Bought a trailer today

[Skyco]

Second picture is a closeup of how the hitch mounts to the trailer. Never seen one like that. Looks like it was designed to be swapped or adjusted for height without too much trouble

The channel mount is common, but I've never seen one with 3 cross bolts, the standard is 2. Looks fabricated otherwise it is a simple matter to buy whatever size coupler you wanted...

Adjustable Couplers - Trailer Couplers - Trailer Parts On-Line Store | Nuera Transport


The frame definitely doesen't look heavy enough to be a 10k trailer, IMO.

 

[Skyco]

Your 2 inch ball will be good enough if it has an 1&1/4 thick shaft. That is rated for 8000 pounds. A 1 inch shaft is rated at 5000 pounds.

Not necessarily. There are 1" shaft ones rated to 10,000 lbs....

2" - Trailer Hitch Balls - Trailer Parts On-Line Store | Nuera Transport

 

[56FordGuy]

Nice trailer. Very nice truck.:thumbsup:

How hard would it be to just put new safety chains on that could have a big enough hook to hook right to the shackles instead of running through and then hooking back on the chain? That looks like a nice coupler, heavy duty and easy to adjust. Having both axels brake is nice. I prefer the 2 & 5/16" balls for any tandem axel trailer so that would be a plus for me but I don't know what size ball your other trailers use.

Ed

If I can find hooks that will fit the chains with a large enough opening to fit over the shackles, that's what I plan to do. The chains are attached to the trailer by a metal pin that runs through the last link of the chain and is welded to the trailer frame. Replacing the chains would require cutting them off, then reattaching with a link shackle or similar. I'd like to avoid that if I can, so I have to shop for some hooks. My only other bumper pull trailer is a home made 6x10, and who ever built it put on a 1 7/8" coupler. That trailer needs some serious work, right now I won't tow it on a public road. When I get around to repairing the trailer, I want to replace the coupler with a 2" most likely, because that seems to be what most single axle trailers use. Why do you prefer the 2 5/16 ball? Aside from weight capacity, are there any other differences in size? Just for the record, I'm towing the trailer with the correct 2 5/16 hitch ball on a solid drawbar and don't feel a need to change it.

 

[bigtiller]

Not necessarily. There are 1" shaft ones rated to 10,000 lbs....

2" - Trailer Hitch Balls - Trailer Parts On-Line Store | Nuera Transport

Thanks, I did not know that, never seen one. :thumbsup:

 

[Rancher Ed]

Why do you prefer the 2 5/16 ball? Aside from weight capacity, are there any other differences in size?

I am not really sure. It seems all 10k or larger trailers have that size and it is just nice for all the trailers to have the same size ball. I guess it is just a personal thing. I don't know of any differences other than the weight capacity.

Where you are going to have another trailer with a 2" ball, it might make sence to change this one over to a 2" coupler and just keep the 2-5/16" one on hand so if you ever want to sell it you would have both sizes.

Ed