Towing capacity/Ball rating?

[robcarync]

My dad just purchased a new boat and we are planning on towing it with our current pick up truck which is a 4 cyl 2004 Toyota Tacoma. Even though a 4 cylinder and rear wheel drive, it has a towing capacity of 3500 pounds.

The boat is 1700 dry hull and all and all the trailer/motor/fuel/gear should add up to be around 2800 pounds.

The question is the load rating on our 2 inch ball. The 2 inch ball has a load rating of 2000 pounds. This is not the weight on the trailer, but the force pulling on the ball, correct? As in the shear strength?

For instance, if the ball/truck was connected to a chain and the chain to a stationary object, like say, a wall...The truck would pull 2000 pounds against the ball before it sheared/failed, correct?

Though the weight is around 3000 pounds, 90% of the weight is supported by the tires, which means only 300 pounds pushes down on the ball. So I would assume the ball rating is for the horizontal load of the truck pulling the boat.

I appreciate the feedback.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Towing capacity/Ball rating?

Is your ball mounted on the bumper or is there an actual hitch on the vehicle? That makes a difference.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Towing capacity/Ball rating?

I am pretty sure the rating is the maximum gross trailer weight allowed.
No matter what the tongue weight is.

Not all 2" balls are rated the same as they can be had in various shank diameters and lengths, ball heights, one piece, two piece, and various metals.

 

[109jb]

Re: Towing capacity/Ball rating?

Wrong. The ball rating is the total trailer weight. Get a different ball. You can get 2" hitch balls with different ratings from 2000 pounds up to about 8000 pounds. The towing capacity is the lowest of the ratings for the hitch, draw bar, ball, coupler,...

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Towing capacity/Ball rating?

If you have a receiver type hitch, it is pretty easy, just pick up a ball with a 1" shank and a mount for it, then you should be ok, but if the ball you have is rated for 2000lbs, then that is the maximum total weight it is rated to pull.

My comment about bumper or receiver hitch should have said, the ball is still rated at what its capacity says it is...cripes hit the post before I finished writing..

 

[robcarync]

Re: Towing capacity/Ball rating?

I have a frame hitch that, but the problem is the bar only has a hole of 1/2 inch I think so a bigger diameter won't work. The frame hitch has a 1 inch square receiver which the hitch is rated at 3500 pounds (same as truck) The 1 inch square bar that goes into the receiver hitch is rated at 3500 pounds, but since its only 1 inch square, the hole for the ball is 1/2 inch diameter.

I would imagine if a frame hitch is rated at 3500 pounds, then there has to be a ball with the right size shank that could hold at least that much.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Towing capacity/Ball rating?

Your frame hitch is either 1 1/4" or 2", there are adapters to take it from 1 1/4" to 2" square, so you can use a 2" ball mount with the proper rated ball, which should be a 1" shank ball..

Take a look through this website, specifically fitting and weight ratings.

http://www.draw-tite.com/content/default.aspx

Drawtite does list a 3500lb and a 6000lb 2" ball in their ball listings

http://www.draw-tite.com/content/products.aspx?lvl=3&parentid=1200&catID=1210&part=63824

http://www.draw-tite.com/content/products.aspx?lvl=2&parentid=1200&catID=1210 &part=0

Which ever way you go, you will have to upgrade your ball mount as well as your ball to reach the correct capacity...do you have a trailer shop anywhere close to you? If so, they can point you to the right parts that will achieve the weight ratings required to tow the boat.

 

[TerryMSU]

Re: Towing capacity/Ball rating?

I have a frame hitch that, but the problem is the bar only has a hole of 1/2 inch I think so a bigger diameter won't work. The frame hitch has a 1 inch square receiver which the hitch is rated at 3500 pounds (same as truck) The 1 inch square bar that goes into the receiver hitch is rated at 3500 pounds, but since its only 1 inch square, the hole for the ball is 1/2 inch diameter.

I would imagine if a frame hitch is rated at 3500 pounds, then there has to be a ball with the right size shank that could hold at least that much.

I am far from an expert on this, but a 1" square receiver rated for 3500 pounds? Are you absolutely sure of that? It sounds awefully high for a one inch receiver. I checked the drawtite web site and they have a 1.25 inch rated for 3500 pounds (Class 2 drawbar). Perhaps yours is 1.25" instead, but even then, I would not want to pull it with a 1.25 inch drawbar.

