The kits features a one inch shank that has a 1,000 pound tongue weight and 10,000 trailer weight capacity and a 1 7/8 inch and 2 inch hitch ball with a quick-release, positive latch design for easy interchange.

 

[Flattie]

Guess it's not supposed to fail when you pull more than the rated 10K lb rating?

Reese Towpower Interchangeable 1 7/8", 2", 2 5/16" Hitch Ball Kits are designed to accommodate towing multiple trailers with ease. This innovative quick release design allows you to change hitch ball size in seconds without any tools. The kits features a one inch shank that has a 1,000 pound tongue weight and 10,000 trailer weight capacity and a 1 7/8 inch and 2 inch hitch ball with a quick-release, positive latch design for easy interchange.

Not disagreeing, and there has to be a stated weight capacity, but one would have to believe that they have way more than a 1000lb safety factor. That's only a 10% safety factor. Seems low. But again, shouldn't pull more than the rating. Draw bar pull is always a higher rating than vertical load. Think about the guys on TV that you see pulling a semi by a rope. Impressive feet for the strongman competition. But put that same guy above the semi and tell him to lift it with the same rope. Isn't going to happen, even though the weight didn't change a bit.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Guess it's not supposed to fail when you pull more than the rated 10K lb rating?

Reese Towpower Interchangeable 1 7/8", 2", 2 5/16" Hitch Ball Kits are designed to accommodate towing multiple trailers with ease. This innovative quick release design allows you to change hitch ball size in seconds without any tools. The kits features a one inch shank that has a 1,000 pound tongue weight and 10,000 trailer weight capacity and a 1 7/8 inch and 2 inch hitch ball with a quick-release, positive latch design for easy interchange.

10% over max.....should definitely hold up. Probably tested to 20k, but with a failure at 110%, I won't be buying one.

And besides, a 10k trailer can become 11k (drag) when you hit a frikin curb or piece of debris in the road, mud holes, rocks on the way to the campsite, etc...

 

[whitetrash1]

I have had a "Convert-A-Ball" for as long as I can remember, and never worried about it failing.

http://www.convert-a-ball.com/

I did coat the pins with Never-Seize.

My dad had those on a truck and dropped one with the shaft out. Bent the shaft and loss use of that ball.

Personally Id just go with a different ball and slide in for each size. It's not too expensive to grab a couple. Then just pull the pin and swap the whole set up. I also carry an extra pin in case of breakage/failure

 

[jmlcolorado]

I don't like changing my balls unless absolutely necessary.

The way I handle a wrench, I could damage a nut.

This made me giggle a little

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000AYES4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Maybe this don't quite belong in the tool section, but its a tool to me.

Has anyone used these? Any failures or bad things to say? I know there's the tri ball set up, but, my receiver is forze into the hitch, and I don't wanna mess with getting it out. Plus, my truck has a small drop on the receiver, and fits perfect for our Two trailers.

First time I seen them was just the other night at O'Riley's. Seems really cool and convient, but a little worded about the locking set up and the ball coming PFF the sleeve.

What say ye?

Tia

I have one. I keep it greased well and colorado winters haven't eaten in the 4 years it's been on the truck, and I drive 40k+ per year.
I only use the 2" and 2 5/16". What's the small one for?! I've enver seen the small ball used before.

I clean the grease out every couple years cause it gets thick and can make it tricky to turn the button then pull it up. The spring inside isn't strong enough to push it up when coated in thick cold grease.

 

[bushmechanic]

The Land Rover towing package includes a full Adapt-A-Ball kit. Those buggers ain't cheap. They are very nicely made, and come in a padded case.

It's very convenient, and tough enough for anything I've used it for, and I really asked a lot of the thing.

After a while, I didn't need to tow much, and Rovers are really too tall for the hitch they include, so I moved to something else.

I'd swap the ball system over, but I don't see myself running into too many different kinds of trailers at this point.

 

[jim1987]

This made me giggle a little



I have one. I keep it greased well and colorado winters haven't eaten in the 4 years it's been on the truck, and I drive 40k+ per year.
I only use the 2" and 2 5/16". What's the small one for?! I've enver seen the small ball used before.

I clean the grease out every couple years cause it gets thick and can make it tricky to turn the button then pull it up. The spring inside isn't strong enough to push it up when coated in thick cold grease.

My 5x8 is a 1 7/8.

 

[Badger 13]

When I worked for a towing company we had the Convert-A-Ball kits in all of the tow trucks. Never had an issue with them what so ever. As someone else mentioned, the stainless ones are the way to go.

 

[venturesomerite]

I have had a "Convert-A-Ball" for as long as I can remember, and never worried about it failing.

http://www.convert-a-ball.com/

I did coat the pins with Never-Seize.

I've had that before, I lost 2 balls. (always leave the hitch in, don't always remember to take the ball off after towing)


I just changed my balls to all the same size, and the trailer coupler to match.

FWIW most trailers are moving to the 2 5/16" or what ever it is, can't recall off hand. I think it's the result of alot of people not matching load to ball size, so they are bassically phasing out 2" and under.

 

[warmpancakes]

FWIW most trailers are moving to the 2 5/16" or what ever it is, can't recall off hand. I think it's the result of alot of people not matching load to ball size, so they are bassically phasing out 2" and under.

2 inch is the most common, Uhaul is pretty much 2 inch ball on all their trailers and they are the towing industry benchmark they set the standards.

2 5/16 is used on trailers with weight ratings 6k and above usually.

I work in the towing industry and nothing is being phased out,

1 7/8 isnt very common but alot of boats use it

 

[bczygan]

Seriously though, on my Ford Econoline E350, I carry 2 different ball mount. One with 1 7/8" and one with 2" balls. Covers most things I might need to tow. Usually carry a wrench for the nut and one for the ball. Keep them in the van all the time, but sometimes leave one in the receiver for extended periods. Dangerous to do. First, the lock can get water in it and freeze up, and second, the whole assembly can rust together. The one on my Astro Van has, and is impossible to remove. It would take all day with a torch, and would ruin everything anyway. If I keep the van,eventually could just replace the whole receiver. It has a 1 7/8 on it, which is my most used anyway. All our 18 Apache tent top pop up trailers use this as well as the 2 HF utility trailers and the Hobie Cat trailer.
Keep a pintle on an adjustable ball mount, and a 2 5/16 on a ball mount in the garage, ready for use. The pintle is for the lunette on the 2 military trailers (M416 and M105). Also have a load distributing one for the Airstream.

Someday I will de-rust and grease things like you are supposed to. Should get ball covers and replace the chrome ones with SS. Always get the larger diameter shank.

 

[aka Larry]

I have this system. Unless gravity ceases to exist, the ball can't fall off and someone suggested. The downfall is rust. Once it get's water in there and it corrodes, it's a PITA to change the ball. Translation, I wouldn't buy it again.

 

[creativecars]

I go with all 2". About 15 years ago I had a trailer come off the ball going over some RR tracks. The chains worked, but it was still a pia. I didn't even own a 1 7/8 ball and I think someone switched it out. I threw the damn thing in the trash, and will switch all hitches to 2" even for a mower trailer.

 

[Burb]

I've owned 2 sets of the adapt-a-ball version (the kind with the hex shaft) for probably close to 20 years without any issues. One is set up on a 2" drop, and the other on a 6" drop, so no matter what trailer/truck combo I use I've got it cover with two hitches instead of having six laying around.