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What's the difference between chrome ball and black?

Discussion in 'Towing' started by ReidStylez, Oct 8, 2012.

  1. Oct 8, 2012 at 11:59 AM
    #1
    ReidStylez

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    ReidStylez [OP] Well-Known Member

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    ReidStylez, Oct 8, 2012
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  2. Oct 8, 2012 at 12:03 PM
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    Delmarva

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    Delmarva Mayor of TW

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    Delmarva, Oct 8, 2012
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  3. Oct 8, 2012 at 12:04 PM
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    TACOMABOSS

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    TACOMABOSS Well-Known Member

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    X2 and I would think the chrome one would be stronger
     
    TACOMABOSS, Oct 8, 2012
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  4. Oct 8, 2012 at 12:13 PM
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    ReidStylez

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    ReidStylez [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Ok so black will just be bare metal when rubbed off vs rust my chrome.
     
    ReidStylez, Oct 8, 2012
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  5. Oct 8, 2012 at 12:14 PM
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    ReidStylez

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    ReidStylez [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Also anyone use the tri ball?
     
    ReidStylez, Oct 8, 2012
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  6. Oct 8, 2012 at 12:17 PM
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    TACOMABOSS

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    TACOMABOSS Well-Known Member

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    bare metal would rust. chrome wont unless it gets rubbed off. but chrome is very durable. all the ball hitches i have are chrome
     
    TACOMABOSS, Oct 8, 2012
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  7. Oct 8, 2012 at 12:18 PM
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    ReidStylez

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    ReidStylez [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I didn't mean the chrome would rust. I meant I've seen chrome ones rusting on top because of use.
     
    ReidStylez, Oct 8, 2012
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  8. Oct 8, 2012 at 12:21 PM
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    TACOMABOSS

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    TACOMABOSS Well-Known Member

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    Oh, well none of mine have rusted. If you grease the ball it will be fine
     
    TACOMABOSS, Oct 8, 2012
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  9. Oct 8, 2012 at 12:24 PM
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    DriverSound

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    DriverSound Señor Member

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    My chrome eventually got some scratches from being used and developed rust where the scratches are.
     
    DriverSound, Oct 8, 2012
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  10. Oct 8, 2012 at 12:25 PM
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    Pugga

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    Pugga Pasti-Dip Free 1983 - 2015... It was a good run

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    ^^This. I grease my balls also (yes, I realize how that sounds). It stops squeeking and keeps them from rusting. I've always puchased chrome towing balls. The only thing I don't like about the tri-ball is the lack of drop. I'm using a ball mount with a 3.5" drop and it tows my trailer dead level. The tri-ball would be too high for most of the trailers I would ever tow.
     
    Pugga, Oct 8, 2012
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  11. Oct 8, 2012 at 12:33 PM
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    ReidStylez

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    ReidStylez [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Well only reason I'm looking at it is I'm grabbing a trailer to borrow and don't know what ball size I need. Plus if I ever need it later on. Now on something I own ill get the right drop.
     
    ReidStylez, Oct 8, 2012
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  12. Oct 8, 2012 at 1:46 PM
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    ReidStylez

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    ReidStylez [OP] Well-Known Member

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    What's the normal drop for a hitch for a tacoma with pre runner suspension? I have a 2011
     
    ReidStylez, Oct 8, 2012
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  13. Oct 9, 2012 at 12:42 PM
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    Pugga

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    Pugga Pasti-Dip Free 1983 - 2015... It was a good run

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    Completely depends on the trailer. I misspoke above, I'm using a 2" drop and it seemed to work for most trailers when I was stock height. I'm now slightly lifted and could probably do with another inch of drop for the ball mount with most small trailers.
     
    Pugga, Oct 9, 2012
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  14. Oct 10, 2012 at 6:16 AM
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    shemp

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    shemp Well-Known Member

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    All trailer balls will rust, whether chrome or not. The chrome will wear/flake off eventually (sooner rather than later), both will look like crap shortly. The black painted one just doesn't pretend to be something its not.

    In the end, its just a trailer ball. Get the one that is more durable, or cheaper if they're equal.

    I use a 3-ball for some loads. Typically long-ish or tall-ish single-axle trailers, like boat trailers. I use an adjustable drop for loads that are height sensitive. I've never had any use for the 2 5/16" ball, got the 3-ball because it was on sale cheaper than a 2-ball with 1 7/8 and 2". I plan to weld on a flange for a shackle on the 4th side.
     
    shemp, Oct 10, 2012
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  15. Oct 10, 2012 at 10:10 AM
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    ReidStylez

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    ReidStylez [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I just got a 3/4 drop/rise with 2" ball and free pin for $23 with chrome ball. Figured most trailers will be 2" ball.
     
    ReidStylez, Oct 10, 2012
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  16. Oct 17, 2012 at 5:39 PM
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    Yamaha Dave

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    Yamaha Dave Well-Known Member

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    It's a trailer ball hitch who gives a shit if it rusts. All of them black, chrome, or purple, if you tow anything of any significance will eventually rust.
     
    Yamaha Dave, Oct 17, 2012
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  17. Oct 17, 2012 at 5:46 PM
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    wildjerseyfirefighter

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    wildjerseyfirefighter I sell fishing and fishing accessories

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    stock, for now
    I tow every weekend, my ball isnt rusty
     
    wildjerseyfirefighter, Oct 17, 2012
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  18. Oct 17, 2012 at 5:53 PM
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    KenLyns

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    KenLyns 8.75" Third Member

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    KenLyns, Oct 17, 2012
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Products Discussed in

CURT 40053 Stainless Steel Trailer Hitch Ball, 6000 lbs, 2" Diameter, 1 x 2-1/8" Shank
$51.40
Reese Towpower 21512 Multiple-Ball Ball Mount,Black,Medium
$45.00
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