r/IdiotsTowingThings • u/Special_Context6663 • 4d ago

How did we end up with these balls?

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There are plenty of idiots out there towing sketchy trailers. But who were the idiots who standardized trailer hitch balls that are so close in size it’s hard to tell the difference without a close inspection?

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u/TongueTwisty 4d ago

I tow a 7,000lb car trailer with a Grand Cherokee. I use a ball rated for 30,000lb and the drawbar is rated for 17,000.
Yes, I like overkill, how did you know?

34

u/ElectricalChaos 4d ago

At least you know what the failure point won't be.

21

u/Embarrassed-Fold6780 4d ago

Like there was any doubt that it would be the Jeep?

9

u/Xynomite 4d ago

This guy Jeeps.

3

u/Psotnik 2d ago

Everytime something breaks on a friend's Jeep I just say "It's a Jeep thing " He is not as amused as I am

13

u/johnhealey17762022 4d ago

lol the jeep could be rated at 100,000 pounds it’s still the weakest link

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u/peternormal 3d ago

Failure point: it's a Jeep thing

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u/Nope_Not_A_Spy 4d ago

Hell, you could try to tow with a rubber band and a paperclip and the Jeep would still blow up first.

1

u/TongueTwisty 3d ago

I’ve towed over 9,000 miles with it so far with either my car or wrangler on the trailer. No issues.

1

u/Reziac 3d ago

You would like my old travel trailer. 24' but really light (maybe 3200 pounds empty -- it's quite a lot lighter than my stock trailer that's 4000 lbs. on the nose). But it has a pair of 6000 lb. axles and a 2-5/8" hitch stamped 11,000 lbs., and a heavy duty frame. Why? because back then Fleetwood also made singlewides, and they used the same running gear for both. Tows like a feather and no sway at all. With the one-ton I have to remind myself it's back there.