Hitch ball

[gbaglo]

About half-way through our 1,800 k trip, Keath pointed out that my hitch ball was a little loose - as in you could rotate the ball with your hand.

I tried to tighten the nut, but there is nothing to grip. All you can do is grasp the ball with your hand and I'm lacking a vice-like grip. I had at least six threads below the nut and the nut didn't seem to be easing off at all, so I elected to do nothing.

Now that I'm home. how do I run the nut up another half turn so it is tight. I presume I shouldn't apply my pipe wrench to the ball.

baglo

[PGDriver]

I use a rag and a pipe wrench, works great.

[thoer]

Isn't there a flange on the bottom of the ball assembly (top of the threads - right where it contacts the hitch) with flats ground on both sides so that a wrench can grab it there? Maybe that is only with the ball I have on ours. I have been told that once they come loose that the lock washer should be replaced.

Originally Posted by gbaglo

About half-way through our 1,800 k trip, Keath pointed out that my hitch ball was a little loose - as in you could rotate the ball with your hand.

I tried to tighten the nut, but there is nothing to grip. All you can do is grasp the ball with your hand and I'm lacking a vice-like grip. I had at least six threads below the nut and the nut didn't seem to be easing off at all, so I elected to do nothing.

Now that I'm home. how do I run the nut up another half turn so it is tight. I presume I shouldn't apply my pipe wrench to the ball.

baglo

[gbaglo]

Nothing to grip below the ball itself, although I've had a ball like that.
I'll try the rag and pipe wrench.

Thanks.

baglo

[fudge_brownie]

My hitch ball rotates even though it is tightned. I am using the hitch ball mount that came with my Toyota, I have two other mounts but this one gave me the correct height. That hitch ball had an over size hole for the ball but came with a brass sleeve to make the fit correct. Even using a lock washer it is not possible to tighten the ball in such a way that it does not spin. It is solid and not going any where it just turns.

[gbaglo]

I found that a pipe wrench with cloth to protect the ball didn't work for me. The ball still rotated. But, I discovered that the flange under the ball is wider that the ball itself so I could use the pipe wrench there without damaging the ball. I managed to tighten it about half or a three-quarter turn and the ball doesn't rotate. Need to apply grease to the hitch now, I guess.

baglo

[bvansnell]

Glenn:

You might want to investigate the Reese Interlock system to solve the problem.

http://www.amazon.com/Reese-Towpower.../dp/B000CQQKGU

The ball and ball mount fit together in a way that they can be tightened without slipping. We have this system on our trailer and it solved our slipping problem. We bought the ball and mount at Walmart in the US for about half the price it can be purchased in Canada.

The photo shows the way the hitch ball can be tightened on the ball mount using the hitch receiver as a vice. Notice you don't have to hold the ball at all since it locks into the ball mount.

Brian

[gbaglo]

Don't you just love buying stuff that works? I got a new adjustable wrench to do the job.
If I could only keep track of what I did with the stuff when I need it the next time.

Anybody know where I put the nail clippers for the dog?

baglo

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Anybody know where I put the nail clippers for the dog?

baglo

The Dremel tool works great and Jasper likes it much better too.

[gbaglo]

Which of the hundreds of bits, sanding pads and cutters do you use?

baglo

[PEI peapod]

Loose hitch ball is definitely not good. The movement of the ball is bound to create problems eventually, when you least expect it. Previous comments re replacing the lock washer.....absolutely yes. Once the washer looses its tension, it will act only as flat washer....less locking or none at all. By the way most truck and RV repair shops have the tools to tighten balls....and they and probably wouldn't charge for such a simple job. Don't take chances.

[bvansnell]

There is quite a long thread on the "other" fiberglass Forum which discusses the problem of loose hitch balls, for those who are interested.

http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...ing-37446.html

There is a good link for hitch ball torque here:

http://www.easternmarine.com/em_stor...pler_tech.html

TIGHTEN NUT WITH TORQUE WRENCH AS FOLLOWS:
3/4" DIA. THREAD: 150 LB.-FT.
1" DIA. THREAD: 250 LB.-FT.

Brian

[Chuck]

It's always reassuring when Baglo gets his ball tightened

[Geo]

I found that good ball has parallel flat spots on the flange so you can put a wrench there.
Remember to match your ball, stud, reciever and hitch.
Not only for your trailer but total load.
Personal I talked with a Hitch company, to make sure that I was not overlooking anything?
Geo

[shanngord]

We had problems 3 years ago towing a 19 foot stickie built on our way to Haida Gwai (a.k.a. Queen Charlotte Islands) in regards to loose balls, hitch height, etc. I think that we stopped at every Kal Tire store between Prince George and Terrace. They tightened everything up and only charged us for parts. (We finally had Firestone airbags ordered in Burns Lake for delivery in Terrace - that solved the geometry problem.)

The moral of the story is: if you need your ball tightened and don't have the right stuff, don't drive home frustrated. The friendly folks at Kal Tire pride themselves on fast, friendly service especially for travellers.

G

[Roger C H]

I filed two flats on the flange so that I can use an open end wrench which is not as wide as a pipe wrench which mars the ball. I tightened to 150 inch pounds. Less, I found, I get surging on concrete highways because of the expansion joints in the concrete.

My new hitch has a pin through the flange preventing the ball from turning.