I have a 1989 stock trailer. It has the smaller then standard ball; 2" I believe. In the past, I just hauled a mini and his cart, but I have now upgraded to a fullsize horse so am carrying a bit more weight. Can someone tell me if there is any concern about the smaller ball/hitch? I am going to have the trailer checked over, bearings and brakes etc for the start of the new riding season, but I am curious about this. thanks
Posted 2008-01-25 10:14 PM (#75304 - in reply to #75300) Subject: RE: older stock trailer
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Arkansas
Is it a gooseneck, if so that would commonly be a 2 & 5/16 ball. A bumper pull horse trailer ordinarily would be a 2" ball. A 1 & 7/8 would be for something smaller, like a boat or ATV trailer.
Posted 2008-01-26 8:11 AM (#75309 - in reply to #75300) Subject: RE: older stock trailer
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
You should not have any problems with a two inch ball on a smaller bumper pull trailer. Make sure that the ball and stud on your hitch is of a good quality and repair. If you have an older one, I would purchase a new one. It's not expensive and good insurance. The newer BP trailers have a 2 5/16", which is a universal size now.
I've pulled some heavy loads with a two inch hitch (several tons) and never had any problems. When you have your trailer serviced, have the hitch particularly inspected and lubed. You should be good to go.
Posted 2008-01-26 9:58 AM (#75312 - in reply to #75300) Subject: RE: older stock trailer
Expert
Posts: 1416 Location: sc
Originally written by Sheryl63 on 2008-01-25 9:42 PM
I have a 1989 stock trailer. It has the smaller then standard ball; 2" I believe. In the past, I just hauled a mini and his cart, but I have now upgraded to a fullsize horse so am carrying a bit more weight. Can someone tell me if there is any concern about the smaller ball/hitch? I am going to have the trailer checked over, bearings and brakes etc for the start of the new riding season, but I am curious about this. thanks
"Size doesnt matter", in this case the ratings are what you need to know. Should be stamped on both the ball and ballmount.
The common "hollow" ballmount with 1" shank (2" ball size), found at wal-mart for $20, is typically rated for 500# tongue, 5000# trailer. A typical heavy duty solid ballmount with a 1 1/4" shank (2 5/16" ball size) are rated 1200# tongue, 12,000# trailer.
Posted 2008-01-26 11:37 AM (#75320 - in reply to #75300) Subject: RE: older stock trailer
Member
Posts: 28
Thanks for your help. It is a bumper pull, it is a Logan which is a decent brand and while the trailer has some surface rust, it is not rust cancered or anything. I will have the inspector take a look at it as suggested, just to be sure. The trailer is supposed to weight about 2200 pounds empty and with my one good sized quarter horse it is still not that heavy. When you look at the all the numbers on the trailer, it is supposed to be rated to carry quite a bit more (I don't recall off hand). I was just wondering if there was a safety reason that the industry modernized to the new standard larger size and if it should be changed out/replaced. Sounds like that isn't necessary - thanks!
Posted 2008-01-26 12:27 PM (#75324 - in reply to #75300) Subject: RE: older stock trailer
Veteran
Posts: 142 Location: KY
The industry has changed because the trailers such as your's have a gross weight of 7000lbs and while the 2in bulldog coupler that your trailer probably has on it is rated 7000lb most 2in balls consumers purchase are rated 5,000lb you have to purchase one with a 1 1/4" shank and a solid bar ball mount to match your hitch to your trailers 7000lb gvw. The common 2 5/16" ball carried by most retailers is 7,500 lb you still need a solid ball mount, but they have insured that you at least buy a ball rated to handle the trailer. It is always wise to make sure your ball, ball mount, and hitch are rated to handle the gvw of your trailer because if you were to get in a wreck and the ball were to break or the ball mount and the trailer came off your vehicle whether it caused the wreck or not and no matter if it did any damage or not you are likely to be held liable because your equipment was not legal. My worry is always having someone sue me if I had equipment too light for my trailer and got in an accident. That's just something to keep in mind of course I may be just being too cautious.
Posted 2008-01-26 6:25 PM (#75339 - in reply to #75324) Subject: RE: older stock trailer
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Posts: 1416 Location: sc
Originally written by dixie on 2008-01-26 1:27 PM
The industry has changed because the trailers such as your's have a gross weight of 7000lbs and while the 2in bulldog coupler that your trailer probably has on it is rated 7000lb most 2in balls consumers purchase are rated 5,000lb you have to purchase one with a 1 1/4" shank and a solid bar ball mount to match your hitch to your trailers 7000lb gvw. The common 2 5/16" ball carried by most retailers is 7,500 lb you still need a solid ball mount, but they have insured that you at least buy a ball rated to handle the trailer. It is always wise to make sure your ball, ball mount, and hitch are rated to handle the gvw of your trailer because if you were to get in a wreck and the ball were to break or the ball mount and the trailer came off your vehicle whether it caused the wreck or not and no matter if it did any damage or not you are likely to be held liable because your equipment was not legal. My worry is always having someone sue me if I had equipment too light for my trailer and got in an accident. That's just something to keep in mind of course I may be just being too cautious.
Sounds a bit fishy to me. I doubt you have to match the max ratings to be legal, looks like youre "just being too cautious" to me.
Posted 2008-01-28 11:21 AM (#75439 - in reply to #75300) Subject: RE: older stock trailer
Veteran
Posts: 142 Location: KY
Nothing fishy about it that is the info given to me by the KY D.O.T. what I was being cautious about was the accident situation. Will a cop ever check your hitch probably not. But I always pass this info on to my cusomters so they are at least informed of what is legal. And they can go from there with it.
Posted 2008-01-28 11:29 AM (#75440 - in reply to #75300) Subject: RE: older stock trailer
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
You can't go wrong if you purchase the higher rated equipment. What price can anyone put on safety? There should never be a value when the heath and welfare of your family is considered.
Posted 2008-01-28 2:51 PM (#75454 - in reply to #75324) Subject: RE: older stock trailer
Expert
Posts: 1416 Location: sc
Originally written by dixie on 2008-01-26 1:27 PM
The industry has changed because the trailers such as your's have a gross weight of 7000lbs and while the 2in bulldog coupler that your trailer probably has on it is rated 7000lb most 2in balls consumers purchase are rated 5,000lb you have to purchase one with a 1 1/4" shank and a solid bar ball mount to match your hitch to your trailers 7000lb gvw. The common 2 5/16" ball carried by most retailers is 7,500 lb you still need a solid ball mount, but they have insured that you at least buy a ball rated to handle the trailer. It is always wise to make sure your ball, ball mount, and hitch are rated to handle the gvw of your trailer because if you were to get in a wreck and the ball were to break or the ball mount and the trailer came off your vehicle whether it caused the wreck or not and no matter if it did any damage or not you are likely to be held liable because your equipment was not legal. My worry is always having someone sue me if I had equipment too light for my trailer and got in an accident. That's just something to keep in mind of course I may be just being too cautious.
Never mind, I see where you contradicted yourself.
Posted 2008-01-28 3:00 PM (#75455 - in reply to #75440) Subject: RE: older stock trailer
Expert
Posts: 1416 Location: sc
Originally written by gard on 2008-01-28 12:29 PM
You can't go wrong if you purchase the higher rated equipment. What price can anyone put on safety? There should never be a value when the heath and welfare of your family is considered.
EVERTHING has its price........probably not the $50 in question here though.
As Ive said before, I find it amusing when "we" horsefolk start talking about safety anyway. Take a 1000# animal with a brain the size of a baseball, stick a 1/2" piece of steel in its mouth, then hop on its back........yeah thats really safe.
older stock trailer
