Ball Mounts

Ball Mounts

Want to tow an ATV or boat off on a weekend excursion? Or are you planning to haul a camper on an extended getaway? Having the right ball mount for your vehicle’s hitch receiver and trailer’s hitch ball is crucial, no matter what Life Out Here has on the agenda. After all, it’s a secure, level connection between these components – you couldn’t transport anything without a reliable one. Before you head out, pick one up at Tractor Supply, where you can find the right ball mount for your vehicle.

Key Components for Towing Effectively

A ball mount has a shank that inserts into the receiver on an SUV or truck, plus a platform where the ball on the trailer is mounted. Many incorporate safety features to complete the connection, such as hitch pins, hitch locks or chains. Depending on whether you’re running light or hauling something heavy-duty, you can get them compatible with different receiver sizes and various weight capacity classes.

They also come in several configurations, including:

• Fixed ball mounts with a set drop or rise (the difference between coupler and hitch height, usually measured in inches)
• Adjustable ball mounts, which can be raised or lowered to help keep trailers of different types level
• Multi-ball mounts to accommodate different trailer couplers and ball sizes
• Specialty ball mounts compatible with specific trailer types or ideal for heavy-duty towing jobs

FAQs About the Trailer Ball Mounts We Offer

What do I need to consider before buying a ball mount for my trailer?

First, know the size of your coupler. You can find it in your trailer's specs, although some couplers have compatible ball sizes stamped on them. You’ll also need to determine the size of your vehicle's hitch receiver; it’ll tell you what shank size the ball needs to have. To figure it out, measure the inside of the receiver tube.

Next, find out the ball’s required rise or drop by measuring the height difference between the hitch on your vehicle and the coupler on the trailer. Additionally, verify the gross weight of your trailer, or GTW (including its tongue weight, or TW), plus your vehicle's towing capacity. The ball should be rated to support the sum total.

What are the different classes of ball mounts?

Options include Class I, II, III, IV and V, and ratings span the gamut between several thousand pounds and 30,000 pounds or more. Here is a breakdown of each class:

• A Class I rating means that a mount can support up to 2,000 pounds GTW and 200 pounds TW, making it ideal for use with small utility trailers and light watercraft such as canoes and kayaks.
• Class II mounts can handle up to 3,500 pounds GTW and 350 pounds TW, meaning many smaller campers.
• Class III mounts, which are rated for up to 5,000 pounds GTW and 500 pounds TW, can hold most medium-duty trailers and pop-up campers.
• Choose a Class IV mount with 10,000 pounds GTW and 1,000 pounds TW ratings to transport larger trailers, including horse trailers.
• A mount with a Class V rating of more than 10,000 pounds GTW is recommended for a heavy-duty truck towing an equipment trailer.

Find the Right Ball Mount for Your Towing Needs at Tractor Supply

Whether you need to hook up an enclosed trailer to haul tools to a construction site, or a utility trailer to lug landscaping equipment and materials between contractors, our inventory has a solution. Shop at your local Tractor Supply store or place an order on our website today.