Ever break a ball ?

Have you ever snapped a ball off the hitch of your truck?

Assuming you were somewhere within the load limits of your ball & trailer in the first place (not trying to pull a bulldozer with a 1-7/8" ball). And the hitch system wasn't all rusted out.

If it did occur, what was the contributing cause?

Have never heard of it happening, but was just wondering if it does occur out in the world.

Thanx !

Pete
 
Seems to me I had one, with the bolt screwed in to the bottom of the ball. And had the bolt break after several trips of use.
Was along time ago though so might have not been only a grade 2 bolt.
 
I had one break many years ago.It was one of those carriage bolts that went through a hollow ball.The middle of the bolt was rusted to nothing.The Valley hitch rep that came into the parts store told us years ago the the bolt up through the bottom types are fine,BUT,the bolt has to fit tightly through the hole.Putting a 3/4 bolt through a 1 inch hole would not cut it.Bushing the hole was fine,you just didn't want to let that ball work back and forth.Tightening those bolts with an air wrench can be a problem sometimes.The lock washers will try to open up and spread out,and after the ball getting yanked around for a while it breaks and you have a loose ball.After that it's not long before the bolt snaps.
 
(quoted from post at 15:33:41 08/29/18) Seems to me I had one, with the bolt screwed in to the bottom of the ball. And had the bolt break after several trips of use.
Was along time ago though so might have not been only a grade 2 bolt.

I believe those are now considered "an Agri Ball" for use on lawn tractors and atv's. Usually 1-7/8" ball and rated at only 1000lbs.

The trailer balls that some yahoos use to drop the snatch strap over are a good candidate to fail.
 
I knew a guy that raced stock car and broke a 14,000 lb. ball. Thank goodness for good set of safety chains. I pull my 14,000lb. trailer with 25,000lb. solid shank and 25,000lb. ball. It doesn't cost that much to go heavier.
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I would not trust a ball with a bolt! Have never heard of a forged 2" ball breaking. But have heard of the pin in a receiver hitch shearing.
 
Vic most people that buy those pins don't look at what the pin is rated at. I match my pin to the weight rating of hitch and shank and some times even go with heavier rated pin if I can find it.
 
I never had a ball break.In the early 1980's I used a friend's trailer and he wanted me to use his 2 inch ball that the bolt threads in from the bottom.The bolt loosened up and fell out.Good thing safety chains held.Don't ever use theses.They are not a good design.
 
I still have a 2" ball with internal threads that a 3/4" cap screw threads into from the bottom. Worked great for years. I think the important thing in all cases is not to overload your equipment.
 
About 40 years ago I bought a good used 66 Chevy C10 pickup (wish I still had it) and it had one of those dealer installed bumpers with a recess in the center with a hitch plate. It had one of those 1-7/8" balls made that way; a carriage bolt thru a hollow ball. I think it had 1000# rating. I used it a few times to tow a fishing boat trailer.
 
Much cheaper if you buy them together on Amazon vs buying them separately.

I can't help saying, Bet it will hurt breaking a ball and watching trailer pass the truck. LOL
 
I didn't go with any thing from Ebay or Amazon because you really don't know if it is what seller says it is. My shank is not a curt but one like it and is sold by Napa and it is made of solid piece of steel and cost around $70.00 .
 

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