Hitch size

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Hitch size

Postby Chris C » Sun Oct 23, 2005 3:52 pm

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?
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Postby sedanman67 » Sun Oct 23, 2005 4:55 pm

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.
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Postby madjack » Sun Oct 23, 2005 4:55 pm

...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......................... ;)
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Postby doug hodder » Sun Oct 23, 2005 6:05 pm

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
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Postby Denny Unfried » Sun Oct 23, 2005 7:02 pm

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.

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Postby cracker39 » Sun Oct 23, 2005 7:13 pm

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.
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Postby doug hodder » Sun Oct 23, 2005 7:24 pm

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
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Postby cracker39 » Sun Oct 23, 2005 7:34 pm

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.
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Postby JunkMan » Sun Oct 23, 2005 7:44 pm

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"
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Postby madjack » Sun Oct 23, 2005 8:33 pm

hmmmmmm, my local welding/steel supplier just had 'em hangin' on the wall....that's where I got mine( 8mos ago :( )
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Postby asianflava » Sun Oct 23, 2005 9:33 pm

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.
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1 7/8

Postby dtrdwngfn » Sun Oct 23, 2005 10:26 pm

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.

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Postby Chris C » Sun Oct 23, 2005 11:14 pm

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?
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Postby Juneaudave » Sun Oct 23, 2005 11:26 pm

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.
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Postby Chris C » Sun Oct 23, 2005 11:32 pm

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. :?
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