Marking trailer for correct ball size

[tman7078]

Had a bad trailering experience by using a 2” ball on a 2 5/16 trailer coupler.
The size was not marked on the coupler and came off, buying a new bumper. At least the trailer wasn’t damaged

How do you mark your coupler so it easily identifies what ball size to use on that trailer.

 

[My Old Tools]

Most of the ones I have used have the size stamped into the metal.

 

[bob15]

Both of my trailers are 2-5/16 so I don't really worry about it. When I had my other trailer that was 1-7/8, I just remember that it is the smaller ball. And as M_O_T said, every trailer I've owned has the ball size stamped in the hitch assembly, on the top.

I also use Convert-A-Ball so if a question ever arose, I can easily try a different size ball.

http://convert-a-ball.net/cab/portfolio-item/originalconvertaball/

 

[Dustball]

You could use a paint pen to write down the size on the coupler somewhere then clear coat it.

I'm with the others- every coupler I've seen has the size stamped into it somewhere.

 

[yatg]

I hooked up a 2-5/16 coupler to a 2" ball. Noticed it the first time I came to a stop. More slop than usual and different noises.

Anyway, if you want a quick reminder, maybe put a color code dot on your hitch, and paint your ball mount the same color.

 

[nikerret]

I changeD all of my trailers to 2 5/16”. If I were to get a new trailer that had a smaller ball, I would mark it with stamps, if it wasn’t already stamped.

Here is an example, I’ve never used this brand, but you get the idea.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IPQMX5K/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Git]

All the one that I have or seen were always stamped

Although 2 5/16" is pretty much standard, it never fails if you go to rent a trailer, towable piece of equipment, etc it won't be the correct size for your ball. I ended up buying one of those interchangeable type - similar to this

Lastly - I always pull up on the trailer tongue to make sure I have it hitched properly. I would think if you had an undersized ball, you would feel it (probably come off)

 

[cvairwerks]

Gooseneck is 2 5/16" and the tongue pulls are 2". Always have a stinger with 2" on the truck and the one with the 2 5/16th's" is also a pintle hitch. Haven't seen a 1 7/8" since I parked the sailboat trailer about 15 years ago.

 

[DFB]

Ya every coupler I see/use has been size stamped on top.

Only time I seen wrong sized used was in the opposite way. Watched a guy at my flea mkt spend like 30 minutes trying to get 1 7/8" coupler on a 2" ball

After a bit I went over took one look and said to him that's not right coupler for the ball. Then he remembered he forgot to change tow balls as he was moving the second of two trailers and each was different.

Guess you have be more careful to what your doing or maybe color paint code them so its obvious..something like that.

Mistakes can happen and often when you're hurry I had hitch jump the ball once the lock over lever never got set

 

[930dreamer]

Your smaller landscape trailer use 1-7/8".

 

[greg13]

2 2/16 coupler is red. 2" is white.
Our trailers at work are all pin on couplers so we paint them for quick ID.

 

[Bogie1632]

If, somehow, your coupler isn't marked I'd recommend getting some number stamps. Couple good hits with a BFH and at least you'd have a more permanent marking option.

V/R
Bogie

 

[AZ Pete]

Gooseneck is 2 5/16" and the tongue pulls are 2". Always have a stinger with 2" on the truck and the one with the 2 5/16th's" is also a pintle hitch. Haven't seen a 1 7/8" since I parked the sailboat trailer about 15 years ago.

"tongue pulls" can be 1 7/8", 2" or 2 5/16". Depends on how much the trailer weighs.

It is good practice to use the tongue jack to try and lift the coupler off of the ball after you hitch up. If it comes off, look for the problem..

 

[bwringer]

The fact that both 1-7/8" and 2" hitch balls exist makes me unreasonably angry.

Just... why? Why can't these both be 2"? Way back in the mists of time, probably when people were still pulling trailers with Clydesdales, how the hell did this happen? What friggin' difference does that 1/8" make?

If we must have different size hitch balls, it would make more sense to have "little", like 2", and "big", say 3". That would be a big enough difference to tell apart at a glance.

But no. We have three sizes, two of them completely doofy.



Anyway, yeah, it's always stamped onto the coupler, but usually almost impossible to see. Color in the lettering with paint, wipe it with a rag, and it should stand out a little more. Or write "BIG BALLS ONLY" on it with a yellow paint pen or something.

