Bumper Hitch Size

[97STX]

I need to get a ball hitch for the bumper of my Dad's '01 Explorer and I need to know what size I need to get. Thanks.

 

[ld50]

Depends on what your towing, it might say what size on the receiving end.

 

[Digger196]

it is a small, medium, or huge thing that you are towing?

if small- tow hitch II

if medium - tow hitch III

and it ridiculously huge - tow hitch IV

 

[Robb]

I think the thread starter might just be talking about the hole size for the bumper, just to install a ball. The size of the ball itself will depend on the trailer receiver.

Off the top of my head, I can't recall the size of the hole.

 

[udmsvt]

digger, i think he needs to know what size balls....er....ball. (J/K)

either a 2" or a 1 7/8"...if you are just putting a ball thru the bumper, you probably wont be towing anything that will require a 2" because the bumper isnt all that strong....but an interchangable ball would be a good idea. for one like that, expect to pay about 35 bucks at meijer.

as far as the diameter of the part that goes thru the hols, you will likely only find 2...get the smaller one, it'll do fine.

 

[Digger196]

1 7/8" is standard isn't it?

isn;t that what most trailer ball are?

 

[udmsvt]

...that or 2". most heavier duty stuff is 2" but realistically, what would he be pulling with a bumper hitch that would require a 2" ball?.....probably nothing. i still recommend the interchangable one though, just keep a cap on it.

 

[97STX]

Originally posted by Robb
I think the thread starter might just be talking about the hole size for the bumper, just to install a ball. The size of the ball itself will depend on the trailer receiver.

Off the top of my head, I can't recall the size of the hole.

That's exactly what I need to know. On my Ranger I needed a 3/4, but from what I've read I need a 1 7/8 or a 2"? BTW, I'm towing a 5x8 u-haul trailer and I'm towing it 1/2 way from where live and meeting my dad, then he's going to tow it the rest of the way with his explorer.

 

[udmsvt]

ok, 1 7/8" is the diameter of the ball itself (as is 2") the 3/4" that you refer to is the diameter of the bolt going thru the bumper/bar....you will find 3/4" or 1" diameter bolt with wither 1 7/8" or 2" ball. get the smaller bolt with either ball or interchangable ball.


EDIT: GET THE SMALLER OF THE DIAMETER BOLT (I THINK 3/4") AND THE 1 7/8" BALL ON IT. this is the most common setup.

 

[Crankcase]

Originally posted by udmsvt
...that or 2". most heavier duty stuff is 2" but realistically, what would he be pulling with a bumper hitch that would require a 2" ball?.....probably nothing. i still recommend the interchangable one though, just keep a cap on it.

Ha, you would be surprised the things that have a 2" ball. I have pulled (on my bumper) a large tent trailer(pictured) that was 2200lbs, and a small fiberglass travel trailer that was 1500lbs. and they both have 2" balls.

 

[stretch]

Crankcase is right. Everything I've had to tow has had a 2" ball. The heavy duty stuff uses a 2 5/8" ball. (Don't tow anything that heavy off your bumper though, use a frame mounted hitch for those bigger things.)

 

[udmsvt]

the only thing i ever towed that required a 2" ball was a u-haul wuto transport (about 2000 lbs when not loaded) and they required a frame mounted hitch before hooking it up. that of a fairly heavy duty chipper, they too required a frame hitch. i havent even seen a 2 5/8" trailer to my knowledge....but most rental util trailers are 1 7/8 so that or 2" will be fine....thats why i have an interchangable ball (that and its alot easier to carry an extra ball than a whole nother ext bar)

 

[jimbo74]

if you know that u ar going to tow a uhaul trailer, give them a ring and ask what size trailer ball will be need for their trailer....... i am pretty sure thye are universal... like uhual 1 wont have a 1-7/8" and uhual 2 and 3 have 2" -- they are prob all either one or the other...

 

[Crankcase]

The 2 5/8" balls are for Construction type trailers, hauling VERY heavy loads. In fact, the shank of that ball won't even fit through the bumper. It has the thicker bolt size......

 

[stretch]

Yeah, sorry. I should've said that you'll probably never want to tow anything needing a 2 5/8 ball with you X. Unless you don't mind possibly bending your frame.