Informal Poll: Hitch Preferences
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Informal Poll: Hitch Preferences
Ok, so there has always seemed to be different school's of thought on what is the best type of hitch? For this exercise, we are going to limit the discussion to those found on tag-along trailers.
So, what do you like best/least? 2" ball, 2 5/16" ball, pintle hook, or what? What tows best, holds most, and is easiest to hitch by yourself? Some of the answers will be obvious, but I'd like to hear what is the over-all best, because everyone has something good or bad to say about a different type.
I am looking at getting a tandem axle 16' or 18' trailer with ramps (used); something with a GVWR of 7,000 lbs (2" ball, etc) to 14,000 lbs (2 5/16 ball or pintle). Obviously, I would like the bigger trailer just because of the extra rating, but if it tows like crap, then that's good to know. I do landscaping in my spare time, and have occasion to haul around my old cars every few months. Might rarely need to haul equipment like a skidsteer or something, but thats just a possibility. What do ya'll say?
So, what do you like best/least? 2" ball, 2 5/16" ball, pintle hook, or what? What tows best, holds most, and is easiest to hitch by yourself? Some of the answers will be obvious, but I'd like to hear what is the over-all best, because everyone has something good or bad to say about a different type.
I am looking at getting a tandem axle 16' or 18' trailer with ramps (used); something with a GVWR of 7,000 lbs (2" ball, etc) to 14,000 lbs (2 5/16 ball or pintle). Obviously, I would like the bigger trailer just because of the extra rating, but if it tows like crap, then that's good to know. I do landscaping in my spare time, and have occasion to haul around my old cars every few months. Might rarely need to haul equipment like a skidsteer or something, but thats just a possibility. What do ya'll say?
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 796
Likes: 0
From: North Idaho
I use the Equal-i-zer hitch and really like it. It is easy to hook up and it works as a weight distribution and sway control in one.
Equal-i-zer Hitch - The “American Original” with 4-Point Sway Control and Weight Distribution
Equal-i-zer Hitch - The “American Original” with 4-Point Sway Control and Weight Distribution
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 493
Likes: 0
From: Albuquerque
I have a 18 ft car trailer and use a 2-5/16 ball on a weight distribution hitch. Tows great with little to no sway. You just have to know how to load the trailer, so it doesn't fish tail on you.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,379
Likes: 1,863
From: Frederick, MD
I have a hensley on mine...no ball at all, just a tube that goes into my reciever. Works great as it changes the charactistics of the sway when you are going down the road and a 18" passes you by...which is rare as I stay in the left lane anyway. Here is the website with a pic of it.Trailer Sway Elimination Guaranteed - Hensley® the ONLY trailer hitch guaranteed to totally eliminate trailer sway.
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Grand Blanc, MI
Well, I'm clearly biased since I was the vice president of the hitch company mentioned in the previous post for 10 years and have now been manufacturing another advanced trailer sway eliminating hitch for 18 months... The Next Generation in Trailer Sway Elimination 
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,379
Likes: 1,863
From: Frederick, MD
Well, I'm clearly biased since I was the vice president of the hitch company mentioned in the previous post for 10 years and have now been manufacturing another advanced trailer sway eliminating hitch for 18 months... The Next Generation in Trailer Sway Elimination
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Sounds like the RV crowd has it figured out with the specialized WD/ sway control hitches($nice, but very pricey$). Since I'm looking into an open trailer, could someone brief me on pintle hitches? Seems like the trade off is added hauling capability at the expense of handling. If so, how are the driving characteristics altered? Correct me if I am wrong, but I have never seen or heard of a pintle hitch set up with any sort of WD bars?
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 7,649
Likes: 2
From: Wallingford, CT
If you have slop in a pintle hook you aren't loaded heavy enough.
We run only pintles on our trucks. Ball hitches can be a pain to hook and unhook if they aren't working properly. The only way a pintle could malfunction is if the hitch won't open.
Ball hitches have a tendency to come undone if they are loaded too heavy and aren't balanced very well.
Overall I'd have to say I prefer a pintle to a ball hitch.
We run only pintles on our trucks. Ball hitches can be a pain to hook and unhook if they aren't working properly. The only way a pintle could malfunction is if the hitch won't open.
Ball hitches have a tendency to come undone if they are loaded too heavy and aren't balanced very well.
Overall I'd have to say I prefer a pintle to a ball hitch.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,379
Likes: 1,863
From: Frederick, MD
If you have slop in a pintle hook you aren't loaded heavy enough.
We run only pintles on our trucks. Ball hitches can be a pain to hook and unhook if they aren't working properly. The only way a pintle could malfunction is if the hitch won't open.
Ball hitches have a tendency to come undone if they are loaded too heavy and aren't balanced very well.
Overall I'd have to say I prefer a pintle to a ball hitch.
We run only pintles on our trucks. Ball hitches can be a pain to hook and unhook if they aren't working properly. The only way a pintle could malfunction is if the hitch won't open.
Ball hitches have a tendency to come undone if they are loaded too heavy and aren't balanced very well.
Overall I'd have to say I prefer a pintle to a ball hitch.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 3
From: Simpsonville, KY
There is no need for a pintle in this application. You'll regret it once you start to tow. They are designed for heavy, heavy trailers and heavy trucks, that don't care when the hitch slams. A 2 5/16 or even a 2" ball will be fine. I bet that 80+% of the population uses them with absolutely no problems. Just make sure all your equipment is rated for the weight you plan on hauling. That's mandatory no matter which connection type you end up using. The weakest link is the drawbar and the reciever, especially when you head into pintle territory.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 14
From: West Cornwall, CT
I prefer a pintle hitch. A pintle is simple, reliable and very easy to hook up. You can tell if the hitch is properly engaged by a quick visual check. There does not seem to be any real clunking noise either.
The downside of the pintle hitch setup is that you can't use any weight distributing mechanism so you need plenty of truck for the trailer that is being towed.
Lou Braun
The downside of the pintle hitch setup is that you can't use any weight distributing mechanism so you need plenty of truck for the trailer that is being towed.
Lou Braun
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
So we now have the love it/hate stories. I know everyone is right because each person has had a different experience with ***** vs. pintles. I'd like to tow a pintle before I make any decisions though.....
OK, another question; I have seen pintle hooks that have a ball built into them. Does this affect the way the trailer pulls, besides allowing the tower to have the option of towing trailers set up in different manners?
OK, another question; I have seen pintle hooks that have a ball built into them. Does this affect the way the trailer pulls, besides allowing the tower to have the option of towing trailers set up in different manners?
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,391
Likes: 1
From: NorCal
A pintle hitch with a ball tows the same as a regular pintle hitch.
For your use I think a 2-5/16" ball will work the best because it won't have the play in it that a pintle hitch has so you will have a much smoother and more comfortable ride when towing.
A pintle hitch is easier to hook up to quickly and securely, but not by much.
For your use I think a 2-5/16" ball will work the best because it won't have the play in it that a pintle hitch has so you will have a much smoother and more comfortable ride when towing.
A pintle hitch is easier to hook up to quickly and securely, but not by much.