The 12 Best Shank Diameter Trailer Balls (2023 reviews)

The ball is a must have accessory for your daily usage. Whether you’re towing a full-size travel trailer or a simple utility trailer, you can rest assured in the reliability of your curt towing connection. Curt offers custom trailer hitches, electrical products and a complete line of towing accessories to get you there with confidence and enjoy every mile of the journey. It features a 1-1/4" shank diameter, a 2-3/4" shank length and a nickel-chrome finish to protect against the elements.

This hitch ball is finished in a durable, protective chrome plating. It is constructed from hot-forged steel for reliable towing strength and confidence on the road ahead. It is made with expert engineering to be packed with strength and durable enough to withstand the harsh wear of heavy-duty towing. It is a solid piece of towing equipment that makes all others look like they're just spinning their wheels. The thickness of the mounting structure is also vitally important, whether that mounting structure is a curt ball mount, fixed-tongue trailer hitch or a bumper.

Why We Like This:

Zinc-plated hex nut and helical lock washer for secure mounting
Fine threads for superior holding strength
Never exceed the lowest weight capacity of any towing component

Best For mower: Curt Excellent Ball

Buy on Amazon

We know from years of feedback from readers, customers and amazon sellers, what most people want in a convenient and appropriate ball. The product is exactly that - it's a simple product that hits all the right notes. There are four key factors that must be considered when selecting a trailer hitch ball for your towing setup. This trailer hitch ball is rated to tow up to 3,500 pounds gross trailer weight. It has a three-quarter inch threaded shaft instead of 1 inch. Threads come far enough up the shaft for use on a thin plate. It's shiny and it fits.

This is a good hitch ball that has a shank size of 3/4 inch. The lock ring keeps the nut from coming loose. It fits nicely on trailer hitch.

Why We Like This:

Nice finish has the smaller size bolt
Simple ball for hauling flat bed, boat, whatever else takes a 2in ball
Good brand reputation

Best With Ball mount tongue sleeve: Curt Solid Ball

Buy on Amazon

Compared with other products by Curt, the curt solid ball has a convenient design. This ball is rated to 6, 000 lbs. It allows a smaller wrench than does a six sided style. It is a round piece of steel with a big nut on the bottom. It comes with a lock washer to tighten it on. The nut and the shaft's threads work well together, and the lock-washer does its job.

These are available in various ball diameters and gtw capacities, and each one features fine threads for improved holding strength.

Why We Like This:

Well made, thick shank for confidence, fits class iii and atv
Works great, plenty strong, highly recomended
Nice finish, smooth threads, good locking washer

Best With included nut: Curt Great Trailer Ball

Buy on Amazon

Compared with other products by Curt, the curt great trailer ball has a convenient design. If you have a class hitch, this is a must. It's a 2" Trailer ball with a 1 1/4" shank diameter. It fits with the included nut and lock washer. The nut that holds it on is almost as big as the ball itself. It can be used on a trailer hitch.

This 2" ball is heavy and fits perfectly. It is designed to handle heavy loads. There are solid adaptors that you can but can fit into the 1-3/4 hole.

Why We Like This:

Very sturdy and well made ball mount
Good investment for long term

Best For High Weight Capacity Ball: Curt much Weight

Buy on Amazon

For a low asking price, curt much weight has managed to overwhelm their customers by packing as many features as they could. This trailer hitch ball is rated to tow up to 30, 000 pounds gross trailer weight. It has a 1-1/4-inch diameter and measures 2-5/8 inches long for secure attachment to a trailer hitch ball mount. It is also heat-treated to enhance its wear resistance for maximum durability. It is great for big or small loads.

This is a heavy duty product,very substantial. It is constructed from hot-forged steel for maximum towing strength and absolute confidence on the road ahead. It will rust, it is raw steel. The unfinished metal will rut if you don't cover and grease it but this is a great ball. It provides superior strength to get the job done.

Why We Like This:

A must for towing heavy loads
High capacity ball for heavy trailering
Very strong and shows minimal wear after tons of heavy towing

Best For riding lawn mower: Curt lawn tractor Hitch Ball

Buy on Amazon

Curt atv tow balls and lawn tractor hitch balls allow you to turn your all-terrain vehicle or tractor into a useful work machine. The shank of the trailer ball has 5/8" diameter to fit a trailer ball tongue on the back of your four wheeler, utv or lawn mower or a standard ball mount. It is great for using a mower to move a 6x8 trailer.

To ensure that this atv tow ball / lawn tractor hitch ball can keep up with you and your hardworking vehicle, it is thoroughly tested to U.S. Vesc v-5 specifications, promoting safe towing whatever your task may be. The trailer ball itself has a diameter of 2 ", allowing it to fit virtually any 2 " trailer coupler. It can pull the utility trailer with no problem. It is constructed from hot-forged steel for dependable strength on your next project.

