Is There a Higher Ball Mount?

[Ray & Paula]

I have a 2004 Honda Goldwing GL1800 Lehman Monarch and CSC Escapade trailer I've owned since new. Most of the time the front of my trailer hits going over medium size curbs. It doesn't matter if I go straight into the curb or go at them at an angle. I've took a couple bad hits to the front bottom going at it at an angle. It doesn't matter if I'm loaded or not. My shocks are great and the suspension on the trike is great. Yes, I do go over curbs, etc slowly. Only solution I can think of would be to find a hitch that has some rise to it but, then I need to consider the trunk opening. Is there anyone that has a different style ball mount other than the oem chrome straight one? If you do and/or have any ideas for correction, please let me know. Thanks. Ray

 

[rhino 2]

I have a 2004 Honda Goldwing GL1800 Lehman Monarch and CSC Escapade trailer I've owned since new. Most of the time the front of my trailer hits going over medium size curbs. It doesn't matter if I go straight into the curb or go at them at an angle. I've took a couple bad hits to the front bottom going at it at an angle. It doesn't matter if I'm loaded or not. My shocks are great and the suspension on the trike is great. Yes, I do go over curbs, etc slowly. Only solution I can think of would be to find a hitch that has some rise to it but, then I need to consider the trunk opening. Is there anyone that has a different style ball mount other than the oem chrome straight one? If you do and/or have any ideas for correction, please let me know. Thanks. Ray

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Just a shot in the dark..But go to a place that sells travel trailers they might have taller balls?…Or ones with longer shanks so you can then add spacers??

 

[Ray & Paula]

Just a shot in the dark..But go to a place that sells travel trailers they might have taller balls?…Or ones with longer shanks so you can then add spacers??

Thanks for the reply..... The ball on there is a regular ball, it just has a lockable cover over the nut. Thanks again. Ray

 

[radismukes]

Thanks for the reply..... The ball on there is a regular ball, it just has a lockable cover over the nut. Thanks again. Ray

This should do the trick, it has a 2" rise.

https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch-Ball/Curt/C40032.html

 

[Ray & Paula]

This should do the trick, it has a 2" rise.

https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch-Ball/Curt/C40032.html

Awesome!! I didn't know there was such a ball with that rise. I believe it will do the trick! A huge Thank You!! Appreciate the help...... I'm going to order one now!

 

[Ray & Paula]

Just checked the shank size which is 3/4" instead of 1". Trying to find one with 3/4" shank..... I may have to have the shank hole driled out, if possible. Thanks again, I sincerely appreciate it. Ray

 

[Papa Zook]

Another option would be this:

https://www.amazon.com/Curt-Manufacturing-40019-CURT-Trailer/dp/B0009TCR7Q?ref_=ast_sto_dp

And a couple of these:

https://www.grizzly.com/products/woodstock-spacer-3-4-id-x-1-1-4-od-x-1-h/w1168

 

[radismukes]

Just checked the shank size which is 3/4" instead of 1". Trying to find one with 3/4" shank..... I may have to have the shank hole driled out, if possible. Thanks again, I sincerely appreciate it. Ray

My research indicates it may be a safety issue on the shank size. My guess just about any machine shop could drill out the hitch receive quickly. Good luck

 

[rhino 2]

Another option would be this:

https://www.amazon.com/Curt-Manufacturing-40019-CURT-Trailer/dp/B0009TCR7Q?ref_=ast_sto_dp

And a couple of these:

https://www.grizzly.com/products/woodstock-spacer-3-4-id-x-1-1-4-od-x-1-h/w1168

Yep long shank (3/4) with spacer And no drilling …

 

[dougv]

I made a custom hitch for my CSC trike that uses a 2" receiver, originally for a rack that used a 2" mount. There are many options for the offset with the 2". I eventually picked up a trailer and was able to get a drawbar with the right amount of rise.

 

[Ray & Paula]

Another option would be this:

https://www.amazon.com/Curt-Manufacturing-40019-CURT-Trailer/dp/B0009TCR7Q?ref_=ast_sto_dp

And a couple of these:

https://www.grizzly.com/products/woodstock-spacer-3-4-id-x-1-1-4-od-x-1-h/w1168

Thanks...... Certainly would be another option. I really would like the 2" rise ball for a clean install. The worst thing about most of Curt trailer balls is that there isn't any way to torque them down withput tearing up the chrome. Nothing to grab on to. I remember in the past I was so ticked off, I sent it back all tore up for a refund. I appreciate the other options that you linked me to. Thanks, Ray

 

[Ray & Paula]

