Sportframe Drawbar 5/8" Rise 2000# Kit

Video Transcript for Ball Mount Comparison Review

Today we are going to talk about ball mounts: what they are for, and what they can do for you. As you can see here, we have a variety of different types. And we are going to start off with the most basic type and go all the way up to the most advanced ones with the most adjustability to them. First, we will start off with a typical ball mount. And this configuration here is for a 2-inch receiver and also is a drop version. Basically, it is going to be 4 inches. Also, some models will have a gusset on the bottom, here, to give them a little bit added strength. Some of the typical straight ones will not have this, of course. And, depending on the materials it is made of, some will have the gusset and some will not. One other thing about ball mounts is, we have to talk about rise and drop. Basically, how they measure that is from the top of the shank down to the bottom of the plate here, that is considered the drop. And the rise position is considered this way - from the top of the shank again - well, to the top of the hitch - to the top of this plate here. And that gives you your rise measurement. So, in this case, we actually have from here to here a 4-inch drop, and then from here to here we have approximately about a 2-3/4 inch rise. And those rules apply to any ball mount out there. 1:04

The next one we will talk about is an upgrade from there, this one for a convertible. Again, it has the same polished shank tube steel construction, and flat steel for the ball itself. And this is considered a straight ball mount, or a 2-inch drop. The upgrade version of this is because it is a cushioned ball mount. As you can see here, there is a slot right here where the pin will go through, and then this inside piece here will actually move back and forth to absorb the energy from starting and stopping. We will flip it around, and you can see the bushing right here and here. And then this little steel cube right here, which actually holds the hitch pin, will work back and forth against the bushing to help smooth out slack when you are starting and stopping. 1:42

The next upgraded ball mount we are going to talk about is this one from Master Lock, and basically it again has the same basic construction. And again, we have a drop ball mount here. This one does not use a hitch pin as a normal ball mount does. It actually has its locking mechanism on the inside of it. It is activated by this key, and all you do is turn the key, and you can retract it or expand it into its locking position. It is really nice you do not have to worry about losing the pin or clip separate from the ball mount. And this one also has a one-tool torque feature. Basically, it has a specialized ball that you can use with this, and then it holds down the ball while you torque down the nut on the bottom. 2:18

The next ball mount we will talk about is the adjustable ball mount, as shown here. This one is from Master Lock. And, basically, it has the same welded shank connected to this device here, which is the actual adjustable part here. And you can put a tool on top here and crank this down. This ball mount plate will actually rise up or down, as needed, in almost infinitely different increments. Again, with most adjustable ball mounts, too, you can actually use them in a drop or rise position. Generally, these top out at around 5,000 lbs. And this particular model takes one or two tools to operate. Basically, you can use a regular 3/8 ratchet, which will fit on top of the nut here, just like a big socket, basically. Then you can operate the ball mount to just the right amount of level you need. You can also use a 3/4 inch wrench on the end of this nut here, too, to accomplish the same thing. Now, other adjustable ball mounts actually use pin and clips, too. You will not have as much adjustability, but it might be just enough for what you need to get yourself down the road. 3:17

The next ball mount we are going to talk about is the specialty ball mount. The reason why they are specialty is that they are actually kind of dedicated for a certain purpose. Basically, the same steel type construction. As in this one here, it actually has two hitch balls welded onto it. And you have a 2-inch on the rise position and then you have 1-7/8 in the drop position. And these actually can be ordered in the reverse configuration of this, too. So, basically, you have two different trailer sets that would actually match up to this. This would be a dedicated ball mount for that purpose, thus being a specialty. The next ball mount we are going to talk about is from Tow Ready. And this one actually has all three hitch balls welded into place: the 2-5/16, 2-inch, and 1-7/8. Basically, with this ball mount you are going to be using it in the rise position only. However, in most cases, the 2-5/16 and 2-inch balls will probably be close to the same right height on those trailers. However, with the 1-7/8 inch ball, the trailer might ride a little bit higher than normal. If you tow infrequently, it might not be much of a problem for you. So this is a pretty good ball mount to have around if you have multiple sets of trailers. All the ball mounts that are shown do come in varying weight capacities. So, basically, you want to make sure how heavy a trailer you are pulling, and you want to match the ball mount to it. That is pretty much the Golden Rule. If you have a 5,000-lb trailer, and you have a choice between a 3500-lb ball mount or, say, a 6,000-lb ball mount always go with the 6,000-lb ball mount. Never go below.