Tow Ball - quality question

I need to get a tow ball, and was wondering if there are quality differences or if some brands are better than others? Don't want to spend extra if not needed, but don't want to have something that is going to fall apart or shear due to cheap quality steel.

 

I can't answer on quality or what not.

But i was in a recent store looking for a 2" ball, normally i stick with Reese.
They had a 2" 6000 lbs towing for 35$, or a 2" 7500 lbs for 15$. It was a darker colored ball, i don't remember the type of steel it was thoe...

 

Keep in mind also to buy the correct size shaft for the tow bar you are using too. I've always used Reese brand and never had a problem.

 

Watch out for the universal fit ball that has a spacer to fill the mounting hole. I had one years ago that would work loose because the spacer was actually longer than the bumper thickness and I almost lost a trailer with two motorcycles.

Sandy

(Like 5 seconds late)

 

I have seen a 2" ball rated as high as 8000#. Typically a 2" ball is 5000-6000# rated. The trick is knowing how much drop/rise you need, ball size, and loaded trailer weight. My horse trailer is 2600# empty and made for 2 horses. I figure with my 2 horses in it, as well as tack, and anything else we need, it would be about 5500# to pull. It also rides on a 2" ball. Much more and it would be going for a 2-5/16" ball that is usually about 12-15k rated.

If you look at a section of drop hitches and varying sized balls, you can see that the different balls come with varying sized shafts, which change weight rating. A weight rating on multiple parts is only as high as the lowest part. It is usually cheaper to get a kit (drop hitch, ball, and lock pin) than to buy the parts individually.

A 6000# drop hitch that is cheaper should do the same for you as a 5000# hitch that is more expensive.

 

stick with a name brand and get the right ball and mount weight rating as well as the correct drop and never worry about it.

 

As far as the 2 inchers go I don't think ive ever seen one that is rated for more than 6k.

I bought the 17,000 pound rated 2 5/16 ball and solid ball mount at Oreillys. About $55 for ball and mount (cant really remember). I've done as much as 16k with it for thousands of miles so if anybody needs a heavy duty ball and mount just buy that, you'll never have to worry about it, and call it good. I believe its a Reese brand??

 

buy it stainless