Hello All,

I have a 2010 F250 4x4 with the OEM 20s. I don't tow anything but want to get a hitch and ball to fit into the receiver just in case I need to tow a stuck car, a friend's boat, or something. I do need to pull a stump out. Just something to grab with a chain or strap.

Should I get a 2", 4" or 6" drop for general towing? What size ball seems to be the most common used?

Are Harbor Freight's hitches as good as a Reese?

Thanks...

Neil

 

I'd get top quality. Can't go wrong with Reese. I would also go to an RV place or someplace local like Sunbelt Rentals that sells higher rated stuff.

Most of the time about 6K ball ratings is all you will find, even at Walmart or auto parts stores.

I have a 2" drop for mine but I am only running 18" tires.

 

I think your best bet is to find a high quality adjustable drawbar. I also think that 2" & 2 5/16" ball are most common. You'll find 1 7/8" ball for hauling small stuff. As far as pulling stumps and such, just find a good hook drawbar, or use your front tow eyes.

 

use a good strap on the stump pull, and put a blanket over the strap/chain, in case it breaks.. you don't want that thing coming back to the truck.

they make some multi-ball heads, 2 and 2-5/16 are usual.. with a drop they can get pricey.

lowes.com has a Reese multi-head ball, 8000lb, cute thing
Shop Reese Chrome Interchangeable Hitch Ball at Lowes.com

Sam

 

I have the Reese quick change ball on my hitch. I was skeptical at first, but I hated having to change my ball and I didn't want to keep 3 hitches. For towing it works great. I don't think I would loop a strap around it to pull a stump though. I use the eyes for the safety chains for that.

 

This stuff isn't so high dollar that I'd be shopping at harbor freight. If it were me I'd buy a couple 4" drop, one with a 2 1/8" ball and one with a 2 5/16". Your truck is fairly tall but even if the 4" ended up being a bit much it's better to be a bit nose down on your trailer than nose up. Those two ball sizes will cover dang near anything. I rarely run across anything using a 2" ball any more.

In any case I would NEVER just drop a strap or chain around a ball under any circumstances. That is just plain asking for trouble. In the same vein there is very little that I'd use a chain for. If a chain snaps that can be bad, bad news. A good heavy duty strap is very difficult to break. Chains on the other hand don't always react so well to shock loading, which is what they get when folks start trying to pull stumps or rescue unfortunate friends from their mud-fun follies, and they store a TREMENDOUS amount of energy which they release in a bad way when they break.

If you are looking to do more of than than anything else I'd just buy a straight hitch that you could bolt a nice d-ring coupler to. That way your strap is captured and is no way popping off.

No matter what you decide you need, remember, safety first.