Off-road limitations of a 2" ball coupler?

[hidesertwheelin]

I'm in the process of building my new trailer and has someone recommend to me to just stick to a 2" ball coupler. He said that is what he uses on his off-road trailer and has hone all over the Mojave desert and never had a problem. Anyone else running a 2" ball coupler? Love it? Regret it?

Edit: Also, how much would a collar lock impact angles vs. a straight ball coupler?

 

[Nd4SpdSe]

I've done the RTI test with mine and the rotation of a 2" ball is actually quite impressive.

The issues would be the breakover angle of the coupler

It probably comes down to the type of terrain you encounter, but a 2" ball works surprisingly quite well.

 

[(none)]

I haven't had any issues yet with the 2" ball pulling my trailer around behind my JK and now my 4runner. Through ditches and such, nothing super crazy, but also have never had an issue.
Someone (I think on here) did a test, they determined a 1 7/8" ball and coupler had a tad bit more than the 2"

 

[FosterWV]

We use a 2" ball on our trailers w no issues, in reality 95% of us never exceed its capabilities

 

[jeep-N-montero]

We use a 2" ball on our trailers w no issues, in reality 95% of us never exceed its capabilities

You beat me to it, most folks will never need more than what a standard coupler offers. Shoot, seems like even the ones who have the special hitches never even take them on trails as evidenced by the numerous pictures posted of fancy trailers parked in paved campgrounds. I know with our trailer it has never been an issue.

 

[BCzuk]

I am planning on running the 2" ball on my off road trailer and looking into making my own max coupler style setup for the times I really need it. I agree that most of the time for me the 2" ball will be just fine since any extreme rock crawler would have the trailer left at camp

 

[SoDakSooner]

Good thoughts. I am going through this dilemna right now. Might just stick with the trusty 2" ball for now.

 

[Semi-Hex]

You might live close to it but I took my Jumping Jack down Red Canyon Jeep trail and on two occasions I lifted my trailer wheel after locking the skirt of the hitch to the ball. Both were around a turn where my rig was going up and the trailer going down, both going through a wash. You could feel it bind and I really was concerned for a bit. But at least you'll know if you are going to get into these areas again.

 

[hidesertwheelin]

Thanks everyone. I think I am going to go with one of those height adjustable coupler mounts. This will allow me to tow it with my 100 series or my wifes 2016 4runner.

https://www.etrailer.com/Adjustable-Trailer-Coupler/Demco/DM6125-95.html

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Thanks everyone. I think I am going to go with one of those height adjustable coupler mounts.

https://www.etrailer.com/Adjustable-Trailer-Coupler/Demco/DM6125-95.html

Why would you need an adjustable coupler?

 

[hidesertwheelin]

Why would you need an adjustable coupler?

I can swap out between a 2" ball and lunette ring. It will also allow me to easily adjust the height if I use my wifes stock 4runner to tow it vs my lifted 100 series.

 

[JPNCA]

I run a 2" ball. Works fine

 

[wjeeper]

My answer is it totally depends on what coupler you have! Both of these couplers are binding



.....the bulldog on the left is the one that I used. I did end up grinding/ clearancing both the ball and the coupler. It was a 5000+ lb rated hitch towing a 750 lb trailer. The loss of a little bit of material didn't present any problems.

Biggest benefit is it was quiet and cheap. Cant say the same for multi-axis hitches or pintle hitches!

 

[rnArmy]

I'm running a lunette ring (which slides into a 2" receiver mounted on the front of my trailer) and pintle hitch, and have never thought of it as noisy.
What did make noise at one time was the lunette ring thingy rotating up and down on the receiver pin and hitting the inside the receiver tube. Drilling a hole in the underside of the 2" receiver and welding a nut to the hole so I could run a bolt up to snug it up got rid of the motion (and the noise). You can see on the second picture where the lunette ring thingy had been hitting the inside of the receiver tube and chipped off the paint.
And with a 2" receiver on the front of your trailer, you can always run a ball mount if you want to.

 

[M35A2]

Two words:

Pintle.

OK, one word.