Aluminum ball mount

[dennis103]

I'm looking at the adjustable aluminum ball mounts. I have 4 trailers 2" and 2 5/16" balls. They are all have different hitch heights. they range from 5000 pounds to 14000 pounds. The aluminum mounts look nice and are easily adjustable. Anyone have any experience with them. I'm wondering if they are rugged enough for heavy hauling. Does the aluminum wear in the receiver? Please share any information or previous experience.

 

[Raspy]

If you do a search you'll find pictures of snapped off ones. But that doesn't mean they are prone to failure. We do know though, that steel has different characteristics than aluminum. You could probably fold a steel one up under the truck without it breaking off, or a forged steel one would probably rip the hitch off before failing. I'm not sold on the aluminum ones.

I have four different trailers too. I have 2 5/16" couplers on all of them. I only need to switch a couple of stingers to accommodate them all, and a couple of them don't get used very often, so I've put a 5/8" grade 5 bolt through the receiver, with a nylock nut, as the pin. That makes it pretty hard for anyone to "borrow" the stinger and the "pin" will not fall out.

 

[Deere Dude]

My son bought a 37' motor home and pt one on. He was going into a grocery store parking lot and when the rear wheels went into a entrance low spot the rear of the motor home was supported by the hitch although not totally and the hitch was gouging into the blacktop. He brought the motor home and hitch to my hose and wanted it cut off so it wouldn't be so low and I had a heck of a time cutting it off with a 4-1/2" angle grinder with cutting disc because it was some very tough dense material. It sure wasn't as easy as I was expecting.

 

[bigtiller]

I have the Weigh Safe hitch. No complaints. It's actually a lot lighter than it looks.

Weigh Safe Trailer Drop Hitch | Award-Winning Tongue Weight Scale

 

[terryknight]

i have an andersen model rapid hitch it works great, only issue is it it rated at 1500lbs tongue, 10K trailer. i use it upto 11K or so when towing short distances. when i have to tow 10K+ longer distances i have forged ones

 

[RyeThomas]

When I got my 2013 Ram 3500 I had to upgrade to the larger 2-1/2 receiver, did not want to run the spacer they provide. I went with this big chunk of aluminum, it hangs on the truck all the time and has dragged some pretty heavy loads.
Fastway E series HD 18k capacity.

 

[dennis103]

The fastway 18000 lb and the weigh safe 180 @ 14500lbs are the 2 I am looking at. The way safe locks on and has stainless steel balls, both options I like. My largest trailer is a 14000 lb trailer. When loaded with my tractor the calculated weight is apron 13200 lbs. Would the 14500 lb weigh safe be acceptable or is it too close to hitch capacity. I wish I didn't have to over analyze everything I purchase.

 

[RyeThomas]

Why bother, get the 18k for piece of mind. Fastway has an optional ball lock you can purchase if you wish.
I can tell you hauling what I think is xxxxxLBS can often be a good deal more than what I estimated, why risk it.

 

[Fallon]

Why bother, get the 18k for piece of mind. Fastway has an optional ball lock you can purchase if you wish.
I can tell you hauling what I think is xxxxxLBS can often be a good deal more than what I estimated, why risk it.

Are you going to regret spending a couple extra bucks or the unlikely chance of something being overloaded & less likely chance of something bad happening because of it. Even if there is nothing bad to happen I like extra safety margin in my stuff.

 

[Hanshans]

Check out Bullet Proof Hitches. I have one and I'm very happy with it. It is steel powder coated and very heavy duty. Also has a lot of adjustment on it. Just me but I didn't feel comfortable pulling a heavy trailer with an aluminum hitch.

 

[tornadowatchranch]

I got the fast way at etrailer. Check the bottom of each product page. I got a scratch and dent model for like 40 off. Etrailer is super easy to deal with.

 

[Jchonline]

View attachment 582326

When I got my 2013 Ram 3500 I had to upgrade to the larger 2-1/2 receiver, did not want to run the spacer they provide. I went with this big chunk of aluminum, it hangs on the truck all the time and has dragged some pretty heavy loads.
Fastway E series HD 18k capacity.

2nd for this Fastway. This is what I have on my F250. Same 18k version. Heavy and very well made.

 

[dennis103]

Thanks for all the advise. I went with the Fastway 18000 lb for the xtra peace of mind and purchased the lock pins for it. Sometime you know the right thing to do but you just need to hear it repeated back to ya.

 

[sw99]

Mine is not aluminum but I have the Fastway SSBM HD - Rated for 20,000 and a 2K tounge rating. Fastway is making some really great products these days and you won't be disappointed.

 

[RK55guy]

i just bought a B&W hitch. i am very happy with it. it has the 2?2-5/16. also has 6 of adjustment. the only thing is it is very heavy which i take as well built and strong. cabelas is the cheapest place i found em.

 

[RandyT]

i just bought a B&W hitch. i am very happy with it. it has the 2?2-5/16. also has 6 of adjustment. the only thing is it is very heavy which i take as well built and strong. cabelas is the cheapest place i found em.

Nephew has the Reese SC weight distribution system 1500# for his trailer. and that hitch head weighs 46 pounds.

 

[Texomahog]

Flash Solid Steel HD Adjustable 2-Ball Mount - 2.5" Hitch - 10" Drop, 11" Rise - 20K sw99, is it this one. Thanks!

 

[nikerret]

I use a GenY. Thus far, it has been solid. It's heavy, but there isn't anything it can't do. I bout some of the add-ons, also. Will come back with pics, when I have more time. It's rated for 16K, in a 2" sleeve.