The 12 Best Shank size Towballs (2023 reviews)

The ball is a must have addition for your regular usage. 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 is a solid piece of towing equipment that makes all others look like they're just spinning their wheels. 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.

This trailer hitch ball is rated to tow up to 15, 000 pounds gross trailer weight. It features a 1-1/4" shank diameter, a 2-5/8" shank length, 0" of rise and a nickel-chrome finish to protect against the elements. It is constructed from hot-forged, heat-treated steel for maximum towing strength and absolute confidence on the road ahead. These are available in various ball diameters and gtw capacities, and each one features fine threads for improved holding strength.

This hitch ball is finished in a durable, protective chrome plating. It is made with expert engineering to be packed with strength and durable enough to withstand the harsh wear of heavy-duty towing.

Why We Like This:

Chrome, stainless and raw steel options
Never exceed the lowest weight capacity of any towing component
Very nice balls for heavy-duty applications
Weight capacities ranging from 2, 000 to 30, 000 lbs

Best For mower: Curt much Weight

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The curt much weight's superior materials makes sure that it ages well with use. This trailer hitch ball is rated to tow up to 3,500 pounds gross trailer weight. It has a nice heft to it. It is constructed from hot-forged steel for reliable towing strength and confidence on the road ahead. It has a 3/4-inch diameter and measures 1-3/4 inches long for secure attachment to a trailer hitch ball mount. Threads come far enough up the shaft for use on a thin plate. It makes the hitch on the vehicle noticeable. It stays in place, firm and masterful.

Why We Like This:

Handy thing to have when moving yard stuff around
One of the new comers and featured product

Best With included nut: Curt Great Trailer Ball

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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 10, 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. 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 hitch. There are solid adaptors that you can but can fit into the 1-3/4 hole.

The nut that holds it on is almost as big as the ball itself. It does require a 450 ft lb torque wrench to properly install. If you have a class hitch, this is a must.

Why We Like This:

Excellent machining and great fit with the included nut and lock washer
Exceptionally sturdy trailer ball with a really big nut
Very good quality, heavy duty hitch ball
Very sturdy and well made ball mount

Best With Ball mount tongue sleeve: Curt Solid Ball

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This ball is rated to 6, 000 lbs. It is rated to pull a real trailer as opposed to the "add-on" choice which is only rated to 2K. It has a 1-inch diameter and measures 2-1/8 inches long for secure attachment to a trailer hitch ball mount. It is easy to tighten with flat sides.

It is a beefy 6, 000 lb rated 2" ball for towing a trailer, boat, etc. It comes with a D lock washer and installs easily. The flats keep the ball from rotating, but only if you also use the curt 45007 ball mount tongue sleeve as the hitch does not have any recess / tab to keep the ball captive. It is well manufactured and functions adequately as designed.

Why We Like This:

Excellent, solid ball, comes with nut and washer and installs easily
Solid trailer ball and easy install
Good investment for long term

Best For Good Quality Trailer Ball: Curt Chrome Ball

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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 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.

It's torqued smoothly and securely. 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. 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.

Why We Like This:

Fine threads for superior holding strength
Zinc-plated hex nut and helical lock washer for secure mounting
Good brand reputation

Best With regular Hitch wrench: Curt strongest Ball

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Compared with other products by Curt, the curt strongest ball has a convenient design. 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. 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 works with a regular hitch wrench. It fits like a glove and has a nut and a lock washer too.

Why We Like This:

Great hitch ball value and performance
Works like a ball you put on a hitch
Good brand reputation

Best Tow Ball: Curt Trailer Hitch Ball

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CURT stainless steel tow hitch balls are a premium option, offering superior rust resistance to heavy-duty towing applications. They make very capable products for light consumer use. The diagram to the right shows the various measurements of a trailer ball, which may be referred to in the following sections. For dependable strength, this trailer hitch ball comes with a zinc-plated hex nut and helical lock washer.

The gross trailer weight is the total weight of the trailer, while the tongue weight is the weight specifically at the coupling point. It has a 1-inch diameter and measures 2-1/4 inches long for secure attachment to a trailer hitch ball mount. This is a nice ball and finish. The CURT trailer balls are available in a wide variety of sizes and capacities.

Why We Like This:

Easy to install and rated 10k
Standard hitch ball sizes, including 1-7/8, 2, 2-5/16 and 3 inch
Good brand reputation

Best Stainless Trailer Ball: Curt Great Ball

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The sole purpose of a stainless trailer ball is to reduce unnecessary wear to the inside of the trailer coupler caused by a rusted ball. This is a great ball hitch. It's a trailer ball that's made of stainless steel. One of them is all stainless, in a matte finish, with stainless nut and lock washer. The nut and washer are magnetic.

This hitch ball is constructed from stainless steel, providing excellent strength while maintaining long. The ball looks well made and is stainless but the washer and nut aren't stainless, so they do eventually rust.

Why We Like This:

A must for salt water boat towing
Very good construction and fit is great
One of the new comers and featured product

Best Heavy duty Ball: Curt Tow Hitch Ball

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If you often find yourself confused about appropriate and satisfactory ball, this product is your end point. The CURT hitch balls with a raw steel finish are intended for heavy-duty towing applications. They 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. This ball will safely handle most loads with a 2” coupler. It is easy to attach to hitch.

This is perfect and works wonderfully. It works good if you have one of the older type car trailers with a 2" coupler and can weigh over 7000 lbs loaded. Their chrome finish over steel gives them solid resistance to rust and wear. It is the only 2" ball that you will ever need.

Why We Like This:

Great ball with a 12, 000 lbs rating
Delivers what they promise

Best For money: Curt Tow Ball

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The curt tow ball is the best desirable product on the market today. If you want a strong ball, this is it. 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 provides superior strength to get the job done. It will rust if left outside in the weather. It is also heat-treated to enhance its wear resistance for maximum durability. It is a big hunk of metal.

Why We Like This:

Great heavy duty ball, works great
One of the new comers and featured product

Best looking Hitch Ball: Curt Trailer Ball

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To promote the highest level of safety while towing, this CURT tow ball is tested to U.S. VESC specifications. It features a 1-1/4" shank diameter, a 2-5/8" shank length and a stainless steel construction to protect against the elements. The nut is zinc plated which adds corrosion protection while adding lubricity to the mating hardware.

This 2-5/16" trailer ball features a ball capacity of 15, 000 lbs. It is constructed from corrosion-resistant stainless steel for reliable towing strength and confidence on the road ahead. The platform must be at least 3/8” thick to be considered safe for towing, this CURT tow ball is tested to U.S. VESC specifications. This ball is no different and the 15k rating is perfect for any 14k trailer.

Why We Like This:

Plenty of dings and dents in the softer stainless
One of the new comers and featured product

Best For Sturdiness: Curt Hitch Ball

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This trailer hitch ball is rated to tow up to 20, 000 pounds gross trailer weight. It features a 1-1/4" shank diameter, a 2-3/4" shank length and a nickel-chrome finish to protect against the elements. They range in GTW capacity from 12, 000 pounds to 30, 000 pounds and feature a heat-treated construction for added wear resistance.

This hitch ball is heavy duty, high quality. It has a 1-1/4-inch diameter and measures 2-3/4 inches long for secure attachment to a trailer hitch ball mount.

Why We Like This: