Trailer Hitch Ball Mount Storage Idea
- Retired BLM Rig
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- Model Year: 2008
- Location: State of Jefferson
Trailer Hitch Ball Mount Storage Idea
I don't know if this will work on the newer trucks but it worked on my 08.
I like to carry my trailer hitch ball mount with me but I don't like bashing my shin on it every time I walk around the back of my truck. I also don't want it floating around in the cab or bed of my truck and it takes up too much valuable toolbox space that could be used for other gear.
I saw this picture for a "Stor-A-Hitch" on the internet and it got me thinking.
I started thinking about the possibility of storing it under the truck somewhere so it would be completely out of the way but easy to access.
After spending way too much time thinking and looking, this is what I came up with.
My truck has a 2" receiver, so I went to Walmart and bought a Reese 2-1/2" to 2" reducer sleeve (#7028711) for $11.48
Then I installed it here on my factory receiver.
I had to beat it into place with a dead blow hammer. That sucker is in there so tight, it ain't never coming out without a blue tip wrench. It's not loose and it doesn't rattle.
Next I had to drill thru the entire assembly including my ball mount so everything would line up. I decided to drill it the same size as the hole that was already in the receiver, but I probably could have gone with a smaller 1/4" hole.
I purchased a Master Lock keyed alike trailer pin set and I put a piece of clear plastic hose over the small pin to stop any rattling and compensate for the difference in size.
It droops a tiny bit, but it's out of my way and easy to get to. The average person won't even notice that it's under there and I don't think it will hinder my departure angle.
I don't think this has weakened my hitch system any because there was already a hole in the factory receiver and the hole I drilled in the ball mount is behind the standard pin hole and on a different plane. So far I'm happy with it!
I like to carry my trailer hitch ball mount with me but I don't like bashing my shin on it every time I walk around the back of my truck. I also don't want it floating around in the cab or bed of my truck and it takes up too much valuable toolbox space that could be used for other gear.
I saw this picture for a "Stor-A-Hitch" on the internet and it got me thinking.
I started thinking about the possibility of storing it under the truck somewhere so it would be completely out of the way but easy to access.
After spending way too much time thinking and looking, this is what I came up with.
My truck has a 2" receiver, so I went to Walmart and bought a Reese 2-1/2" to 2" reducer sleeve (#7028711) for $11.48
Then I installed it here on my factory receiver.
I had to beat it into place with a dead blow hammer. That sucker is in there so tight, it ain't never coming out without a blue tip wrench. It's not loose and it doesn't rattle.
Next I had to drill thru the entire assembly including my ball mount so everything would line up. I decided to drill it the same size as the hole that was already in the receiver, but I probably could have gone with a smaller 1/4" hole.
I purchased a Master Lock keyed alike trailer pin set and I put a piece of clear plastic hose over the small pin to stop any rattling and compensate for the difference in size.
It droops a tiny bit, but it's out of my way and easy to get to. The average person won't even notice that it's under there and I don't think it will hinder my departure angle.
I don't think this has weakened my hitch system any because there was already a hole in the factory receiver and the hole I drilled in the ball mount is behind the standard pin hole and on a different plane. So far I'm happy with it!
2008 Quad Cab - Stock RTI = 655, curb weight = 6081 lbs. Abel Components Plug & Play Locker Bypass®, Abel Components Full SmartBar Bypass®, Abel Components Nanny Kill Switch®, 2000 Watt ProMariner TruePower Plus Pure Sine Wave Inverter, Trailer Hitch Storage, MOLLE Door Panels, Wilton Hitch Vice, Locking Under Seat Storage Drawer, Smittybilt 2781 Air Compressor, 14K PullPal, Hi-Lift First Responder Jack, 25' Jumper Cable System, Slip Yoke Eliminator in a Can, Evolution vs. God, Share the Umbrella, Make sure you're right with God before you meet him!
- olyelr
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Re: Trailer Hitch Ball Mount Storage Idea
Now thats thinkin lincoln, good job!
2016 Ram Power Wagon Laramie - Granite Crystal Metallic - Ramboxes - 35” AT3W - TazerRAM
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Re: Trailer Hitch Ball Mount Storage Idea
Nice idea.
PWOC #53
2008 POWER WAGON RC
My build thread. http://forum.powerwagonregistry.org/vie ... =13&t=2826
Moab '09, '10, '12, '14, '20, '22
Rausch Creek - Summer '10, Spring-Fall '11, Spring '12, Summer '13, Summer '14, Summer '15, Summer '16, Summer '17, Summer '18, Summer '20, Summer '22, Summer '23, Summer '24,
AOAA Summer '19.
