Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
Sunline RV Forum
Sunline User Photos

Go Back   Sunline Coach Owner's Club > Technical Forums > Towing and Tow Vehicles
Click Here to Login

Join Sunline Club Forums Today


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 08-21-2016, 10:01 AM   #1
Senior Member
 
JerryJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Ontario
Posts: 360
SUN #6257
JerryJ is an unknown quantity at this point
2" ball versus 2 5/16" ball

I'm have just upgraded from a class 2 receiver to a class 3, in anticipation to use a WD system.
I need to know what the general rule of thumb is; when is a 2 5/16 is being used?
Does it vary per all manufactures or is there a general rule (code) that states after a certain size or weight that a 2 5/16 is to be used.
I know the coupler will state which size is required. But I won't know that until I go to the seller's house

We're still on the hunt for a bigger trailer 17 ft to 19 or 20 ft and all dependent on dry weight. It might be a situation where I have to wait, buy the trailer then get the WD system and ball. But if there is a standard I'll know where my minimums and maximums are
__________________

__________________


Jerry & Debbie
Ford Explorer 4.6 Triton V8, AWD, 4x4
1985 Sunline Saturn T-1350
Ham radio VE3JCJ, VHF, UHF and HF
JerryJ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-21-2016, 10:55 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
Steve Collins's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: New York
Posts: 1,846
SUN #264
Steve Collins is an unknown quantity at this point
Quote:
Originally Posted by JerryJ View Post
I know the coupler will state which size is required. But I won't know that until I go to the seller's house
Jerry, someone else just brought that up in the last few weeks. Up until then I would have said that they all use 2 5/16", but his was 2" and it turns out that many of the shorter/smaller Sunlines were 2" couplers.

The only way to know for sure is to read the coupler. If this was my deal, I'd call the seller and have him/her double check the coupler and let you know so that you can buy the right size ball before picking up the trailer.

Presuming that this is a Sunline, what year and model? Maybe someone here has the same rig and can tell you.
__________________

__________________

'12 F250 4x4 Super Duty PowerStroke 6.7 diesel
2011 to present: '11 Cougar 326MKS
1999 to 2011: '99 Sunline T-2453
SUN264 * Amateur Radio kd2iat monitoring 146.52
Steve Collins is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-21-2016, 02:29 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,279
SUN #1830
Jim-Bev-2363 is an unknown quantity at this point
Carrying two balls and a wrench can save time and money. Could even come in handy at other times. I swap my balls sometimes.
__________________
Beverly & Jim
Sebring, Florida
1991 T-2363 Solaris
Jim-Bev-2363 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-21-2016, 03:00 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
JerryJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Ontario
Posts: 360
SUN #6257
JerryJ is an unknown quantity at this point
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim-Bev-2363 View Post
Carrying two balls and a wrench can save time and money. Could even come in handy at other times. I swap my balls sometimes.
A little off topic isn't it??? LOL.
__________________


Jerry & Debbie
Ford Explorer 4.6 Triton V8, AWD, 4x4
1985 Sunline Saturn T-1350
Ham radio VE3JCJ, VHF, UHF and HF
JerryJ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-21-2016, 05:51 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Maine
Posts: 3,357
SUN #2097
mainah is an unknown quantity at this point
Usually a 2" is up to 8,000#
__________________
mainah is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-21-2016, 06:51 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Steve Collins's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: New York
Posts: 1,846
SUN #264
Steve Collins is an unknown quantity at this point
Quote:
Originally Posted by mainah View Post
Usually a 2" is up to 8,000#
Not really an accurate indicator. My 2453 was a 5,00# GVWR trailer, it had a 2 5/16" coupler.

Gotta read the coupler on the trailer to know for sure.
__________________

'12 F250 4x4 Super Duty PowerStroke 6.7 diesel
2011 to present: '11 Cougar 326MKS
1999 to 2011: '99 Sunline T-2453
SUN264 * Amateur Radio kd2iat monitoring 146.52
Steve Collins is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-21-2016, 06:55 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
Steve Collins's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: New York
Posts: 1,846
SUN #264
Steve Collins is an unknown quantity at this point
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim-Bev-2363 View Post
Carrying two balls and a wrench can save time and money. Could even come in handy at other times. I swap my balls sometimes.
That is way too much information for my ears!

But I do agree that carrying both 2" and 2 5/16" balls with the appropriate wrench or socket is a great idea. I have a 2" ball on a 5,000# draw bar and a 1 7/8" ball on one as well. The 2 5/16" ball is on the WD platform.
__________________

'12 F250 4x4 Super Duty PowerStroke 6.7 diesel
2011 to present: '11 Cougar 326MKS
1999 to 2011: '99 Sunline T-2453
SUN264 * Amateur Radio kd2iat monitoring 146.52
Steve Collins is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-21-2016, 09:09 PM   #8
Moderator
 
JohnB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Ohio
Posts: 12,643
SUN #89
JohnB is on a distinguished road
While not a hard and fast rule, if it is a tandem axle trailer, odds are high it is a 2 5/16

If it is a single axle, well 2" is more common


Best is as Steve said, verify before going or do as Jim said, bring both? I'll just leave the rest of the ball comments alone ...
__________________
Current Sunlines: 2004 T310SR, 2004 T1950, 2004 T2475, 2007 T2499, 2004 T317SR
Prior Sunlines: 2004 T2499 - Fern Blue
2005 Ford F350 Lariat, 6.8L V10 W/ 4.10 rear axle, CC, Short Bed, SRW. Reese HP trunnion bar hitch W/ HP DC

Google Custom Search For Sunline Owners Club
JohnB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-22-2016, 04:01 AM   #9
Senior Member
 
JerryJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Ontario
Posts: 360
SUN #6257
JerryJ is an unknown quantity at this point
Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnB View Post
While not a hard and fast rule, if it is a tandem axle trailer, odds are high it is a 2 5/16

If it is a single axle, well 2" is more common

.