My research indicates it may be a safety issue on the shank size. My guess just about any machine shop could drill out the hitch receive quickly. Good luck

Thanks for checking more into the situation. I came up with the same conclusion after not seeing the availability of the 2" rise with a 3/4" shank..... makes sense. On the other hand, it wouldn't have bothered me due to the use on a bike trailers overall weight. I'm considering having my 3/4" hole drilled out to 1". I would be taking a chance of having some machine shop doing it correctly and of course, it would break the chrome. If it didn't work out, I'm not even sure I could replace the hitch due to be Lehman. Then there is the Papa Zook option of using spacers...... I also wonder if some other company other than CSC trailer tongue would give me more rise. At least there are some options. Thanks again for your help, appreciate it. Ray

 

[Ray & Paula]

I made a custom hitch for my CSC trike that uses a 2" receiver, originally for a rack that used a 2" mount. There are many options for the offset with the 2". I eventually picked up a trailer and was able to get a drawbar with the right amount of rise.

That sounds great.... I couldn't find another hitch option for my Lehman. I really believe a 2" rise would be the cure all. Thanks for the reply. Ray

 

[Papa Zook]

Thanks...... Certainly would be another option. I really would like the 2" rise ball for a clean install. The worst thing about most of Curt trailer balls is that there isn't any way to torque them down withput tearing up the chrome. Nothing to grab on to. I remember in the past I was so ticked off, I sent it back all tore up for a refund. I appreciate the other options that you linked me to. Thanks, Ray

Yes, look closer at this ball... you can torque this particular ball as it has two flat sides at the bottom of the ball to facilitate a wrench, so no pipe wrenching on the ball is needed. The shank is 3" long, the spacers are 1" tall each so two stacked would give you the 2" rise you need, or for that matter there are lots of options on spacers, like stainless round bar stock drilled, etc.. The light weight of the trailer would never overload the ball (its rated at 3500 lbs towing capacity, the trailer weighs 250 lbs + baggage) and no drilling your hitch bar would not cause your hitch chrome to peel, nor would it weaken the hitch bar itself, which can no longer be sourced. Just throwing some ideas out there.

 

[Ray & Paula]

Yes, look closer at this ball... you can torque this particular ball as it has two flat sides at the bottom of the ball to facilitate a wrench, so no pipe wrenching on the ball is needed. The shank is 3" long, the spacers are 1" tall each so two stacked would give you the 2" rise you need, or for that matter there are lots of options on spacers, like stainless round bar stock drilled, etc.. The light weight of the trailer would never overload the ball (its rated at 3500 lbs towing capacity, the trailer weighs 250 lbs + baggage) and no drilling you hitch bar would not cause your hitch chrome to peel, nor would it weaken the hitch bar itself, which can no longer be sourced. Just throwing some ideas out there.

Thank you for all the great info. That setup would certainly do the trick. It would be nice to find some of these spacers in chrome over steel. I would need the ball to be 1-7/8" in which Curt does have one with the 3" shank rated at 2000lbs. In regards to strength, I wouldn't be concerned due to weight. I don't know anyone that owns a machine shop therefore, I would be guessing on their work with fingers crossed. No drilling would be at the top of this whole idea. Thanks again for your help, appreciate it. Ray

 

[Ray & Paula]

I came across the following stainless steel spacer but, quite pricey.

https://www.mcmaster.com/92320A391/

 

[DaleH]

I came across the following stainless steel spacer but, quite pricey.

https://www.mcmaster.com/92320A391/

another option from mcmaster is an aluminum spacer of the same dimensions as this one . Its a lot cheaper, and could be polished to be shiny. Since its a spacer and would be held tightly, Aluminum would be fine, and lighter weight as well.

https://www.mcmaster.com/spacers/aluminum-unthreaded-spacers/

 

[Ray & Paula]

another option from mcmaster is an aluminum spacer of the same dimensions as this one . Its a lot cheaper, and could be polished to be shiny. Since its a spacer and would be held tightly, Aluminum would be fine, and lighter weight as well.

https://www.mcmaster.com/spacers/aluminum-unthreaded-spacers/

Thanks..... A little softer than stainless but, certainly seems like it would work. Being able to polish it would be a definate bonus. I did contact an automotive machine shop for drilling out my hitch to 1". Problem with that is how bad the chrome would break/chip out around the hole. The 2" rise Curt balls are 1-1/2" diameter which only leaves a 1/4" margin for error. A chrome plated 1" ID x 2" OD washer would give me 1/2" room if I could find one. I just need to make a decision in looks but, more importantly, durability. Thanks again, appreciate the help.