What Size Ball For Hitch?
- Thread starter Gebo
- Start date
2” is probably the most common.
2 inch is fairly standard for most modern utility trailers. Some really old boat trailers and log splitters used 1 7/8.
Bigger than 2 inch is usually for travel trailers and WD hitches.
Uhaul is all 2". I think they have an 18" hitch height (to the base of the ball) so get a shank with appropriate drop.
This
https://www.google.com/search?q=u+h...SBwCgBwCyBwC4BwDCBwDIBwA&sclient=gws-wiz-serp
https://www.google.com/search?q=Cur...SBwCgBwCyBwC4BwDCBwDIBwA&sclient=gws-wiz-serp
You will have to pick out a receiver to achieve the correct height. Pick a ball with thread diameter size to match your receiver.
It really depends on what you will be towing, the coupler size on of the trailer you will be towing and the weight of what you will be towing. A small 1 7/8" ball is generally rated at 2000 lb. max. A class 3 2" ball is rated up to 3500lbs. There's 2 inch balls that go up to 12000lbs but have a larger shank and may require a different hitch. The coupler size is almost always stamped on the trailer's coupler to avoid mistakes. There's always the option to have mutiple balls on hand (they're not all that expensive) or even a hitch with mutiple balls mounted on them (Usually for 2" receivers). Harbor Freight carries a number of these in different configuration on their website to get an idea of what's available.
Elkins45
Site Donor 2026
It’s almost certainly a 2” and if it isn’t it’s a 1-7/8”.
My little lawnmower trailer and Jon boat trailer are 1-7/8”, my big boat trailer is 2” and my car hauler is 2-5/8”
My little lawnmower trailer and Jon boat trailer are 1-7/8”, my big boat trailer is 2” and my car hauler is 2-5/8”
Most uhaul trailers have an adjustable tongues that will work with 1-7/8 and 2'' balls
Based on looking up "OEM tow hitch for GX460", it appears to be a receiver style, so you can have one or more ball mounts with different size balls or get a three-way such as this. Personally, I prefer having ball mounts with the correct drops for the trailer I'm towing. Make sure the ball mount and ball are designed for the weight of whatever you're towing.
If mostly towing U-Haul trailers, per their website: "The 2" hitch ball is the standard size required to rent a U-Haul trailer, whether it be the 5x9 utility trailer or 6x12 cargo trailer".
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In my town, its a bigger uhaul location and there is basically a trailer hitch store. They sell the hitch's, recievers, balls, wiring, everything you need, and it was quite reasonable prices. They even ordered my a hardware kit to mount a hitch and it was like a semi-reasonable $30 instead of the $90-100 amazon was trying for.
This shop could set you up with the right drop, and ball for your vehicle.
My dad would remove the ball mount from the receiver on his pickup when he wasn't towing because he said he was concerned about someone stealing the ball and mount. Apparently theft was once a problem for these. I do the same thing, not because of that concern, but because of the potential liability if someone hurts himself while walking by my truck or it causes damage to another vehicle in a wreck.
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- Dec 7, 2022
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I've had a few stick through the grill of the car behind me getting to close in heavy traffic. For some reason they always said it was my fault. I never had a problem with theft but just as soon as someone says "let me borrow your 2 hitch" it's gone for good.
Any good body shop will tell you damage from a serious rear end collision is likely to be far worse with a draw bar still in the hitch. Drop bars in particular just provide leverage to damage the rear framerails. Frame damage usually = totalled, even on an expensive, newer truck.
Furthermore, very few can figure out terminology here but as humans we invented language so we could have clear, concise communication.
Hitch or receiver: bolts to the frame or unibody, typically with a female receptacle
Draw bar or ball mount: the removable (typically male) object to which the ball attaches (excl pintle of course, which does not always employ a ball)
And yeah, I had a solid, forged drop draw bar with 1-1/4" shank 2-5/16" ball stolen ONCE in my small town. After that, it was locking hitch pins for me. Even back in ~2008 prices that was almost a $100 setup that was stolen.
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