I intend to buy a 26X this year, I need to know what is the size of the hitch ball required, and what is the estimated weight on it? Thanks!
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Pierre, My stock 26x trailer has a 2" hitch. Apparently Macgregor thinks this is appropriate. These run light on the hitch weight, depending on the position of the boaat. Mine is about 100 lbs. Mac's are famous for moving back on the trailer as they are pulled out of the water. This moves the center of gravity even farther back, and makes the hitch weight even lighter. Most vehicles with a 2" hitch ball will handle it OK. Always attach twin safety chains, just in case. Another thing, the stock trailers have surge brakes. Mine are very effective. When the car stops, the trailer stops too. Hills can be a problem if you have a smaller engine. Watch the engine temperature and downshift early for big hills. Don't let the engine lug in a high gear. Good luck!
Pierre, My stock 26x trailer has a 2" hitch. Apparently Macgregor thinks this is appropriate. These run light on the hitch weight, depending on the position of the boaat. Mine is about 100 lbs. Mac's are famous for moving back on the trailer as they are pulled out of the water. This moves the center of gravity even farther back, and makes the hitch weight even lighter. Most vehicles with a 2" hitch ball will handle it OK. Always attach twin safety chains, just in case. Another thing, the stock trailers have surge brakes. Mine are very effective. When the car stops, the trailer stops too. Hills can be a problem if you have a smaller engine. Watch the engine temperature and downshift early for big hills. Don't let the engine lug in a high gear. Good luck!
Don't weld
I would never weld the ball on. I tow other trailers, some with other sizes of balls. You never know when you may need to change. Just get a big wrench and get it as tight as you can. Most balls have cotter pins. Be sure yours is in and bent on. Also, I got a convertible ball at U-Haul. It lets me switch sizes easily. You take a pin out of the center of the ball, put the new one on, replace the pin, and hook up. Takes a minute or so.
I would never weld the ball on. I tow other trailers, some with other sizes of balls. You never know when you may need to change. Just get a big wrench and get it as tight as you can. Most balls have cotter pins. Be sure yours is in and bent on. Also, I got a convertible ball at U-Haul. It lets me switch sizes easily. You take a pin out of the center of the ball, put the new one on, replace the pin, and hook up. Takes a minute or so.
towing takes balls
I wouldn't weld mine either for the same reason as mentioned - different trailers, rental machinery etc sometimes take different size balls. I guess I could dedicate one receiver hitch to the boat and weld it but I haven't had problems so far with the lockwasher loosening. Are the tri-balls just "spot welded" to the hitch? I like the integral shaft of the bolt-on variety.
I wouldn't weld mine either for the same reason as mentioned - different trailers, rental machinery etc sometimes take different size balls. I guess I could dedicate one receiver hitch to the boat and weld it but I haven't had problems so far with the lockwasher loosening. Are the tri-balls just "spot welded" to the hitch? I like the integral shaft of the bolt-on variety.
rerply to "towing takes balls "
Justin, the balls on the tri hitch are welded all the way around, and appear to be very much married to a 2 inch square solid metal post.. I would have no worries about using it ever ,and I have to back my Macgregor up hill to get it into position in my back yard, the elongated "V" shape on the transom end of the trailer digs into my grass as the incline right "off the road" is a bit much so we have plenty of strain on everything and nothing has ever parted at any of the full welds .. An important thing to watch no matter what you use for a ball arrangement is the safety chains and the connections of them to your vehicle in the event something ever did let go. I have strand wound alloy cable which bolts to the Jeep . No quickie "S" hooks or anything like that...I bought my tri ball from a truck and trailer place . the best thing to do would be take a look at one yourself and see what you think. My experience has been great but you personaly would have to be happy with its construction or you will never sleep the night before you are towing. I drive very short distances with the sailboat as I live 1 mile from a boat launch a 3 miles from another..I have driven all over the state with my 1963 Larson/Glasspar run about , over bumps and wicked hills in the road and one time flew down old back roads to make the Motor Vehicle Dept. before it closed some 50 miles away and we flew home just as wild and fast and the tri ball for the 1 7/8 still looks brand new......SMITROE
Justin, the balls on the tri hitch are welded all the way around, and appear to be very much married to a 2 inch square solid metal post.. I would have no worries about using it ever ,and I have to back my Macgregor up hill to get it into position in my back yard, the elongated "V" shape on the transom end of the trailer digs into my grass as the incline right "off the road" is a bit much so we have plenty of strain on everything and nothing has ever parted at any of the full welds .. An important thing to watch no matter what you use for a ball arrangement is the safety chains and the connections of them to your vehicle in the event something ever did let go. I have strand wound alloy cable which bolts to the Jeep . No quickie "S" hooks or anything like that...I bought my tri ball from a truck and trailer place . the best thing to do would be take a look at one yourself and see what you think. My experience has been great but you personaly would have to be happy with its construction or you will never sleep the night before you are towing. I drive very short distances with the sailboat as I live 1 mile from a boat launch a 3 miles from another..I have driven all over the state with my 1963 Larson/Glasspar run about , over bumps and wicked hills in the road and one time flew down old back roads to make the Motor Vehicle Dept. before it closed some 50 miles away and we flew home just as wild and fast and the tri ball for the 1 7/8 still looks brand new......SMITROE
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