TerryMSU

 

[BF]

Re: Towing capacity/Ball rating?

just to add, class I hitches (2000# max) will have drawbars with smaller holes in them. That way they will only take the balls with the smaller threads/shanks, and those will also be rated and stamped 2000# max. That way, if someone is wondering what the hitch is rated for, they won't see 3500# or 8000# or some other number stamped on the ball (which is way over what the hitch is rated for)... b/c those higher capacity balls won't fit through the little hole in a class I drawbar.

So... either someone stuck on a 2" ball with a thinner shank/threads on it (designed for a 2000# drawbar) when they should've put on one with rated up to a class II level (3500#) OR even though the towing capacity of the truck may be 3500#, that might be the max capacity of the truck when equipped with a class II hitch. Maybe (?) the bumper is rated for less, and will only accept a ball with a 2000# rating. (?) If so, that would make the towing capacity of the truck 2000#'s, not the max with you could pull with the Class II hitch.

The towing capacity of my truck is >7000#, and that's within the capacity of the hitch when weight distribution is used. But if I put a ball on my bumper, the bumper's towing capacity would be less.

Edit... sorry just read the OP's second post... There are both Class I and II hitches taking 1 1/4" drawbars... If you really are sure that the hitch itself is rated at 3500 lbs, the prob is that someone bought a class I drawbar instead of the class II (which will be rated at 3500 lbs, and have a bigger hole to take a heavier duty 2" ball).

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Towing capacity/Ball rating?

I am far from an expert on this, but a 1" square receiver rated for 3500 pounds? Are you absolutely sure of that? It sounds awefully high for a one inch receiver.

TerryMSU

It should be a 1 1/4" and yes, that is a correct weight rating, that is a class two receiver..

The ball mount with a 1/2 hole for the ball is considered a class one ball mount and ball.

Just to add, bigger is better when towing, I always make sure my equipment is rated higher than any anticipated load I will be towing.

I have towed 1500 lbs with class one set ups, but I was not comfortable with it and upgraded real quick to be over set up for what I was towing.

The class II drawbar rated at 3500lbs will most always be a solid shank drawbar, and not the hollow draw bars we are used to, with class III equipment, I ever have some class III/IV drawbars with solid shanks that are rated at 6000lbs.

It is simply a matter of matching up the right pieces to get the maximum capacities. But remember with smaller components, you must adjust your driving accordingly...

 

[robcarync]

Re: Towing capacity/Ball rating?

I just installed the hitch on the truck and the package said 3500 pounds...I did not measure so it may be 1 1/4 instead. The draw bar was made to fit the hitch and also was rated at 3500 pounds. I guessed wrong on the square size.

Originally the ball was on the bumper just to tow a jet ski but for the boat we installed a frame hitch. The hitch/draw bar are new that I just purchased with a rating of 3500.

I purchased the ball too and saw it was good for 2000 pounds, which was good when I was just pulling a jet ski.

So I will have to look into an adapter to allow for a wider shank. Thank you.


Note: Just checked packaging...the hitch/draw bar is a class II. Now I just need to find a way to get the larger diameter shank/ball on the hitch properly.

Thanks for your help.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Towing capacity/Ball rating?

I just installed the hitch on the truck and the package said 3500 pounds...I did not measure so it may be 1 1/4 instead. The draw bar was made to fit the hitch and also was rated at 3500 pounds. I guessed wrong on the square size.

Originally the ball was on the bumper just to tow a jet ski but for the boat we installed a frame hitch. The hitch/draw bar are new that I just purchased with a rating of 3500.

I purchased the ball too and saw it was good for 2000 pounds, which was good when I was just pulling a jet ski.

So I will have to look into an adapter to allow for a wider shank. Thank you.

Actually a new ball mount/drawbar and a new ball should solve your problem, you can get one that is rated high enough with a 1 1/4 shank...no need for the adapter(but they are available)...call your local trailer shop, they should be able to set you up with the proper stuff..should cost maybe $25.00, heck if I remember right, even Wal Mart carries these parts, many of them in a package, ball mount, ball and hitch pin..

 

[robcarync]

Re: Towing capacity/Ball rating?

Awesome...Will do. Thanks for the help!

 

[robcarync]

Re: Towing capacity/Ball rating?

Sure enough the local Tractor Supply Company had the proper ball and bar set up...thanks guys!