Angled Ball Mount?

[Nate]

I am running a Putnam class V hitch and adjustable ball mount.



I was curious if it's normal for the ball mount to be angled, so the end of it is lower than the front? like this: \ but not that bad, it's off by 3/8" or so.



I talked to the local RV shop and they said it makes for a better ride/trailer pulls better?



The other question... I was looking at the hitch the other day, and where the ball mount goes in, it's really thin compared to my class III. I would guess it's 3/16" if that. How's that make sense... thinner but can handle more weight??

 

[y-knot]

I have always been of the understanding that the ball should be level. Most adjustable HD Weight distributing hitches have the ability to level the ball after the proper height has been determined. They have an adjusting screw that you add or subtract washers from that will adjust the ball up or down allowing you to level it. That is the whole ideal, to level the trailer and then level the ball, so the trailer tows true and straight.

You would think that the heavier rated hitch would be made of heavier materials???? I too run a class V rated hitch, which is noticable larger and more robust then the stock class III hitch. But my Hitch did not come with any ball mounts, that was up to me to buy the right size and style to go with the hitch.

 

[clem]

The head is angled down so you can get more adjustment with your bars. If it did not you would pull your chains up to short,and bind your hitch in a turn. The chains give you the slack needed to make a turn.

 

[Slow Six]

Basically what clem said. Ideally the head should be level but some angle can be used to fine tune tension on the bars or as he said to have some slack in the take up chains. I've never heard the line about the trailer riding better. What they should have told you is that there may be more tension on the bars which may take some of the bounce out especially if you did not have enough tension.

 

[Nate]

It's just an adjustable hitch though, no bars or anything like that.



Not the best pic, I was just taking a pic of the truck/trailer on this and I used photo shop to zoom in on just the hitch.



I'm wondering if this Putnam stuff is just like Harbor Freight tools... cheap Chinese junk!

 

[Nate]

My buddy used my trailer and ball mount to pull a truck up to Oregon, so I got some pics when he brought the trailer back last night. Trailer is empty and the truck/trailer are level.



The square is against the back edge of the bend, to show that it's not bent at a 90*

 

[Nate]

Are the pics loading for you guys? Wondering why no one has posted???

 

[Grunt]

Nate



yes the pictures are loading..... and thats all I can tell you

 

[DMcPherson]

I have a similar hitch made I think by drawtite. and it sits level

 

[Nate]

I might just pickup one of those fancy al-u-minium ones. I'm not too happy with Putnam. Seems like it's made in China cheapo crap, like Harbor Freight tools. I guess you get what you pay for, huh?

 

[BigIronRam]

I am running a Putnam class V hitch and adjustable ball mount.



I was curious if it's normal for the ball mount to be angled, so the end of it is lower than the front? like this: \ but not that bad, it's off by 3/8" or so.



I talked to the local RV shop and they said it makes for a better ride/trailer pulls better?



The other question... I was looking at the hitch the other day, and where the ball mount goes in, it's really thin compared to my class III. I would guess it's 3/16" if that. How's that make sense... thinner but can handle more weight??

I did a LOT of research on the web for this. It's hard to find the reason for the adjustment, but here's what I found out. The tilt of the ball is NOT important, the reason for the adjustment is to "level out" the torque bars. The bars should be roughly parallel to the hitch when they're properly adjusted. Tilting the ball mount is how this is accomplished.

 

[Nate]

I don't have any bars.

 

[B.G. Smith]

The hitch is bent or maybe it was made that way but it is not right. I would not use it like that to pull a heavy load. bg

 

[TGibbs]

Not only is the ball mount bent but the the adjustable part of the hitch looks slightly bent too. I would buy a new aluminum adjustable one made by rapid hitch with the lock set on it. Expensive yes but I have one on all three company trucks and my truck too and never had a problem with them. On top of all that, they are rated for 10k where I am guessing the one you have there is only rated at 6 or 7k.



Tristan

 

[MDM]

Nate, I told you when you first started asking questions about hitches to go see Dave there in Mtn. Home but Nooo, that would bee too easy. You buy cheap crap, you get what you pay for.

 

[Nate]

Actually it's just the way the light is reflecting off if, cause the adjustable part is fine. It's rated for 10,000lbs... class V.



I'm going to see if I can find a phone # for Putnam and call them about it.

Not only is the ball mount bent but the the adjustable part of the hitch looks slightly bent too. I would buy a new aluminum adjustable one made by rapid hitch with the lock set on it. Expensive yes but I have one on all three company trucks and my truck too and never had a problem with them. On top of all that, they are rated for 10k where I am guessing the one you have there is only rated at 6 or 7k.



Tristan

 

[Nate]

MDM, I have no idea who you are, or who Dave in Mtn Home is.



I bought the Putnam stuff because several TDR members recomended that company to me. I paid about $300 for my setup... hitch, ball mount and ball... so it wasn't exactly cheap.

Nate, I told you when you first started asking questions about hitches to go see Dave there in Mtn. Home but Nooo, that would bee too easy. You buy cheap crap, you get what you pay for.