Ball size

[Weezy]

Hello! This is my first post here. I just recently purchased a 1992 Starcraft and am looking forward to our first "non-backyard" camping trip. I realized, much to my horror that I pulled the camper home w/ a 1 7/8 inch ball when the camper takes a 2 inch ball.  Is this a REALLY bad thing? Of course I plan to remedy this before our trip. I guess I just wanted to know how close to disaster I came!
Thanks!

[flyfisherman]

Hello! This is my first post here. I just recently purchased a 1992 Starcraft and am looking forward to our first "non-backyard" camping trip. I realized, much to my horror that I pulled the camper home w/ a 1 7/8 inch ball when the camper takes a 2 inch ball.  Is this a REALLY bad thing? Of course I plan to remedy this before our trip. I guess I just wanted to know how close to disaster I came!
Thanks!

Sure can be a bad thing, especially if that receiver on the Starcraft and that
 1 7/8" ball would have seperated as you were tooling down the highway. Nothing like the adventure of trying to regain control of a trailer that has come loose and is hanging on by it's saftey chains! I'm sure you will correct this A.S.A.P.!

Welcome aboard. I know you'll enjoy the board.


Fly

[AlaTex]

Very close.  

Years ago, I learned the hard way.  Pulling a utility trailer with a 1 7/8 in ball on a home made utility trailer, I had purchased used, hualiing some long lumber which reduced the weight on the coupling, I went over a small dip in the road and said to DW - look there goes a trailer just like ours.  

Well, I found out it had a 2" coupling and 1 7/8 ball.  Paint on copuling covered the size indicator.  Had already traveled 30 miles.  Then it came off (no safety chains), it crossed the road and through a new fence.  Luckily, there was not an oncoming vehicle.  Had to look for parts to temp repair fence to keep cows in.  Cracked some of lumber and had to have new spindles on trailer.  Costly, but could have been worse.  I did not even know there was but one size ball at the time, especially on a small trailer.

You and I were Lucky.  Advice get it fixed ASAP.

[Weezy]

Sure can be a bad thing, especially if that receiver on the Starcraft and that
 1 7/8" ball would have seperated as you were tooling down the highway. Nothing like the adventure of trying to regain control of a trailer that has come loose and is hanging on by it's saftey chains! I'm sure you will correct this A.S.A.P.!

Welcome aboard. I know you'll enjoy the board.


Fly

Thanks for the reply. You wouldn't think that 1/8 inch would make a big difference! We are so excited to be camping in a pop up again. My husband and I used to own an old '85 Palomino, but we sold it several years ago because we needed the money, with two little kids. Now we plan to camp a lot more now that the kids are getting bigger. I think I am a bit more enthused than my Dh, but he is more into playing guitars right now. I'm sure I'll have dozens of questions to ask! I am so glad to find this site!

[Weezy]

Very close.  

Years ago, I learned the hard way.  Pulling a utility trailer with a 1 7/8 in ball on a home made utility trailer, I had purchased used, hualiing some long lumber which reduced the weight on the coupling, I went over a small dip in the road and said to DW - look there goes a trailer just like ours.  

Well, I found out it had a 2" coupling and 1 7/8 ball.  Paint on copuling covered the size indicator.  Had already traveled 30 miles.  Then it came off (no safety chains), it crossed the road and through a new fence.  Luckily, there was not an oncoming vehicle.  Had to look for parts to temp repair fence to keep cows in.  Cracked some of lumber and had to have new spindles on trailer.  Costly, but could have been worse.  I did not even know there was but one size ball at the time, especially on a small trailer.

You and I waer Lucky.  Advice get it fixed ASAP.

Yikes! I went to pick up the camper with my mom and children, husband was working. I am thanking GOD that my oversight didn't hurt or kill someone! Come to think of it, the camper did jerk around a lot! Especially over bumps!

[Jeremy]

so I guess size does matter.... hehe j/k.. sorry, couldn't resist.

[Weezy]

so I guess size does matter.... hehe j/k.. sorry, couldn't resist.

HAHA! I have taken care of the ball problem today, I just purchased a 2'' ball with a receiver that has a 4'' drop. I am hoping that this will make the camper sit a little more level. It kinda had its nose in the air on the ride home, and I know it should sit more level. We also have a utility trailer that takes the 1 7/8 ball, so it wil be easy to just switch receivers when needed.

[flyfisherman]

HAHA! I have taken care of the ball problem today, I just purchased a 2'' ball with a receiver that has a 4'' drop. I am hoping that this will make the camper sit a little more level. It kinda had its nose in the air on the ride home, and I know it should sit more level. We also have a utility trailer that takes the 1 7/8 ball, so it wil be easy to just switch receivers when needed.

That's the way to do it! And having the camper as level as possible is part of what help makes it have good road towing manners!


Fly