HTF do i tighten this?!

[grimmjeeper]

The trick is no one tightens it to 450 ftlbs

I bought this to work on Dana 80 pinion nuts and the like. It's also nice for torquing control arm bolts.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0C6F1VNWQ?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

I also have socket sets up to 2" or so. So I can do it.

But i still don't.

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[SlickRicksWilly]

what the defense lawyer will say in the multi-million dollar lawsuit when the ball comes off and the trailer goes sailing into a minivan full of kids. Lol

The real world isn't TV, there is no super forensics investigation team. If the ball falls off and the trailer goes sailing down highway you are at fault regardless of if it was torqued to 450 lbs. Or if it was held on by zip ties.
2 crescent wrenches until the lock washer is flat, one little extra pull with a grunt and some short quip about that being tighter than a virgin and you are good to go.

 

[Nokones]

Craftsman or Snapon 3/4" drive socket (depending on the ball 1 3/4", 1 13/16", or 1 7/8") with a 3/4" breaker bar with no extension and pipe with a lot of umph.

 

[Twisted10]

 

[Terrymo]

1-7/8 should be correct. Or go to U-Haul and have this guy do it.

 

[Roky]

Pipe wrench and/or big ass crescent, get it tight as you can then water it for a few days to get a good rust growing, it won’t come loose…

 

[6.2Blazer]

I've never put a torque wrench on a trailer ball either, and have never actually seen anybody do it either. Have installed many using a big crescent wrench or pipe wrench with a cheater bar on it and just cranked it as much as possible. Currently have big enough sockets in both 1/2" and 3/4" drive to do it. Usually go about 6 ugga-dugga's with the impact and then put a breaker bar on it just to check........but can't get it any tighter by hand.
The torque value required is not about the nut coming loose. It's about the strength of the ball to the receiver hitch. The higher the torque the more friction is between the ball and receiver platform and thus not just relying on the threaded ball shank to take all of the force. Same concept of the wheels mounted on the vehicle. It's not the actual threaded studs on the hubs that take the force, but it's the friction of the wheel stuck up against the hub. If you torque the ball to say only 75 ft-lbs., which is plenty to seat the lock washer flat and the nut will be "tight" then simulate the pull of a trailer until failure. Now torque that nut to 400 ft-lbs. and it will take way more force before failure. That's why if the wheel lugs come loose it will break the studs....because the studs aren't strong enough by themselves
I always get a kick out of people bringing up lawyers and court cases. Just like the one reply above, if the ball comes off and you kill a bus full of nuns it doesn't matter how tight you torqued the nut. It's not like a lawyer or judge is going to say "oh, you torqued it to 450 ft-lbs so no big deal....you are free to go home now........".

 

[Mudduck]

I picked up a 2 5/16” hitch at home depot for my travel trailer. For a weight distribution kit im going to put on it.

HD doesnt sell any sockets or wrenches large enough to tighten the nut. The biggest they have is 1.5” i cant even use a tool to find out what size it is.

i put a measuring tape on it and it appears to be 1 7/8”

it says to tighten to 450 ft lbs!! So forget an adjustable wrench like HD lady was suggesting.

i know people have trailers here and many DIYers so how do i tighten this thing? Anyone know the actual size? I just bought a monster impact gun and torque wrench.

Harbor Freight will have the correct size wrench. I picked up a whole set for taking down light poles that range from 1 1/8' - 2.00" for $60. They have singles as well.

 

[Briiiiiian]

Take it to a trailer store. Hauling trailer, travel trailer, whatever. Ask them if they will take $20 for them to use a pneumatic heavy duty impact on it to tighten. That is how they do it. I asked same question for my trailer hitch. And its not to spec likely, but will not come off. Don't take channel lock advice.

 

[Camaroboi13]

Take the channel lock advice. You’re overthinking a problem that doesn’t exist.

 

[DarthAWM]

I picked up a 2 5/16” hitch at home depot for my travel trailer. For a weight distribution kit im going to put on it.

HD doesnt sell any sockets or wrenches large enough to tighten the nut. The biggest they have is 1.5” i cant even use a tool to find out what size it is.

i put a measuring tape on it and it appears to be 1 7/8”

it says to tighten to 450 ft lbs!! So forget an adjustable wrench like HD lady was suggesting.

i know people have trailers here and many DIYers so how do i tighten this thing? Anyone know the actual size? I just bought a monster impact gun and torque wrench.

With this

 

[Cire]

I don’t tow stuff, and I am just curious. When you put these on, do you ever take it off? Often they look rusty and permanent, so, why not just weld it and not worry about it breaking loose?

 

[JPAloha]

Can’t recall where I bought it but I have a tow hitchball wrench that has two common sizes on it. Once the ball stops moving (used an adjustable wrench to hold the top still to reach that point), I put the hitch into the receiver and kept going with the wrench. Never had an issue with the ones I’ve done that way but also agree that your local RV/Trailer place will do it for little to nothing if you ask nicely.

 

[Jeep Wick]

i found some Az for $20
Just not sure if thats the exact size. Good things for prime returns lol

I bought the socket at AutoZone or tractor supply, I forget. Used my big impact like you are talking about. There is a lock washer on there, so once it's tight it won't loosen on you.

 

[Jeep Wick]

I don’t tow stuff, and I am just curious. When you put these on, do you ever take it off? Often they look rusty and permanent, so, why not just weld it and not worry about it breaking loose?

Yes. I've had to move the ball to a different drop before. Some never change, but it happens. My wife's SUV and my Jeep are different heights and these things are expensive.

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