Why We Like This:

Good quality in a trailer hitch ball
Works for an atv and light trailer
New and hot release

Best With regular Hitch wrench: Curt Hitch Ball

Buy on Amazon

This trailer hitch ball is rated to tow up to 12, 000 pounds gross trailer weight. It features a 1" shank diameter, a 2-1/4" shank length, 0" of rise and a nickel-chrome finish to protect against the elements. It fits like a glove and has a nut and a lock washer too. The ball diameter must be at the upper end of tolerance, as it is difficult to connect and disconnect the trailer.

This Curt ball is of high quality and its stated rating informs the operator of it’s safe load capabilities. It has a 1-inch diameter and measures 2-1/4 inches long for secure attachment to a trailer hitch ball mount. The hitch ball appears to be very well made, and heavy duty.

Why We Like This:

Works like a ball you put on a hitch
Great hitch ball value and performance
Delivers what they promise

Best For Good Quality Trailer Ball: Curt Trailer Ball

Buy on Amazon

Nothing particularly unique about this ball, it's just a well made, heavy duty, reliable part as usual from Curt. This trailer hitch ball is rated to tow up to 7,500 pounds gross trailer weight. It has a 1-inch diameter and measures 2-1/8 inches long for secure attachment to a trailer hitch ball mount. It torques smoothly and securely.

It features a 1" shank diameter, a 2-1/8" shank length, 0" of rise and a nickel-chrome finish to protect against rust and scratches. The bike rack has ‘claws’ that lock onto a hitch ball, and for the claws to close there must be enough space around the neck of the hitch ball. The use of 2 wrenches for tightening is a nice feature.

It's shaft diameter is perfect fit, but make sure you have a big enough wrench on hand to grip the nut.

Why We Like This:

Good brand reputation
Good investment for long term

Best Stainless Trailer Ball: Curt Great Ball

Buy on Amazon

Curt has been making great ball for years, thanks to a combination of clever design and appropriate materials. This trailer hitch ball is rated to tow up to 6, 000 pounds gross trailer weight. It features a 1" shank diameter, a 2-1/8" shank length, 0" of rise and a stainless steel finish to protect against rust and scratches. It is constructed from corrosion-resistant stainless steel for reliable towing strength and confidence on the road ahead.

This ball is very high quality with a high load rating. These are able to tow most standard-duty and heavy-duty trailers such as utility trailers, boat trailers, campers, livestock trailers and recreational vehicle trailers for hauling atvs, snowmobiles, personal watercraft and more. The ball looks well made and is stainless but the nut and washer appear to be chrome.

Why We Like This:

Stainless steel, should look nice and last a long time
Great ball which stands up to corrosion better than most others
Looks great, hoping for no rust
All stainless including nut and lock-washer

Best Heavy duty Ball: Curt Tow Hitch Ball

Buy on Amazon

If you often find yourself scrambling for convenient and suitable ball, this product should be your first option for buying. This ball will safely handle most loads with a 2" coupler. It comes with its fine-threaded shank, this 2" trailer ball also offers an added measure of holding strength and provides smooth installation and torqueing. It is constructed from hot-forged, heat-treated steel for maximum towing strength and absolute confidence on the road ahead.

These are able to tow most standard-duty and heavy-duty trailers such as utility trailers, boat trailers, campers, livestock trailers and recreational vehicle trailers for hauling atvs, snowmobiles, personal watercraft and more. It is easy to attach to hitch. It works good if you have one of the older type car trailers with a 2" coupler and can weigh over 7000 lbs loaded.

Why We Like This:

Great ball with a 12, 000 lbs rating
Chrome, stainless and raw steel options
Standard hitch ball sizes, including 1-7/8, 2, 2-5/16 and 3 inch
Weight capacities ranging from 2, 000 to 30, 000 lbs

Best For money: Curt Trailer Hitch Ball

Buy on Amazon

If you often find yourself confused about convenient and suitable ball, this product is your solution. For heavy-duty towing applications, raw steel provides superior strength to get the job done. This trailer hitch ball is rated to tow up to 25, 000 pounds gross trailer weight. It features a 1-1/4" shank diameter, a 2-5/8" shank length, 1" of rise and a raw steel finish to protect against the elements. It will rust if left outside in the weather.

The CURT trailer balls are available in a wide variety of sizes and capacities. They range in GTW capacity from 12, 000 pounds to 30, 000 pounds and feature a heat-treated construction for added wear resistance. It is a big hunk of metal. If you want a strong ball, this is it.

Why We Like This:

Great heavy duty ball, works great
Good investment for long term

Best For tractor bucket: Curt Tow Ball

Buy on Amazon

The curt tow ball is capable of outshining several other products featured in this list in overall features in its price range. It is nice to have guys make simple items that work in sizes that you need. To promote the highest level of safety while towing, this CURT tow ball is tested to U.S. VESC specifications. It has a 1-inch diameter and measures 3 inches long for secure attachment to a trailer hitch ball mount. The gross trailer weight is the total weight of the trailer, while the tongue weight is the weight specifically at the coupling point. For dependable strength, this trailer hitch ball comes with a zinc-plated hex nut and helical lock washer.

The CURT 2-5/16" trailer ball does not mess around. Their chrome finish over steel gives them solid resistance to rust and wear. It is great for rental vehicles.

Why We Like This: