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Author Topic:   Trailer Hitch Ball

Sourpuss1 posted 11-16-2011 11:23 AM ET (US)
I am planning a trip to pick up my newly aquired (sight unseen) 1978 SPORT 17. The trailer is original to the boat, and I am planning for the usual bearing, tire, and light failures as part of a 14-hour round trip. Photos to follow. The unknown in this is the (also recently acquired) 2009 Ford Edge all-wheel drive that I will use to tow the trailer. The Ford has one of those wimpy 1-1/4-inch [hitch] receivers. I'm very familiar with 2-inch [hitch receivers] and own a full set [of accessories]. The 1-1/4-inch Class II Hitch [draw bars] are evidently only available with 3/4-inch ball holes, so that means a new, smaller shaft, ball, also. Any advice on brand, rise, fall, and so on, would be appreciated. Thanks,
Pete
ConB posted 11-16-2011 11:53 AM ET (US)
If you do not want to buy the 1 1/4-draw bar you could buy an adapter.
http://www.draw-tite.com/content/products.aspx?lvl=3&parentid=1300& catID=1375&part=80303
Con
Tom W Clark posted 11-16-2011 12:00 PM ET (US)
A Class II receiver is more than adequate for a towing Sport 17. Just buy the 1-1/4-inch [draw bar] and ball and be done with it. That Draw-Tite 80303 adapter will cost just as much.
Binkster posted 11-16-2011 12:08 PM ET (US)
As Tom said a class II receiver is more than adequate for a 17-foot boat. They have a 200-lbs capability for tongue weight. Towed a 18-foot bass boat with a V6 Suzuki with one, no problem.
Tohsgib posted 11-16-2011 12:08 PM ET (US)
I think you also want the top of your ball to be 17-inches off the ground.
tjxtreme posted 11-16-2011 12:50 PM ET (US)
The rise, drop, and length will be particular to that car model. Take some measurements and go from there.
My car has a class II setup and the ball mount has to have a long length and high rise to get around the bumper and reach an appropriate height.
Buckda posted 11-16-2011 08:00 PM ET (US)
Re: the drop or rise, it will depend on the trailer, and the size of tires on the tow vehicle, and the trailer, and where the drawbar is mounted on the vehicle. If you're going to guess, buy one that gives you a heavier and longer than needed drop; it will put more tongue weight on the ball if the trailer tongue is lower than the center of the trailer wheels. Ideally, you want the trailer frame to be level. The best method is to buy one once you can take a measurement of the trailer. There should be a Wal-Mart or Advance Auto Parts nearby where you make the purchase; I'd check the boat out, make the deal and take a brief drive to the store to buy the proper one for the tow home. Worst case, buy two - one on SPEC, and, if you need a second one for normal duty, you can go that route once you actually have the boat.
jimh posted 11-17-2011 09:01 AM ET (US)
The trailer frame should be level. That sets the height for the hitch.
6992WHALER posted 11-17-2011 10:34 AM ET (US)
If I was picking this boat up I would:
1 Ask the seller to measure the height of the top of the trailer frame from the ground at the axle. Assuming a 3" frame subtract 1 inch and you have a pretty good idea of how high to mount your ball.
2 Have the seller take the trailer to a service center and have the bearings repacked, tires, lights, coupler, chains and springs, inspected and repaired as needed. Don't forget the spare tire. Work out payment between the seller and you. But do not do this after you show up, might cost you three days waiting for parts. Three nights in a hotel $300. Or worse a breakdown on the road add a tow truck and any damage to your costs.
(The service center guys might tell you how high to mount the ball.)
3 Confirm that you have the proper trailer light assembly on your truck and that it will match the trailer's plug.
4 The hitch on your truck is large enough to do the job so just get a ball asembly that fits it. Just make sure it has the capacity for the new boat 2,000 pounds is plenty. I personally tend to buy higher capacity if it is available for about the same money
5 Even though it is a good bet that the ball size is 2" double check before you show up and find out it is a different size.
6 Assume the tie downs are bad or are not included. Bring at least three straps one for each side of the transom and one for the bow. I would not plan on trusting a 33 year old winch to secure the bow.
7 Make sure you have a lug wrench that fits the trailer. one of those 4 sided lug wrenches will probably do the trick. I might put in a floor jack just for fun.

Do not trust the seller when he says the bearings are fine, they are not, just have them repacked.
Then sit back and enjoy all the people looking at your new boat on your nice relaxed drive home.
6992WHALER posted 11-17-2011 12:50 PM ET (US)
I was thinking about my reply.
I think it would make more sense to set up the ball/receiver capacity at the trucks capacity not based on the load of this trailer.
The Edge probably has a tow rating of 3,000-3,500.
Tohsgib posted 11-17-2011 02:17 PM ET (US)
You are all correct but the standard is(from DMV): Any trailer should sit close to level when attached to the tow car. Hitch height is measured from the ground to the base of the trailer ball. Typical hitch height to the ball should be around 15 to 18 inches. 17-19" is standard to the top of the ball.

