I would like to replace my towball as it has a bit of age. My delima is, how do you know what quality you are buying. They are out there for $10 to $60. I would hope the $60 one would be better quality, or is it just a cheapy repriced? Cheers Pete
Like . https://m.ebay.com.au/itm/Off-Road-Override-Poly-Block-Trailer-Coupling-Hitch-2000kg-Caravan-Camper/190708919215?hash=item2c67232baf:g:3zgAAOSw44BYMlxd
I saw an example at our local Jayco Dealer recently, which had broken below the ball. Looked like it had not been correctly, or sufficiently tightened thus putting undue strain on the threaded bit. By the way, what are the thoughts on putting the " old nut" below the new one? The excess thread is then protected from grime and damage and would appear to make a remove much easier when necessary. cheers Craig
I had a tow ball fail on me years ago. .....I had just reached the bottom of Cunninghams Gap, over the mountain from Warwick to BNE.
The towball sheared off and van went sliding along the road . ....long story short...the Nut on ball was loose ! So it was the movement of van against the shaft and it finally gave way. These days I carry a towball spanned and regularly check that the Nut is always tight.
Thats the type of maintenance you need to do to keep a little safer. .. happy travels...
basic periodic checks you could do as an owner would be check for damage and wear on the ball itself, a lot of towballs these days have a nice shiny chrome plating on them which so long as it stays attached to the parent metal, provides a hardened wearing surface for the hitch to rotate around, regular cleaning and greasing will greatly extend the life of the assembly.
Most ball hitches have adjustable internal wear blocks, as the blocks wear they can be adjusted to reduce the amount of clearance in the hitch and the amount of noise (chucking) created as you accelerate/decelerate. Chucking is a sign that youre hitch is worn, and for adjustable types, in need of adjustment.
Checking the ball is securely fitted to the towbar tongue or hitch tongue is also critical, an incorrectly torqued ball nut might appear tight, but allow for movement of the ball in the tongue, which will over time wear the tongue and the inside diameter of the hole. So gradually the ball will become loose enough to possibly snap the stud.
So remove the ball and check for wear on the top of the tongue plate and check the fit of the balls stud in the tongue hole, it should be a close fit and there should be no wear on the hole or ball stud, if there is, replace them as soon as practical.
If you have a tow bar tongue that is removable from a receiver hitch, check for deep pitting and corrosion on the square receiver and bar (regular greasing can prevent this), also check for wear on the retainer pin and holes, if worn, consult the towbar manufacturer to determine if a replacement or repair is needed. Check also the chain lugs for wear.
Finally, if you are able, check the towbar mounting bolts are firmly fastened, whilst doing this, pay attention to any welds you can see and check for any obvious cracking. Assuming everything is ok youre set to reassemble youre hitch, purchasing a New spring washer for the ball nut would be a great idea as these can lose their tensile strength over time, an even better idea would be to purchase a grade 8 high tensile nyloc lock nut. There is no way that will ever vibrate loose.
For the gentleman who suggested fitting the old nut on the ball stud to protect the thread, there should be no issues with doing that.
That about covers my OCD checks, but after many years in mechanical maintenance in the manufacturing, its become habit, so I hope that helps someone.
When we purchased our van 3 years ago I had it fitted with a McHitch auto coupler offroad hitch. Best thing I ever did.
Fantastic hitch. No way would I ever go back to a ball again.
