How To Determine What Size Ball I Need For A Trailer Coupler That Does Not Have Size Listed

Updated 02/29/2020 | Published 06/20/2010

Question:

I have a haulin trailer with a shelby 5133 coupler. Cant read what size ball it takes. How do I determine what size ball I need to purchase ?

asked by: Dan

Expert Reply:

I looked up the Shelby 5133 coupler and it said it uses a 2 inch hitch ball.

You also need to get the right ball shank diameter and ball shank length. The ball mount determines the diameter and length. If you measure the hole size diameter in your ball mount, that gives you the ball shank diameter, there is a 3/4 inch, 1 inch and 1-1/4 inches diameter available.

You need to measure the thickness of the ball mount to determine the ball shank length. Short length is less than 2 inches. Medium length is between 2 inches and 3 inches. Long length is greater than 3 inches.

The Tow Ready 2 Inch Hitch Ball, # 63845, is a popular number that we sell. It has a 1 inch diameter shank and a 2-1/8 inches length.

expert reply by: Jeff D

Jason P.

2/28/2020

Hi I am getting a 2002 pioneer fleetwood m-19t4 and not sure ball size. Trailer a lil over 4000 lbs

Chris R.

2/29/2020

I would say there's a pretty good chance that the coupler on the 2002 Fleetwood Pioneer accepts a 2" hitch ball, but the only way to know for sure would be to ask the seller or look for the info that should be stamped inside the coupler itself. The appropriate ball size might also be listed in the original paperwork. I wasn't able to track down this information in my own research (info like this on older trailers can be pretty difficult to locate without actually having the trailer on hand).