How to Tell What Size Ball Your Trailer Needs

How to Tell What Size Ball Your Trailer Needs – This is a question we get asked a lot, so we decided to make a quick video explaining how to determine what size trailer ball you need for your specific trailer.

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Checkout this video:

Why Size Matters

The size of your trailer’s ball mount should be based on the trailer’s gross trailer weight (GTW). The GTW is the weight of your trailer when it’s fully loaded and ready to tow. It’s important to choose a ball mount that can accommodate the GTW because if the ball mount is too small, it can cause serious damage to your trailer and your vehicle.

Too small and the ball will be overloaded

If the trailer ball is too small, it will be overloaded. This can lead to a number of problems, including:

– The trailer ball could break, causing the trailer to become detached from the tow vehicle.
– The trailer coupler could become damaged, causing it to break or come loose from the trailer.
– The tow vehicle could be damaged, since the force of the trailer will be greater than what the tow vehicle is designed to handle.

Too small of a trailer ball can also make it difficult to steer the trailer, since the weight will not be evenly distributed. It can also cause the trailer to bounce more, which can make it difficult to control.

Too big and the trailer will be unstable

If the trailer ball is too big, it will be unstable and could cause the trailer to jackknife. A trailer ball that is too small can cause problems, too. It might not fit properly in the coupler, which could cause the trailer to come detached from the tow vehicle. In addition, a small trailer ball can put extra stress on the coupler, which could cause it to fail.

How to Measure

The first step is to measure the diameter of the trailer hitch ball. You can do this by measuring the distance between the top and bottom of the ball. The next step is to measure the width of the trailer coupler. This is the distance between the two rails on the trailer coupler.

The distance from the ground to the bottom of the trailer tongue

You will need to measure the distance from the ground to the bottom of the trailer tongue to determine what size ball you need. A ball that is too small will not be able to support the weight of the trailer, and a ball that is too large will stick out and be vulnerable to being hit.

You will need a tape measure and a level. Place the level on the ground and measure from the ground to the bottom of the trailer tongue. Make sure to take several measurements at different points along the tongue, as it may not be level all along its length. Use the average of your measurements to determine the size ball you need.

The width of the trailer coupler

The width of the trailer coupler is important to know because it helps to determine what size ball you will need. The trailer coupler is the part of the trailer that attaches to the ball on the tow vehicle. The most common sizes are 2”, 2-5/16” and 2-3/4”. You will need to know the width of your trailer coupler in order to choose the right size ball.

If you have a 2” trailer coupler, you will need a 2” ball. If you have a 2-5/16” trailer coupler, you will need a 2-5/16” ball. If you have a 2-3/4” trailer coupler, you will need a 2-3/4“ ball.

Choosing the Right Size

When you are looking for a new trailer ball, the first thing you need to know is what size you need. You can find this information in your owner’s manual. If you don’t have your manual, you can also look for the information on the internet. Once you know what size you need, you can start shopping for the perfect ball for your trailer.

Use the manufacturer’s recommendations

When you are shopping for a trailer ball, it is important to choose the right size for your particular trailer and application. The first place to look for guidance on this is in your trailer owner’s manual. The manufacturer of your trailer will have specified a certain ball size, and you should always use their recommendations.

If you do not have your owner’s manual, or if you are shopping for a used trailer that did not come with one, you can often find the information you need on the manufacturer’s website. Failing that, you can also look at the tag that is affixed to the tongue of most trailers. This tag should list the maximum weight that the trailer is designed to carry, and this can be used to help determine the appropriate ball size.

As a general rule of thumb, you will want to use a 1-7/8″ ball for trailers that weigh 2000 lbs. or less, and a 2″ ball for trailers that weigh between 2000 and 6000 lbs. For trailers that weigh more than 6000 lbs., you will need to consult a weight-distribution chart to determine the appropriate ball size.

Use the Trailer Life Towing Guide

The Trailer Life Towing Guide is the most comprehensive resource for RV towing information. It includes detailed sections on vehicle preparation, hitches, Couplers & Balls, towing safety and more.

The Trailer Life Towing Guide is the best resource for RV towing information. It includes detailed sections on vehicle preparation, hitches, Couplers & Balls, towing safety and more. This guide will help you determine what size ball your trailer needs.

Use an online ball size calculator

There are a few ways to determine what size trailer ball you need. One way is to use an online ball size calculator. You’ll just need to know the tongue weight and trailer weight of your trailer. Once you have that information, the calculator will do the rest.

Another way to determine the right size trailer ball is to consult the owner’s manual for your vehicle. In most cases, there will be a section that lists recommended trailer ball sizes for various weights and tongue weights.

You can also look at the rating on the side of the trailer coupler. It should list the maximum weight and tongue weight that can be used with that coupler. Just make sure that you choose a trailer ball that is rated for at least those weights.