Tow ball questions

[rangertodd]

I need a tow ball for my '99 Ranger. I'm looking for a regular ball to mount on the hole in the bumper. I'm not planning to tow anything heavier than a 14' aluminum boat so I'm sure the bumper will be fine. But where do I get a tow ball? And what size should I get? I can get a reese hitch ball (tow ball with lock washer and nut) at VIP or Walmart for around $10. Is this the same ball that Ford uses on the bumpers? I've never towed anything before so I have no idea what I need. Thanks.

 

[kunar]

I can get a reese hitch ball (tow ball with lock washer and nut) at VIP or Walmart for around $10.

thats fine, you just need to make sure its the right size. it may be stamped on the tongue of the trailer, i dont know for sure...

 

[krugford]

The ball from Wal-Mart will be fine. Reese is a good name for hitches and accessories. As for the size, you'll have to look at the trailer you'll be towing and see what size of ball it takes. Common sizes are 1-7/8 and 2" for this size of trailer. Also take a quick look at the size of the hole in your bumper. They make different size shanks for the same size ball. You need to get the correct shank size. There is only a couple of different shank sizes so that should be easy as well. Good Luck!

-krug

 

[rangertodd]

The ball from Wal-Mart will be fine. Reese is a good name for hitches and accessories. As for the size, you'll have to look at the trailer you'll be towing and see what size of ball it takes. Common sizes are 1-7/8 and 2" for this size of trailer. Also take a quick look at the size of the hole in your bumper. They make different size shanks for the same size ball. You need to get the correct shank size. There is only a couple of different shank sizes so that should be easy as well. Good Luck!

-krug

I'll have to check out the hole size. It's a stock xlt bumper, so I'm sure it's a common size. Thanks.

 

[rangertodd]

thats fine, you just need to make sure its the right size. it may be stamped on the tongue of the trailer, i dont know for sure...

Thanks. I don't have a trailer yet, but I'm looking at a couple different boats for sale, so I'll have to match the ball to whatever I buy.

 

[Jspafford]

The hole in your bumper is going to need a ball with a 3/4" shank size.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

since your truck didnt come with a towing package, you'll also need to add a trailer wiring harness for your trailers lights.

please dont cut and splice your factory harness. there are companies that sell kits that are 100% plug and play. they plug into your stock taillight wiring harness and also convert your 3 bulb lights into the 2 bulb system most small trailers use.

 

[metalmacguyver]

since your truck didnt come with a towing package, you'll also need to add a trailer wiring harness for your trailers lights.

please dont cut and splice your factory harness. there are companies that sell kits that are 100% plug and play. they plug into your stock taillight wiring harness and also convert your 3 bulb lights into the 2 bulb system most small trailers use.

and those are only about 30 dollars at walmart too. i got one and it worked great.

 

[racsan]

i had to replace mine last winter when i got a new box trailer, something inside the converter box went bad i only had 1 brake light, no tail lights or turn signals. but it sure beats the old days of probing wires, sticking your finger and soldering/taping the harnes together
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[Guy]

since your truck didnt come with a towing package, you'll also need to add a trailer wiring harness for your trailers lights.

please dont cut and splice your factory harness. there are companies that sell kits that are 100% plug and play. they plug into your stock taillight wiring harness and also convert your 3 bulb lights into the 2 bulb system most small trailers use.

Well that takes all the fun out of it

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

it does. but ive seen way to many hack jobs to not reccomend doing it the right way

 

[dburton07]

since your truck didnt come with a towing package, you'll also need to add a trailer wiring harness for your trailers lights.

please dont cut and splice your factory harness. there are companies that sell kits that are 100% plug and play. they plug into your stock taillight wiring harness and also convert your 3 bulb lights into the 2 bulb system most small trailers use.

i got one too and its awesome. the only thing i had to do was change out the blinker switch because when the trailer was plugged in it flashed at a million mph

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

ahh yes, i forgot about the flasher, thanks for bringing that up. you'll need a heavy duty flasher to avoid hyper-active blinks.

 

[racsan]

i got the "loud" flasher, mine started to go bad and would slow to a stop if waiting on a light/traffic for long. couldnt hardly hear the old one with it being tucked up under the dash like it is.
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