Hitch ball question

24266 Views 17 Replies 10 Participants Last post by Eric the red, Oct 12, 2020

Hoosier

Discussion Starter · Apr 15, 2017

Will this ball simply screw into my 2017 Rancher (that I pick up next week) or will I need to bolt it through?

https://www.amazon.com/CURT-40004-D...TF8&qid=1492262722&sr=8-3&keywords=hitch+ball

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

Goober

· #2 · Apr 15, 2017 (Edited)

Your hitch carrier most likely has a hole just like any other and is not threaded.
However it might be a different diameter in other words I'm not sure you can put this hitch ball on it. Someone with a 2017 can say for sure

Hoosier

Discussion Starter · #3 · Apr 15, 2017

Thanks Goober.

That is what my memory is, that it's just a hole.

I think a 2" dia. ball is standard.

Goober

· #4 · Apr 15, 2017

Yup 2" is standard but some older ATVs were outfitted with 1.x inches. I have three atv/tub trailers with the 1.5? 1.7/8?. However I use a trailer with 2" ball for transport and then tow the trailer around after I get where I'm going

Wsg

· #5 · Apr 15, 2017

No that is a 1" shank ball you want the smaller 3/4 shank ball. But measure your hole first.

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mrbb

· #6 · Apr 15, 2017

OK first off the ball size has NOTHING to do with what receiver it fits on
it will all come down to what size hole you have in your receiver, for the shank of the BALL to fit thru, you want as tight a fit on shank to receiver hole as possible.

I have honestly NO clue what the hole size is on a 2017 honda receiver, but I am darn sure your DEALER can answer this question with a phone call

IF he says it has a 3/4 inch hole in it, then buy a 2 inch ball with a 3/4 inch shank!

NOW The next question and one you MAY wish to THINK about is LENGTH of the shank itself, as you do NOT need one that is hanging down too low, it will just get beat up, booger the treads up making getting it off down the road a royal pain, and it will drag on things
. BOTH shank size and length are OPTIONS On balls when you buy them, as are weight ratings of the balls and material the ball itself is made out of
some will rust WAY faster than others.

SO< when you CALL the dealer to as HOW BIG the hole is in the receiver, also ask HOW thick the receiver is, and then you will know what size shank you need in bother Dia. and length!
Ball material, is your choice as well, harden steel, chrome plated, stainless steel and the likes??

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Buzz Waxwing

· #7 · Apr 16, 2017

I think the 1" shank will be too large but that remains to be seen. I would suggest this type that bolts into the ball rather than the ball having a shank it helps with not having the shank sticking out the bottom where it may catch on things not a huge deal but if you can find one they work well.

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mac102004

· #8 · Apr 16, 2017

Pretty sure the hole is 3/4"

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mrbb

· #9 · Apr 16, 2017

Buzz Waxwing said:
I think the 1" shank will be too large but that remains to be seen. I would suggest this type that bolts into the ball rather than the ball having a shank it helps with not having the shank sticking out the bottom where it may catch on things not a huge deal but if you can find one they work well.

I am not 100% but I think they pretty much did away with these balls, due to the ball gets the load and that can result in them un screwing as loads ride and you travel!(being a round ball, rather hard to hold to get a bunch of torque on then too, , more modern one's have a flat sided base to allow some grabbing, but they still I think are no longer sold for again being known to come loose while towing)

and you still have the head of the bolt on the bottom of things, a NUT from a proper length shank , will sit about flush like on the end of the treads, OR you can always cut to have it flush with nut too, and there more proven to NOT come unloose , when installed right(locking nut and torqued down) as the ball then is NOT as likely to SPIN thru time, as the one here
NOT bashing, just saying!

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Menard_LaPue

· #10 · Apr 16, 2017

As an option, put on one of these hitch adapters from Harbor Freight, for $12:

ATV Hitch Adapter

It bolts onto my 2016 model, IF you unbolt the piece on your quad (2 bolts) and turn it upside down, which then prevents side-to-side motion of the hitch while towing. Somebody else on this site came up with the idea first, and it works great and gives a quick bolt on solution for any 2" receiver hitch.

mrbb

· #11 · Apr 16, 2017

you can also add something like this, which will also get the ball UP higher to keep more trailers more level and less tongue weight on the atv, plus you can use trailers that have the pin hole or other things, or can even tow ?? things with it, add a D ring clevis or??

I have one similar to this for many yrs, NOT a weld on ball like this one is, but another option for those that have interest??

ATV TEK Trio HD Multipurpose Hitch with Ball Mount : Cabela's

mine is like this one

https://www.denniskirk.com/513214.sku?ad=11620160422

Hoosier

Discussion Starter · #12 · Apr 18, 2017

The hole is only 1/2".

mac102004

· #13 · Apr 18, 2017

Hoosier said:
The hole is only 1/2".

There is no way it's 1/2" I don't think you can even buy a ball with a 1/2" shank lol. I will check mine today for $h!ts and giggles.

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Hoosier

Discussion Starter · #14 · Apr 18, 2017

Yes, it is 3/4". They put my hitch together slighly crooked. I need to loosen the screws to get the 3/4" shank to go in.

mac102004

· #15 · Apr 19, 2017

10-4. I totally forgot to check mine anyway lol.

reddogge

· #16 · Apr 25, 2017

mrbb said:
you can also add something like this, which will also get the ball UP higher to keep more trailers more level and less tongue weight on the atv, plus you can use trailers that have the pin hole or other things, or can even tow ?? things with it, add a D ring clevis or??

I have one similar to this for many yrs, NOT a weld on ball like this one is, but another option for those that have interest??

ATV TEK Trio HD Multipurpose Hitch with Ball Mount : Cabela's

mine is like this one

https://www.denniskirk.com/513214.sku?ad=11620160422

Did yours ever torque when backing up a heavy load? I have to do that frequently at the archery club.

Leelee0404

· #17 · Oct 12, 2020

I bought a used rancher Recently, and it has a ball hitch on it already. I’m wanting To buy a pull behind cart, but all the carts have a different hitch with the pen instead of the ball. Do any of you all know where to buy one with the ball

Eric the red

· #18 · Oct 12, 2020

Take the ball out of your hitch and your good to go.

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