ball hitch question

[BassGizmo]

I was wondering how tight the trailer reciever should be on the ball. I made it just tight enough that it can't move up and down. Is that ok???

[Rob Mak]

tighten it as tight as ya can get it then get a hunk o pipe and tighten it more.some times they will vibrate loose remember to gease the ball.and oil the hitch on the trailer.

[jeffman]

CATCHER,

I would get a tube of Loc-Tite and take the hitch to a tire shop that changes truck and tractor tires. Smear the Loc-Tite in the threads and have the tire shop tighten the nut down all thay can with a heavy duty air wrench. (200 lbs or more)
I did mine this way, then pulled the receiver out of the hitch and drilled a 1/8 inch hole thru the nut and bolt of the hitch. Then I put a tight fitting cotter key thru the nut and bent it over on the back side.

JackL

[BassGizmo]

I think i gave you guys the wrong idea of my question. I know the ball hitch must be super tight. I was talking about the hitch on the trailer that hooks to the ball. (where it locks to the ball.) I would think it should be as tight so you can barely get it flipped closed without forcing it.

sorry about that guys.

[Rob Mak]

oh ...... ok...
i would not get it that tight, i have had mine freeze shut. it was a pain to release. use a good lithium spray grease in it. also if ya fish in cold weather spray the ball and hitch with deicer.
your first post said it was "so it would not move up and down" this is ok.

jackl i used one of those nuts that has the nylon-plastic-inside it. i put at least 360 pounds torque on my ball.
anit moved since. Â*

zooker

[catfishtonyd]

Be sure to keep some kind of lubricant on the ball. I've seen an unlubricated one loosen up from friction with the trailer, not to mention galling the trailer coupler, and the ball.