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Author	Topic: Trailer Hitch Ball
Sourpuss1	posted 11-16-2011 11:23 AM ET (US) I am planning a trip to pick up my newly aquired (sight unseen) 1978 SPORT 17. The trailer is original to the boat, and I am planning for the usual bearing, tire, and light failures as part of a 14-hour round trip. Photos to follow. The unknown in this is the (also recently acquired) 2009 Ford Edge all-wheel drive that I will use to tow the trailer. The Ford has one of those wimpy 1-1/4-inch [hitch] receivers. I'm very familiar with 2-inch [hitch receivers] and own a full set [of accessories]. The 1-1/4-inch Class II Hitch [draw bars] are evidently only available with 3/4-inch ball holes, so that means a new, smaller shaft, ball, also. Any advice on brand, rise, fall, and so on, would be appreciated. Thanks, Pete
ConB	posted 11-16-2011 11:53 AM ET (US) If you do not want to buy the 1 1/4-draw bar you could buy an adapter. http://www.draw-tite.com/content/products.aspx?lvl=3&parentid=1300& catID=1375&part=80303 Con
Tom W Clark	posted 11-16-2011 12:00 PM ET (US) A Class II receiver is more than adequate for a towing Sport 17. Just buy the 1-1/4-inch [draw bar] and ball and be done with it. That Draw-Tite 80303 adapter will cost just as much.
Binkster	posted 11-16-2011 12:08 PM ET (US) As Tom said a class II receiver is more than adequate for a 17-foot boat. They have a 200-lbs capability for tongue weight. Towed a 18-foot bass boat with a V6 Suzuki with one, no problem.
Tohsgib	posted 11-16-2011 12:08 PM ET (US) I think you also want the top of your ball to be 17-inches off the ground.
tjxtreme	posted 11-16-2011 12:50 PM ET (US) The rise, drop, and length will be particular to that car model. Take some measurements and go from there. My car has a class II setup and the ball mount has to have a long length and high rise to get around the bumper and reach an appropriate height.
Buckda	posted 11-16-2011 08:00 PM ET (US) Re: the drop or rise, it will depend on the trailer, and the size of tires on the tow vehicle, and the trailer, and where the drawbar is mounted on the vehicle. If you're going to guess, buy one that gives you a heavier and longer than needed drop; it will put more tongue weight on the ball if the trailer tongue is lower than the center of the trailer wheels. Ideally, you want the trailer frame to be level. The best method is to buy one once you can take a measurement of the trailer. There should be a Wal-Mart or Advance Auto Parts nearby where you make the purchase; I'd check the boat out, make the deal and take a brief drive to the store to buy the proper one for the tow home. Worst case, buy two - one on SPEC, and, if you need a second one for normal duty, you can go that route once you actually have the boat.
jimh	posted 11-17-2011 09:01 AM ET (US) The trailer frame should be level. That sets the height for the hitch.
6992WHALER	posted 11-17-2011 10:34 AM ET (US) If I was picking this boat up I would: 1 Ask the seller to measure the height of the top of the trailer frame from the ground at the axle. Assuming a 3" frame subtract 1 inch and you have a pretty good idea of how high to mount your ball. 2 Have the seller take the trailer to a service center and have the bearings repacked, tires, lights, coupler, chains and springs, inspected and repaired as needed. Don't forget the spare tire. Work out payment between the seller and you. But do not do this after you show up, might cost you three days waiting for parts. Three nights in a hotel $300. Or worse a breakdown on the road add a tow truck and any damage to your costs. (The service center guys might tell you how high to mount the ball.) 3 Confirm that you have the proper trailer light assembly on your truck and that it will match the trailer's plug. 4 The hitch on your truck is large enough to do the job so just get a ball asembly that fits it. Just make sure it has the capacity for the new boat 2,000 pounds is plenty. I personally tend to buy higher capacity if it is available for about the same money 5 Even though it is a good bet that the ball size is 2" double check before you show up and find out it is a different size. 6 Assume the tie downs are bad or are not included. Bring at least three straps one for each side of the transom and one for the bow. I would not plan on trusting a 33 year old winch to secure the bow. 7 Make sure you have a lug wrench that fits the trailer. one of those 4 sided lug wrenches will probably do the trick. I might put in a floor jack just for fun. Do not trust the seller when he says the bearings are fine, they are not, just have them repacked. Then sit back and enjoy all the people looking at your new boat on your nice relaxed drive home.
6992WHALER	posted 11-17-2011 12:50 PM ET (US) I was thinking about my reply. I think it would make more sense to set up the ball/receiver capacity at the trucks capacity not based on the load of this trailer. The Edge probably has a tow rating of 3,000-3,500.
Tohsgib	posted 11-17-2011 02:17 PM ET (US) You are all correct but the standard is(from DMV): Any trailer should sit close to level when attached to the tow car. Hitch height is measured from the ground to the base of the trailer ball. Typical hitch height to the ball should be around 15 to 18 inches. 17-19" is standard to the top of the ball.