Great rule of thumb and answers my question
thanks guys
__________________


Jerry & Debbie
Ford Explorer 4.6 Triton V8, AWD, 4x4
1985 Sunline Saturn T-1350
Ham radio VE3JCJ, VHF, UHF and HF
JerryJ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-22-2016, 08:34 AM   #10
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Maine
Posts: 3,357
SUN #2097
mainah is an unknown quantity at this point
My T1700 is tandem 2" so that's not a good standard. This should not be hard we can rule out 1 7/8 a 2 5/16 will not fit in a 2" hitch and a 2" will flop around like a fish in a 2 5/16 The seller probably knows what size ball he used to tow the camper with. A lot of this is also dependent on the stud size. A 2" ball ranges from 3500 to 12,000#(dependent on stud size) so even a good size trailer may well have a 2" hitch. Of course the draw bars also come in to play to match the hole size to mount the ball. To me being in the dark I would rent or barrow a 3 way draw bar hitch or take two draw bars changing balls when some take over 450 FP of torque may not be an option.
__________________
mainah is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-22-2016, 09:02 AM   #11
Senior Member
 
JerryJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Ontario
Posts: 360
SUN #6257
JerryJ is an unknown quantity at this point
Quote:
Originally Posted by mainah View Post
My T1700 is tandem 2" so that's not a good standard. This should not be hard we can rule out 1 7/8 a 2 5/16 will not fit in a 2" hitch and a 2" will flop around like a fish in a 2 5/16 The seller probably knows what size ball he used to tow the camper with. A lot of this is also dependent on the stud size. A 2" ball ranges from 3500 to 12,000#(dependent on stud size) so even a good size trailer may well have a 2" hitch. Of course the draw bars also come in to play to match the hole size to mount the ball. To me being in the dark I would rent or barrow a 3 way draw bar hitch or take two draw bars changing balls when some take over 450 FP of torque may not be an option.
I know on my T1350 I used a 2" but ya know, it, too, flopped around like a fish, yet the coupler had 2" stamped on it. We know they shouldn't be real tight. I already have a 2 5/16 tow package for the box trailer, so when I tow it's either the box trailer with its own draw bar or the newer TT with its own draw bar & ball. Easier to swap draw bars then removing and swapping balls all the time. Guess I'll have to check each trailer that I visit before I buy.
My wife will be checking out the interior and I'll be checking out the mechanical. As long as I have a place to sleep and eat and AC...I'm good. But as long as the trailer is towed properly, is my main concern.

I'll post an update when we buy, whether it's a Sunline or other brand (not too many Sunlines available over the past 3 weeks aside from one which was way too big
__________________


Jerry & Debbie
Ford Explorer 4.6 Triton V8, AWD, 4x4
1985 Sunline Saturn T-1350
Ham radio VE3JCJ, VHF, UHF and HF
JerryJ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-22-2016, 09:39 AM   #12
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Maine
Posts: 3,357
SUN #2097
mainah is an unknown quantity at this point
A 2" ball will fall out of a locked 2 5/16 hitch that's a little too sloppy. I have 5 trailers, the smallest a 1 7/8 log splitter the largest a 30,000# goose neck flat bed I have draw bars all over the place in assorted sizes I wish they were all the same size.
__________________
mainah is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-24-2016, 06:56 PM   #13
Moderator
 
Sunline Fan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Michigan
Posts: 6,155
SUN #123
Sunline Fan is an unknown quantity at this point
Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnB View Post
While not a hard and fast rule, if it is a tandem axle trailer, odds are high it is a 2 5/16

If it is a single axle, well 2" is more common
^^^^^THIS

I think some of the '80s Sunlines in up to the mid 20' range may have also used a 2", but I'm not completely sure. By the '90s though, the above rule definitely applies.
__________________

__________________
2007 T-286SR Cherry/Granola, #6236, original owner, current mileage: 9473.8 (as of 6/18/21)
1997 T-2653 Blue Denim, #5471
1979 12 1/2' MC, Beige & Avocado, #4639
Past Sunlines: '97 T-2653 #5089, '94 T-2251, '86 T-1550, '94 T-2363, '98 T-270SR
Sunline Fan is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Very neat, "low-cost" alternative to a "Bed Saver" EMD_Driver Sunline 5th Wheels 0 11-26-2011 04:20 PM
Sunline "SR" "Slide Room" and "Solaris" Decals EMD_Driver Accessories, Parts, Etc. For Sale 7 05-09-2011 07:53 PM
Bias versus Radial Mark Repairs and Maintenance 51 04-17-2010 08:31 PM
Sunline "SR" "Slide Room" Decal Availabl frank Accessories, Parts, Etc. For Sale 16 11-18-2009 03:09 PM
Fiberglass versus Aluminum? MikeM Sunline Community 4 05-23-2007 10:29 PM


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Sunline RV or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 03:10 AM.


×