Looking for some opinions.
I now have two small trailers, one with 1-7/8" and one with a 2" coupler. I've seen several interchangeable ball setups that allow you to quickly change the size of the ball. Several different brands out there with many different ways to change/attach the ball. Run from $30 for a 2 ball set to $99 for a stainless 3 ball set. Would like to use one ball mount, and yes, with my setups I need the drop.

Pros/cons of one style over the other?
Any brands to stay away from?
Anyone have good/bad luck with one brand or another?

I tow once or twice a month. The 1-7/8" is on a small boat, the 2" is on a utility trailer (4 wheelers). Occasionally visit a friends ranch where I may use the 2-5/16" ball.

Thx.

 

Couldn't you simplify the problem by having matching couplers on your two trailers? Looks like a new coupler is as cheap as having an extra ball.

http://www.jcwhitney.com/item.jhtml?ITEMID=30036

It doesn't address everything you asked but, it may make the right decision easier to get to.

 

i think the one that i have is a reese

i keep the ***** in the door panel and the hitch is locked into the receiver. i like having the extra protection back there

as far as quality goes, remember in most cases you get what you pay for

i would rather change an interchangeable trailer ball over trying to change the coupler. you are looking at a lot of labor costs if you do not know what you are doing to do it yourself

 

Raoul,
Thought about changing the coupler, but that would limit me on flexibility should I need to hook up to a trailer somewhere other than mine. Like the idea of having all sizes of ***** available in the truck.

Ron993,
I've seen the reese setup. I was wondering about the detatch mechanism located on the top. created any problems with inadvertent release? seems to have the most reasonable costs for the 3 ball set.

Thx!

 

damn Strongwind

where in Cypress do u live???

i live off of telge

i got tired of telling ppl where Cypress is lol


i just went and looked at mine and i am not sure what brand it is

but each ball has a pin that goes from one side to the other and that is what holds it on to the shank, so the only way that the ball is going to come of the shank is by some slim chance the pin gets sheared off on both ends or the trailer is gone

 

If you check the Reese site there is a voluntary recall of their interchangable ball mounts. Here is a link to the information.

http://www.asps.com/Recall-Mgt/img36.gif

John

 

I use a versaball interchangeable ball mount. My boat is a 2" and my camper a 1 7/8". I keep a duffel bag in the bed with the drop bar and the ball I'm not using. I have been very happy with it, simple to change sizes.
I used to have two drop bars with the different sizes, but the versaball is mor convient.
Jeff

 

jmalds,
Thx for the heads up on the reese. I was looking at that model since it was relatively inexpensive. Changed my mind on that one...

ron993
I live off 290/barker cypress/jarvis. I just tell people we live out in the "country". I've seen the one you describe with the pin. Like the looks of it. now If I can find a good price...

 

Here's another source:

http://www.hitch-ball.com/

 

We use a Reese style at work, not sure if it is a Reese brand, but we love them, they work really slick. We have numerous trailers with all different sizes of couplers, and this is a quick and easy way for us to change between trailers.

 

I have three draw-bars... One with a 2" ball on it, one with a 1 7/8 on it, and a stainless drawbar with a stainless ball on it for looks only. It takes me longer to find the keys in my pocket for the tailgate than it does to change the ball. I'm not a big fan of those change-a-*****... they don't seem very secure for pulling a 5000lb boat with, but that's just my opinion... I just prefer having a solid ball.

-Joe-

 

I have used two different brands, Convert-A-Ball and Adapt-A-Ball.

The Convert-A-Ball has a pin with O-rings on each end and will stay in the ball when you store it off the base. Less chance of losing the pin. The base has a round shaft. I think that if something were to bind between the hitch and the ball then the pin would take all the stress of any twisting.

The Adapt-A-Ball has a hex shaped base so the pin would have less stress. The pin locks in well when the ball is on the base but is loose when it's not on the base making the pin real easy to lose.

I have not had any problems with either brand but prefer the Adapt-A-Ball because of the hex shaft.

 

I have the Reese interchangeable ball system and one of its best features is that the ball is free to rotate on the tapered shaft (shaft has four bearings). This ensures less binding between the trailer and ball and smoother cornering, especially when backing up.

 

Everyone,
Thx for the input. I went with the Adapt-a-ball setup. Liked the Hex shaft. Don't like the loose pins though. Paid $40 for it.

gah - Check jmalds link above regarding the Reese. It's been "recalled".

Thanks again.

 

StrongWind:
The Reese recall was back in February and only concerns specific part numbers. I bought mine recently and it's not part of the recall according to Reese. Perhaps they modified the design ... the problem was with trailers having negative tongue weights.

Thanks for the "heads up" though.