 

[619DioFan]

My 4x8 utility trailer is from HF and has the 1 7/8 coupler so that is the size ball on the truck. I use this trailer 99% of the time. sometimes I borrow a larger utility trailer that has a 2''coupler , I keep a 2'' ball in the truck and swap them. never pull anything that needs a bigger than 2'' ball.

 

[cvairwerks]

"tongue pulls" can be 1 7/8", 2" or 2 5/16". Depends on how much the trailer weighs.

Yep, but within all the trailers owned in my family, everything but my sailboat trailer is 2”.

 

[Fatboy148]

It is good practice to use the tongue jack to try and lift the coupler off of the ball after you hitch up. If it comes off, look for the problem..

Good advise right there. If you can pick the back of the truck with the tongue jack, it most likely isn't going to come off and it only takes a few extra seconds.

 

[bugnut]

Mine are stored with a piece of tape and a sharpie size written on then. Easily select the correct size, I do not have trouble remembering which goes to what big trailer (big ball 2.3125") small trailer (small ball 2.0"). Also have a 1.875" in case I need it. Renew the tape and marking every couple of year, if needs be.

 

[mikeinri]

I've done the same, using blue masking tape and a Sharpie to mark the draw bars. I too have owned trailers with 1-7/8 and 2 inch couplers over the years. I currently have a boat trailer and a log splitter, both with 1-7/8 inch couplers, and a utility trailer with a 2 inch coupler.

My utility trailer is the first coupler I've ever owned with no size stamped into it.

I've seen the suggestion to standardize all of my stuff to 2 inch, but I really don't find the need since I already have the different balls mounted on separate draw bars, and it's easy to keep them in the truck.

Mike

 

[wssix99]

Engrave it, weld it, or paint/sharpie it on.

If unsure, test fit larger balls first.

All hitches should have the size stamped on them, but sometimes (at the factory or elsewhere) that stamp gets painted over.

 

[matt_i]

If, somehow, your coupler isn't marked I'd recommend getting some number stamps. Couple good hits with a BFH and at least you'd have a more permanent marking option.

I like this idea very much but I'd recommend a brass or aluminum or stainless steel strip that you metal-stamp instead of putting a collection of sharp-bottomed stress-risers in the critical neck of the trailer. Then you can screw, zip tie (black UV stable) or rivet the tag in a less critical area.

 

[zkdiesel]

Pintle hitch!

In all seriousness though I have a landscape customer who has pintle ring on everything from small utility, to bobcat to enclosed trailers. He orders all his trailers with adjustable couplers, then installs the pintle ring on them at a set standard height. Allows all trucks to tow all trailers and no room for error with wrong ball size! He had a few problems with guys and wrong balls and this has been his bulletproof solution

 

[rattle_snake]

My wife has forgot to change the hitch/ball a few times. Once the trailer is connected you cannot read the ball....

I paint the receivers different colors so it is obvious what it is.
Blue = Boat
white = horse trailer (which is white)

 

[dfiler2]

Painting seems like a good idea, i changed all of my couplers , 4 of them, to the largest one which was 2 5/16, so i didn't have to keep changing. Another advantage is when someone wants to borrow one i tell them the ball size they need and most find a trailer somewhere else, the ones that do have a 2 5/16 seem to be more familiar with pulling trailers.


Sent from my SM-S767VL using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[firebirdparts]

The way I do it is I don't loan out my trailer. 2nd best is, when loaning out your trailer, tell the guy "this takes a X size ball".

I don't take a very positive view of idiot proofing. It just doesn't work.

 

[u2slow]

My job sometimes requires me to be the trailer-shuttle-valet-guy for the public.

The safety process in place requires me to find the marking on the coupler. When not found, you test-fit with the largest ball and work down. Most of the time that's taking the drop-hitch of the truck and physically latching it in the coupler. (2" is still really common on trailers without brakes, or only having surge brakes; 1-7/8" is getting obscure) Once the correct one is found, I still have to check for slop, possibly tightening the adjustment in the coupler. Put on the safety chains.

Despite this kind of checking you can still lose a trailer due to a worn coupler and wimpy safety chains. (Our tow equipment is a little more jarring than the average pickup truck.)