For example, the Bulldog hitch linked above has a sliding color while other trailers have a latch on top, which Brad feels is easier to operate. Some styles are easier to operate than others. The style of the coupler is going to determine how your trailer latches onto your tow vehicle’s ball. The style of coupler will be determined by the manufacturer and vary in cost, capacity, and how they actually latch onto the ball. For example, this coupler manufacturer offers multiple couplers with varying ball sizes and weight capacities ranging from 7,000 to 15,000 pounds.īumper pull trailers also have different styles of couplers including three options: A-Frame, Straight, or Adjustable. The size of the coupler should be determined by the weight being carried. All gooseneck horse trailers have the same coupler and connect to a hitch ball mounted in the back of a pick-up truck.īut with bumper pull trailers, there are many options for trailer manufacturers to use at the time of manufacturing. A Closer Look at Horse Trailer CouplersĪnother thing that will vary with your trailer type is the actual design of the trailer’s coupler. There’s a good chance you’ll need a larger ball to handle the additional weight of live animals behind you. If you’ve been hauling your boat around for years, don’t assume the same hitch and ball will work for your horse trailer.
All Double D Trailers (big or small) have a 2 5/16” coupler and ball size as it has the highest rating. Larger trailers such as flatbeds or horse trailers will have a 2” or 2 5/16” coupler depending on how it’s being used. Smaller trailer such as utility or boat trailers may have a 1 7/8” coupler/ball requirement. Common choices are going to be 1 7/8”, 2”, and 2 5/16”. A smaller trailer can get away with a smaller coupler and ball size. The position of this gooseneck hitch is important to check.įor bumper pull horse trailers, the size of the coupler is going to vary based on the weight being carried. Only in Australia do they have a 3” ball size requirement. (photo right) It seems to be pretty standard everywhere. All gooseneck trailers manufactured in the United States have a 2 5/16” ball size. The size of your trailer’s coupler is going to depend on the type of horse trailer you own. What are Typical Coupler and Ball Sizes in the United States? Any bump in the road will pop the coupler off of the smaller ball. The coupler is like a claw and it cannot get a good grip on the outside of a ball that is too small. This would only happen if the trailer was severely overloaded beyond the maximum stated capacity.įor example, if your trailer has a larger 2 5/16” coupler and your tow vehicle only has a 1 7/8” or 2” ball, there is a serious risk of disconnect during travel. If the hitch ball size is correct and the coupler is properly connected, it’s impossible for the two to become disconnected unless the coupler actually breaks. Usually, they just have the wrong ball size or did not secure the coupler correctly.” Often, they claim they have a defective coupler. “I’ve had more than one customer contact me over the years to tell me their trailer came off the ball before it left their driveway. Why is the Proper Hitch Ball Size Important?īrad Heath, owner of Double D Trailers, says that it’s not uncommon for people to use the wrong size ball when towing. If the two parts are not a good size match, they will not make a secure connection. The coupler is like a steel glove that fits around the ball to hold the trailer and the tow vehicle together.
The ball and the coupler are the two parts we’ll focus on today. Again, the coupler can vary in size depending on the size of the trailer. Then, your horse trailer has a coupler, safety chains/cables, a wiring harness, and an emergency breakaway system. This round ball can vary in size from 1 7/8” up to 2 5/16” in diameter.
The hitch on the back of your tow vehicle has three main parts: receiver, ball mount, and the ball. It helps if you are familiar with the basic parts connecting your tow vehicle and horse trailer. Check out the weight and tongue weight of your horse trailer and compare that to your tow vehicle’s towing capacity and the tongue weight capacity on your hitch. The very first step is for you to take a critical look at your tow vehicle to make sure it is well matched to your horse trailer. Hitching a Horse Trailer 101īefore we get into the nitty gritty of ball sizes, let’s review the basics of hitching a horse trailer. Here is a quick guide to everything you should know about choosing the right hitch ball size for your horse trailer. If the ball is too small for your trailer’s coupler, it is possible for your trailer to pop off the hitch at the first bump in the road. One of the main variables that people often forget is the size of the hitch ball on their tow vehicle’s hitch. A trailer that isn’t hitched up correctly can spell disaster on the road.