Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

For those of you with fabricated trailer frames, did you build with a 1 7/8" ball hitch or 2"? Why did you choose the size you did?

I went with 2" because that's what Tractor Supply had in a 'v' configuration. I have at least 4 things that need to be towed and between them and the 2 tow vehicles there is quite the assortment of tow balls around here. I want the interchangeable system for the lighter stuff, don't trust it for the 2 5/16 trailer though.

...we went with a 2" because it seem as if it has become the most common size around...including all of the various trailers that we own, borrow or.........................
madjack

Ditto to Powderburn..and Madjack. (24).....I've got 3 other trailers to pull around and it is a hassle switching the balls out....I sold the 1 7/8 unit to my neighbor...the tent trailer...I think you'll find that most trailers nowadays use the 2" hitch...at least that has been my experience....Doug

I choose a 2" ball for the same reasons as Mr. Powderburn but have also wired most all of the tools in my shop for 220V with odd-ball plugs just to discourage would be borrowers. To many bad experiences loaning tools but will help anybody with a project.

Denny

I must be the odd ball here. I've used 1 7/8" hitches for years, and both of my trailers have that size coupler...that is my old HF utility and my bass boat trailer that I bought used a few years ago. So, I will stay with 1 7/8". I've seen both vee and straight couplers in both sizes.

Cracker39...you're not the oddball...I've had lots of 1 7/8...just that my other trailers were 2" and as I acquired more boat trailers at 2"...just stuck with it....I also try to keep similar bolt patterns/sizes so I can get away with 1 spare that I just throw in the truck and not have 1 for every trailer, also use just one deep cycle battery that I swap from boats to tear.......Doug

It is just the luck of the draw. I've never had a trailer with a 2" coupler on it. I also plan on matching my TTT wheels to my boat trailer wheels. I replaced the boat trailer wheels with new ones, and used one of the old ones as my spare. I still have the other old one to use as my TTT spare. I can always swap some if necessary.

cracker39 wrote:It is just the luck of the draw. I've never had a trailer with a 2" coupler on it.

The trailers that use 1 7/8" balls are usually light weight trailers. 2" balls go on medium weight trailers, and 2 5/16" balls on heavy weight trailers.

I also put a 2" ball on my trailer because all of my other trailers use 2" balls. Finding a 2" coupler for a 2" square tube can be tough though. Most couplers that fit 2" square tubing atr 1 7/8"

hmmmmmm, my local welding/steel supplier just had 'em hangin' on the wall....that's where I got mine( 8mos ago )
madjack

I did 2" because I already had a 2" ball on my truck. I have had to tow U-haul trailers in the past and they use a 2" coupler.

I had a hard time finding a 2"coupler for 2" tubing locally. I had to order it when I bought my axle.

I am using a 1 7/8 ball right now because my tow vehicle is a Hyundai Elantra once I get mt Jeep I will probably upgrade to a two inch. Anyway the receiver hitch I have takes a 1 1/4 in bar. The only bar I can find accepts the 1 7/8 ball. Hope this helps.

Fred

Gee, lots of opinions, but nothing notably scientific. You guys usually have a long list of factoids to share when a question such as this is being pondered. Where are all the engineers?

One more for the road...I bought a new boat trailer this spring. When asking about the ball size, the salesman said the industry was settling around the two inch ball. Makes sense to me.

Well, my reason for asking.............................I have 4 trailers, not counting the tear I'm starting to build. One uses the 2 1/8" ball, two use the 2" ball, and one uses the 1 7/8" ball, and I was planning on using a 1 7/8" ball on the tear. But today I galded the threads on the 1 7/8" ball while changing it to a 2" to pull a different trailer. Got to thinking, if I just go with 2" on the tear and replace the 1 7/8" receiver with a 2" on the HF trailer, I'll be all set. Then I"ll have 4 trailers using a 2" ball and things will be a whole lot more convenient. So my reason for wanting to standardize on 2" is no more scientific a reason than anyone elses. Thanks for all the input.