So I wanted to buy a socket for removing a trailer ball hitch (1-1/2" nut) and decided to do a little test before I bought one. I thought about buying a 38mm socket instead because it's very similar size. I tried both on a ball in an auto store and they both fit pretty loosely on the nut. Is that normal? How much play should there be on stuff this large? Do I need to go down to 1-7/16"?
Socket size for trailer hitch ball
- Thread starter MadeInUSA
- Start date
PhantomEB
Well-known member
I just use pipe wrenches. And thats coming from a guy whos got a bucket full of hitches, various balls, various drops etc.
Zrexxer
Well-known member
It's a 1-1/2" nut. Use a 1-1/2" socket.
jtfc
Well-known member
Most are 1 1/2 but I recently bought one that was 1 7/16 so heads up with that my friend was convinced it was 1 1/2 till he actually tried 1 7/16
Steevo
Well-known member
Ditto
I put one of these in my traveling tool kit and I use it every time I hitch up the trailer to verify the ball is tight.
Its an 18" long box end that weighs 2 lbs, add 4lb deadblow if you need it.
hmm... maybe the nut I tried it on in the store wasn't 1-1/2"...
W650Mike
Well-known member
Tightening a trailer ball is one of those times where a cheater is in order. It’s also an application where I’ll go to Tractor Supply for a cheap socket; hammer the nut on with an impact; and follow that with an end wrench or big-*** Cresent w/ cheater.
Don’t forget to re-check periodically.
Don’t forget to re-check periodically.
AZ_Catskinner
Well-known member
I've got an 1½" knocker wrench that I picked up strictly for this purpose - a little love with a 4 lb single jack and I KNOW that it's not going anywhere.
