help - 2" (americal) tow ball needed

[duncan]

help - 2\" (americal) tow ball needed

A fine fellow, who many will have met at Mercury last year, has his new boat arriving in Southampton over teh next few days and it comes with it's US spec trailer.

Ignoring for the time being the issues of disc brakes and possible lighting.........he just can't seem to get hold of an American ball (was it really that long ago we switched to 50mm over here?).

Looking for something with a plate mounting to get bolted on to an Izuzu or Landcruiser.

Anyone got one lying around looking for a new home - I will be offline from Fri am 'till Sunday at the Mercury bash btw.

Thanks in advance - and I posted it here rather than wanted 'cos more MB's look in here!

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[jfm]

Re: help - 2\" (americal) tow ball needed

One of the american pickup truck specialists in Lewisham/Brixton etc must be able to help?

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[duncan]

Re: help - 2\" (americal) tow ball needed

good thought - they probably take 'em off when they import. Will try that line if no one has one lying around and happens to be in the area this wekend..............

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[Canboria]

Re: help - 2\" (americal) tow ball needed

We shipped a British boat and trailer to Long Beach (LA) last year for the ski racing world championships, it was being collect in LA by an local skier, we fitted an American tow hitch to the trailer and towed it to Southampton for the Roll on Roll off ferry with a standard UK spec tow ball, a USA hitch will fit both.

If you still want a USA spec ball try Martin at Power Products Marine in the Medway towns 01634 711267


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[tr7v8]

Re: help - 2\" (americal) tow ball needed

Dereck, be careful years ago we had a car trailer with a 2" hitch. Several times people tried to nick it and fount that the cup size woukd bounce off the hitch before they go to the end of the lane. Rewired it several times because they ripped the cable off but at least never lost it!



<hr width=100% size=1>Jim

Draco 2500

 

[DavidJ]

Re: help - 2\" (americal) tow ball needed

Could try importing from US. Maybe westmarine.com do one.

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[me2]

Re: help - 2\" (americal) tow ball needed

you will not get a 2" ball with the same fixing as a 50 mm ball if the car is newer the 98 it will not have type approval . we never used the 2 " ball about 30 years ago the was a 1" ball but never a 2" If the coupling has a nut under the handle take 2 turns on it but take care it can still come off

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[deputydawg]

Re: help - 2\" (americal) tow ball needed

I had the same problem , the american 2" hitch was just to loose on a 50mm ball , you can buy an american ball hitch but it wont fit our fittings , I got mine from an old car breakers yard he charged me a tenner!! took about 2months of stopping by any breakers i found on my travels!!, its worth taking something to measure it accuratly with as you can hardly notice a difference, the 50mm balls have a flat bit on the top the 2" ones dont!

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[TrueBlue]

Re: help - 2\" (americal) tow ball needed

I've got a 2" ball with standard (?) UK plate mounting, which you're welcome to have - would prefer to swap it for a 50mm. one though.

If you're still interested after all the helpful advice here - send me a PM for details.

I'm in the general area of Brighton

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[me2]

Re: help - 2\" (americal) tow ball needed

UK ball fixings are 90mm C/L with 18mm hole which is iso standard make sure it is 90mm and not 3 7/8" which was US standard with a 1" hole before they went to the one they use now.If the towing car is s reg and newer the law does not allow a non type approved ball to be used the US trailer will have non speed rated tyres have non legal brakes and non legal hitch even with a 2" ball

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[duncan]

Re: help - 2\" (americal) tow ball needed

ty

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