Ball Mount Will Not Fit Into Draw-Tite Class I Hitch, # 24794, On Nissan Sentra

Updated 08/31/2010 | Published 08/30/2010

Products Featured in This Question

Draw-Tite Drawbar for 1-1/4" Hitches - 4" Rise - 10" Long - 2,000 lbs

(2336)

$31.14

Question:

The Reese 1-1/4 ball mount riser I have does not slide far enough into my Draw-Tite hitch 24794 so that I can use the locking pin its short by about 1/4. I can see that there is a punch indentation just behind the attachment plate that the ball mount is bumping up against when I slide it in. Is this normal? Thanks for any help.

asked by: Carl P

Expert Reply:

It sounds like the ball mount you have might be a Class II ball mount. The 1-1/4 inch size receivers come in two classes, Class I which is rated for 2,000 lbs. towing and 200 lb. tongue weight and Class II which is rated for 3,500 lbs. towing and 350 lbs. tongue weight.

To keep a user from overloading a Class I hitch, Class II hitch accessories, such as ball mounts and several bike racks and cargo carriers, are designed to not fit. Manufacturers accomplish this by placing a stopper in the back of a Class I hitch receiver so the ball mount or hitch accessory shank can only slide into the trailer hitch opening so far.

On a ball mount designed for Class II trailer hitches, the shank that slides into the hitch opening is longer. When this longer shank is slid into a Class I hitch, it will hit the stopper and the pin hole on the hitch will not line up with the pin hole on the class II ball mount.

On the Draw-Tite Class I Hitch, # 24794, you will need to use the recommended Class I ball mount for that hitch. It is the Draw-Tite Class I Ball Mount, # 3594. This is the ball mount that has to be used with the Class I hitch on a 2007 to 2010 Nissan Sentra.

All of the hitches for a Nissan Sentra are 1-1/4 inch Class I hitches.

I am sending a link to information on hitch receivers.

expert reply by: Jeff D