Russ
NRA - Benefactor, Golden Eagle.
2008 POWER WAGON RC
My build thread. http://forum.powerwagonregistry.org/vie ... =13&t=2826
Moab '09, '10, '12, '14, '20, '22
Rausch Creek - Summer '10, Spring-Fall '11, Spring '12, Summer '13, Summer '14, Summer '15, Summer '16, Summer '17, Summer '18, Summer '20, Summer '22, Summer '23, Summer '24,
AOAA Summer '19.
Russ
NRA - Benefactor, Golden Eagle.
Re: Trailer Hitch Ball Mount Storage Idea
RustyPW wrote:Nice idea.
^^^^^^^What he said !!!^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Re: Trailer Hitch Ball Mount Storage Idea
Thats a cool idea, since my trucks have drop hitches i just always turned them upside down and stuck them in the back with a new hole.
If you flip the bottle outta the cupholder its gonna be a good story!
Re: Trailer Hitch Ball Mount Storage Idea
Thats a good idea just to have two drop hitches, one with 2" and the other with 2-5/16". The truck is too tall to use a three ball correctly, my drop with the 2-5/16" stays on there but every now and then I need the 2" for the trailers at work. If it were up to me, there would only be 2-5/16" allowed. haha
2010 with 37" hooves, controlled by numerous Thuren parts and Thuren Custom King 2.5's (Moved to a new home)
viewtopic.php?f=13&t=2333
I only do what the majority of the 4 voices in my head tell me to. In most cases, I ignore two of them because one doesn't speak English, and I suspect the other is talking to someone else.
viewtopic.php?f=13&t=2333
I only do what the majority of the 4 voices in my head tell me to. In most cases, I ignore two of them because one doesn't speak English, and I suspect the other is talking to someone else.
- Retired BLM Rig
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- Joined: Sun Jan 31, 2016 6:51 pm
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Re: Trailer Hitch Ball Mount Storage Idea
I use a "Convert-A-Ball" for quick easy changes with only one mount. It has a 10,000 lb. GTW rating.
In my youth, driving tow truck, this is what we used to be able to move any trailer at a moments notice.
In my youth, driving tow truck, this is what we used to be able to move any trailer at a moments notice.
2008 Quad Cab - Stock RTI = 655, curb weight = 6081 lbs. Abel Components Plug & Play Locker Bypass®, Abel Components Full SmartBar Bypass®, Abel Components Nanny Kill Switch®, 2000 Watt ProMariner TruePower Plus Pure Sine Wave Inverter, Trailer Hitch Storage, MOLLE Door Panels, Wilton Hitch Vice, Locking Under Seat Storage Drawer, Smittybilt 2781 Air Compressor, 14K PullPal, Hi-Lift First Responder Jack, 25' Jumper Cable System, Slip Yoke Eliminator in a Can, Evolution vs. God, Share the Umbrella, Make sure you're right with God before you meet him!
- Stickman
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Re: Trailer Hitch Ball Mount Storage Idea
2" and 2 5/16", costly, but very nice to have
Live To Ride, Ride To Live
2012 Ram Power Wagon - Check out my build thread to see my mods! http://forum.powerwagonregistry.org/vie ... =13&t=2187
2012 Ram Power Wagon - Check out my build thread to see my mods! http://forum.powerwagonregistry.org/vie ... =13&t=2187
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Re: Trailer Hitch Ball Mount Storage Idea
I have one similar to this but it was only $80 or so. They have fancy stainless ones that are over $300! I would love to do this type of a mod but it would be rusted in place the first year it would be up there with all the salt on the roads.Stickman wrote:2" and 2 5/16", costly, but very nice to have
- Retired BLM Rig
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- Joined: Sun Jan 31, 2016 6:51 pm
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Re: Trailer Hitch Ball Mount Storage Idea
Road salt... good point.
2008 Quad Cab - Stock RTI = 655, curb weight = 6081 lbs. Abel Components Plug & Play Locker Bypass®, Abel Components Full SmartBar Bypass®, Abel Components Nanny Kill Switch®, 2000 Watt ProMariner TruePower Plus Pure Sine Wave Inverter, Trailer Hitch Storage, MOLLE Door Panels, Wilton Hitch Vice, Locking Under Seat Storage Drawer, Smittybilt 2781 Air Compressor, 14K PullPal, Hi-Lift First Responder Jack, 25' Jumper Cable System, Slip Yoke Eliminator in a Can, Evolution vs. God, Share the Umbrella, Make sure you're right with God before you meet him!
