ball hitch
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 1,083
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ball hitch
This is starting to drive me nuts. Need to put a ball on my bumper to drag a small fish/ski boat back home this weekend (about 600 miles round trip). I've tried two 1&7/8ths ball hitches...one with 3/4 shaft and one with 1 inch shaft, but both slop around in the hole on my bumper. The next step up...1&1/2 inch looks way too big. It's a standard factory add-on bumper (Mr. Bumper of Tyler, TX). So what do I do here...keep running all over town until I find one that fits exactly, or put a bushing on the 1-inch shaft to snug it up? Is the bushing option going to compromise the strength/safety of the ball hitch? Should note that this is just a make-do to get the boat home. When I have more time, I'll add a frame-attached drop hitch to this truck...everyone says this is must for smooth towing. Any tips/tricks/suggestions appreciated.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 601
Likes: 1
From: South Sioux City, NE USA
ball hitch
I know when I added the ball to my bumber (2" ball, 1" shaft), there was a little bit of play. But after it was tightened down (175 ft/lbs) there was no movement at all. I have towed my 2500lbs camper without a problem.
The reason there is some play in the mounting hole is it looks like the previous owner did not tighten down the hitch ball properly. Which in turn enlongated the hole.
I believe, if the hitch ball is tourqued properly, you should have no problems.
Roger Lane
Test Analyst
Sr. Automated Test Engineer
IBP, Inc.
The reason there is some play in the mounting hole is it looks like the previous owner did not tighten down the hitch ball properly. Which in turn enlongated the hole.
I believe, if the hitch ball is tourqued properly, you should have no problems.
Roger Lane
Test Analyst
Sr. Automated Test Engineer
IBP, Inc.
