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Old 02-01-2010, 09:03 AM   #1
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Falmouth , Cornwall
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Lightbulb Brit needs your ball size!

Hi I'm a new boy to this. My first A/S is a 1970 27' Overlander currently in the middle of the Atlantic on route to Southampton UK.
I've a Range Rover tow veh. which has a 50mm (approx. 2") diameter ball hitch . What am I likly to be coupling with? I've heard the US use 1 7/8".
I dont want to loose it on its first run. Thanks in advance.
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Old 02-01-2010, 09:15 AM   #2
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We use an LR3 to tow a 1976 and a newer version. Both use a 2-5/16" ball.
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Old 02-01-2010, 09:30 AM   #3
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For 1970 it should be a 2" ball, unless it has been modified.

Enjoy the caravan, and please be sure to post up some pictures of your new rig with tow vehicle when you have a chance to get it out caravanning.

-Marcus
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Old 02-01-2010, 09:31 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by a-mul View Post
Hi I'm a new boy to this. My first A/S is a 1970 27' Overlander currently in the middle of the Atlantic on route to Southampton UK.
I've a Range Rover tow veh. which has a 50mm (approx. 2") diameter ball hitch . What am I likly to be coupling with? I've heard the US use 1 7/8".
I dont want to loose it on its first run. Thanks in advance.

Welcome to the forum. You might want to take a look at this thread http://www.airforums.com/forums/f238...ns-55174.html:)
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Old 02-01-2010, 09:32 AM   #5
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utee... Airstream changed to the 2 5/16" ball when the body style changed in 1969. All 1969 and newer trailers have this size ball unless modified.
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Old 02-01-2010, 09:35 AM   #6
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utee... Airstream changed to the 2 5/16" ball when the body style changed in 1969. All 1969 and newer trailers have this size ball unless modified.
If you say so-- a couple of 1970s that I looked at before buying my 1963 appeared to have the 2" ball, and they did not appear to be modified, but I've never owned a 70s so wouldn't know for certain.

For the original poster, it definitely should not be 1 7/8". That size is indeed sometimes used in the USA, but usually for older, smaller utility trailers and boat trailers.

-Marcus
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Old 02-01-2010, 10:37 AM   #7
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I've learned that on the main model-change years you can be surprised to find older stock parts used in place of where you would expect to find the newer size/style part. For instance, we have a 1969 Sovereign with a 2" ball hitch rather than the 2 5/16 inch size that was supposedly standard size for that year. We're discovered several curiosities such as this and ours was an un-restored unit.

The dealer we purchased it from advised that the factories were using up the old stock of parts before using the new parts. Ours was an early numbered model for that change-over year so I would believe it . Makes good economical sense to me, use up the old stuff before rolling out the new.
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Old 02-01-2010, 12:16 PM   #8
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My 1969 Tradewind has a 2" ball while my 1973 Safari has the 2 5/16" ball
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Old 02-01-2010, 12:23 PM   #9
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Heh, well there you have it I suppose.

So, it is probably a 2 5/16" ball, but might be a 2" ball, and should not be the 1 7/8" ball that the original poster was concerned about.

-Marcus
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Old 02-01-2010, 01:42 PM   #10
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a-mul

Will one of these fit your Range Rover, either 2" or 2.5/16".

If so PM me and I will give you an address in the UK for a supplier.

Comes in pin sizes 3/4", 1" and 1.1/4".

John in the UK
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Old 02-01-2010, 02:40 PM   #11
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I can't believe the respose. Thanks every one. I'm Going to try and get an 2 5/16" to have as a back up to my 2" when I arrive at the dock.
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Old 02-01-2010, 02:43 PM   #12
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Many thanks,

Quote:
Originally Posted by WK57ABF View Post
a-mul

Will one of these fit your Range Rover, either 2" or 2.5/16".

If so PM me and I will give you an address in the UK for a supplier.

Comes in pin sizes 3/4", 1" and 1.1/4".

John in the UK
The address would be a great help.
I'll join the UK forum
Thanks again
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Old 02-01-2010, 02:47 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Silverhobby View Post
utee... Airstream changed to the 2 5/16" ball when the body style changed in 1969. All 1969 and newer trailers have this size ball unless modified.
Just to add to the confusion. My 1969 Ambassador came with a 2" ball. It had never been modified, bought it in 72. My 21 1970 Globe Trotter requires a 2 5/16 Ball. Also stock so I would guess The ball size change took place between these 2 years.
Unless they overlapped model years?
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Old 02-01-2010, 02:49 PM   #14
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Quote:
Brit needs your ball size!
Um... how about dinner or flowers first??

Make sure that you use the actual size called for (as soon as you figure that out) - no substitutes. This is an important safety issue.
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Old 02-01-2010, 03:31 PM   #15
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a-mul :

The company's name is Gold Services Ltd. not far from you at Alton in Hampshire!!

Their web address is Motor Home from Gold RV. Hope they can help you out.

Be good to see you on the UK forum.

John in the UK
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Old 02-01-2010, 04:14 PM   #16
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gee I'm embarrassed, mine seem smaller than most
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Old 02-01-2010, 04:33 PM   #17
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Um... how about dinner or flowers first??
I'm glad a Moderator made that joke first.

Between "ball size" and "What am I likly to be coupling with?", I was having a difficult time finding finding an appropriate answer.
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Old 02-08-2010, 11:01 AM   #18
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Thumbs up I found a 2 5/16"

Great! first problem solved. I got the ball from Watling -towbars UK, very knowlegable And have been recomended an additional front hitch for manouvering the vans offset to the passenger side.
Thanks again
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Old 07-06-2011, 09:27 PM   #19
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ball size

Quote:
Originally Posted by arodriguez60 View Post
My 1969 Tradewind has a 2" ball while my 1973 Safari has the 2 5/16" ball
I TOO have a 69 tradewind with 2" ball and 73 Safari with 2 5/16 ball !!!...should have seen me trying to fit that tradewind on my safari hitch when I bought it...I just would not accept the difference...I had a 64 with the 2" ball that hurricane Fran destroyed...glad I kept the hitch...
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Old 07-07-2011, 04:42 AM   #20
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Hi there,

Congrats on the purchase and shipping over. I may have to check-in with you on who you shipped with, cost, and how it looked on arrival.

I've been dutifully advised that our '68 Overlander needs to be shipped over to the UK for European adventures.

I'll be on the look out to purchase something smaller for our US trips.

All best wishes

Y

Quote:
Originally Posted by a-mul View Post
Great! first problem solved. I got the ball from Watling -towbars UK, very knowlegable And have been recomended an additional front hitch for manouvering the vans offset to the passenger side.
Thanks again
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