- Bill2014
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Re: Trailer Hitch Ball Mount Storage Idea
I used one of these on my mini van years ago. After the first two years, the rubber seals must have gotten sliced and it would take a few minutes to switch the balls. I swap tongues in about 10 seconds. And the convert-a-ball isn't rated high enough for my PowerWagon and trailer.Retired BLM Rig wrote:I use a "Convert-A-Ball" for quick easy changes with only one mount. It has a 10,000 lb. GTW rating.
In my youth, driving tow truck, this is what we used to be able to move any trailer at a moments notice.
2014 Power Wagon Laramie
Titan V5 2.5" Receiver Pintle Hook
Warn wireless winch controller
.188" DOM White Knuckle Rock Sliders
Locker Bypass & Nanny Kill Switch
Moab 2006
Titan V5 2.5" Receiver Pintle Hook
Warn wireless winch controller
.188" DOM White Knuckle Rock Sliders
Locker Bypass & Nanny Kill Switch
Moab 2006
Re: Trailer Hitch Ball Mount Storage Idea
Swapping tounges is easier than swapping balls eh?
Central Texas and Houston area
2009 5.7 auto quadcab
Carli 3” coils deaver leafs 3” kings with 4 tube bypass rear and fr/rr hydro bumps
Howe steering pump and gear with hydraulic ram assist
Custom tube bumpers and white knuckle sliders
Creative fab trussed axle. rem polished and cryoed 5.13 gears with arb lockers fr/rr
Sharadon stage 2 545rfe with 3000 stall edge converter
Lots of other stuff lol
2009 5.7 auto quadcab
Carli 3” coils deaver leafs 3” kings with 4 tube bypass rear and fr/rr hydro bumps
Howe steering pump and gear with hydraulic ram assist
Custom tube bumpers and white knuckle sliders
Creative fab trussed axle. rem polished and cryoed 5.13 gears with arb lockers fr/rr
Sharadon stage 2 545rfe with 3000 stall edge converter
Lots of other stuff lol
- Retired BLM Rig
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- Joined: Sun Jan 31, 2016 6:51 pm
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- Location: State of Jefferson
Re: Trailer Hitch Ball Mount Storage Idea
Colibri wrote:Swapping tounges is easier than swapping balls eh?
Don't get me wrong, I do like the new adjustable hitch inserts (as shown above), unfortunately they weren't available 25 years ago when I bought mine. I do like the new ones with the built in tongue weight scale, I may need to upgrade.
2008 Quad Cab - Stock RTI = 655, curb weight = 6081 lbs. Abel Components Plug & Play Locker Bypass®, Abel Components Full SmartBar Bypass®, Abel Components Nanny Kill Switch®, 2000 Watt ProMariner TruePower Plus Pure Sine Wave Inverter, Trailer Hitch Storage, MOLLE Door Panels, Wilton Hitch Vice, Locking Under Seat Storage Drawer, Smittybilt 2781 Air Compressor, 14K PullPal, Hi-Lift First Responder Jack, 25' Jumper Cable System, Slip Yoke Eliminator in a Can, Evolution vs. God, Share the Umbrella, Make sure you're right with God before you meet him!
Re: Trailer Hitch Ball Mount Storage Idea
Indeed, I've been eyeing a weighsafe hitch for awhile now as well. Taking the guess work out of tounge weight is really nice. It uses proprietary hitch balls though
Central Texas and Houston area
2009 5.7 auto quadcab
Carli 3” coils deaver leafs 3” kings with 4 tube bypass rear and fr/rr hydro bumps
Howe steering pump and gear with hydraulic ram assist
Custom tube bumpers and white knuckle sliders
Creative fab trussed axle. rem polished and cryoed 5.13 gears with arb lockers fr/rr
Sharadon stage 2 545rfe with 3000 stall edge converter
Lots of other stuff lol
2009 5.7 auto quadcab
Carli 3” coils deaver leafs 3” kings with 4 tube bypass rear and fr/rr hydro bumps
Howe steering pump and gear with hydraulic ram assist
Custom tube bumpers and white knuckle sliders
Creative fab trussed axle. rem polished and cryoed 5.13 gears with arb lockers fr/rr
Sharadon stage 2 545rfe with 3000 stall edge converter
Lots of other stuff lol