trailer hitch

[lugbolt]

I have never noticed this before and I've towed trailers everywhere with different vehicles. When I slide the ball mount into the receiver on my truck, I push it in, put the pin through it, and slide the pin through and put the clip on. Earlier I slid it in like normal and for whatever reason pushed it as far back as it could go. In doing so I kind of measured half-heartedly how far I had to pull it back out of the receiver to line the pin up--a good 5" give or take, which is not quite half the length of the ball mount. Why does the ball mount not slide most of the way back? Sure seems like it'd eliminate some rattling? I have an extended ball mount that is longer than usual (have to use it for one of the boats) and I could slide it all the way back, mark a new hole and drill it out. Is there any reason that wouldn't be a good idea other than having to drill 2 new 5/8" holes?

 

[NCL4701]

Before you go to the trouble to do that, probably worth checking the length of the tube on your truck’s hitch you’re sliding the mount into. Good chance when you’re pushing the mount in way further than usual it’s going all the way out the back of the tube and whatever part of the mount is past the back of the tube is just hanging in the air so that extra depth isn’t really accomplishing anything, or maybe just not as much as it might seem. If you’re really getting substantial additional engagement between the hitch tube and mount, maybe it’s worth doing and seeing if it results in less rattling.

 

[jyoutz]

https://www.amazon.com/Tightener-Stabilizer-Trailer-Movement-Accessories/dp/B0C3C4F22V/ref=asc_df_B0C3C4F22V?mcid=6e17e4924d6f36369e521320cabd101f&hvocijid=17152036864588456399-B0C3C4F22V-&hvexpln=73&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=692875362841&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17152036864588456399&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9030404&hvtargid=pla-2281435180458&psc=1

 

[DustyRusty]

https://www.amazon.com/Tightener-Stabilizer-Trailer-Movement-Accessories/dp/B0C3C4F22V/ref=asc_df_B0C3C4F22V?mcid=6e17e4924d6f36369e521320cabd101f&hvocijid=17152036864588456399-B0C3C4F22V-&hvexpln=73&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=692875362841&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17152036864588456399&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9030404&hvtargid=pla-2281435180458&psc=1

I purchased one of these and it is more of a pain in the a$$ to use than it is worth. It does work, but you have to carry a ratcheting box wrench to loosen and tighten it every time you install or remove the receiver.

 

[lugbolt]

Before you go to the trouble to do that, probably worth checking the length of the tube on your truck’s hitch you’re sliding the mount into. Good chance when you’re pushing the mount in way further than usual it’s going all the way out the back of the tube and whatever part of the mount is past the back of the tube is just hanging in the air so that extra depth isn’t really accomplishing anything, or maybe just not as much as it might seem. If you’re really getting substantial additional engagement between the hitch tube and mount, maybe it’s worth doing and seeing if it results in less rattling.

the back of the RECEIVER is blind, ball mount cannot come out the back.

 

[Lil Foot]

https://www.amazon.com/Tightener-Stabilizer-Trailer-Movement-Accessories/dp/B0C3C4F22V/ref=asc_df_B0C3C4F22V?mcid=6e17e4924d6f36369e521320cabd101f&hvocijid=17152036864588456399-B0C3C4F22V-&hvexpln=73&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=692875362841&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17152036864588456399&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9030404&hvtargid=pla-2281435180458&psc=1

I have a motorcycle bumper carrier that has a similar attachment, and yes it works well, but it is a PITA to use.
Thankfully, I rarely use the carrier.

 

[Lil Foot]

the back of the RECEIVER is blind, ball mount cannot come out the back.

Several of my hitches are like this.

 

[skeets]

All I know about bumper hitches is I will find one walking through a parking lot in the dark !!!!

 

[lynnmor]

If and when you need to use the extended position there will be a weakened spot at the newly drilled holes.

If you do run the ball mount in the short position, check for interference with the bumper when trailer is jack-knifed near the maximum.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

Drill the new hoes, no harm in that. It will not weaken the sleeve.... just look at how trusses are made. look at the amount of holes Ijoists can have..providing they're dead centered top to btm.
I have dozens of sleeves ,some custom made and the distance between ball and pin hole is based on NOT having the trailer hit the truck when backing up and jackknifing...(well, hopefully...)

 

[lugbolt]

Nevermind.

I made it work.

It's an extended ball mount (about 18" OAL) and the manufacturer (curt) drilled the pin hole at almost the very end, so it sticks WAY out and rattles even with the trailer hooked up to it. I slid it in to the end, after removing the surface rust and the weld boogers way up inside the receiver, then marked, then bored the new .650" hole in the ball mount. They ended up almost exactly 5 1/2" from the original. At least the ball mount fits all the way up inside the receiver now.

I have to use an extended ball mount because of the way the trailer is made, short tongue and can't turn right very well with the old ball mount which put the ball exactly 1.5" behind the bumper. All the other trailers are fine, just the one is problematic.

but it's fixed.