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Re: TRAILER HITCH Confusion Posted by Larry West [Email] (#1140) [Profile/Gallery] (more from Larry West) on Thu, 16 May 2013 09:35:22 In Reply to: TRAILER HITCH Confusion, STICKMAN, Thu, 16 May 2013 06:51:39 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
A Receiver hitch, if built-in to your vehicle is actually part of the frame, while a "bumper hitch" is not. Even if the receiver is not original to the vehicle, they are usually much more integral with the design of the vehicle, using various tie-in points.
The reason for the differing ball sizes is simple. It's all about the load you are pulling. In theory, it prevents you from hooking up your 8,000#, 37' sport fisherman to your Yugo... Bigger, er, larger diameter balls for, er, more towed weight (whew!)... There are different "class" sizes, and there is a weight range that goes along with a ball size (see link).
If you tow disparate objects, then yes, you'll end up with a collection of draw bars with the proper size ball on it. Or, you can buy one of those 3-in-1 draw bars that you rotate to the right position. If all you tow is light stuff, and you need to swap between 2" & 1 7/8 balls, there's a special ball that allows you to swap out just the ball (http://goo.gl/4Z7Xy).
Generally, all the bits you need are designed so you can NOT easily mix & match classes by bolting them together. If a light utility trailer is Class I (using a 1 7/8" ball), then you'll need to do some work to put a Class IV coupling on it so you can pull it with your 2" ball. They also specify the size of the bolt that is on the bottom of the ball, again so you can't easily shove a larger ball onto a hitch not designed to take the weight.
This is not to say it hasn't been done. As Einstein was reputed to have said: "Genius has limits. But stupidity is infinite".
If the draw bar is rattling in the receiver:
1) if you're not towing anything, take it out, wrap it in a towel, and put it in the trunk.
2) if you are towing, it shouldn't rattle except perhaps at a "neutral" load, e.g. that moment between pulling and braking. If it does, then you can shim it a bit with plastic.
More than you wanted to know about tow hitches...
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