Multiple Airstreams? What do you do for hitching?

[mello mike]

I own two Airstreams, one a 1972 the other a 1958 (which I just bought). The '72 uses a 2 5/16" hitch ball while the '58 uses a 2" ball. What do you do for hitching up your Airstreams? Do you have separate hitches for each one? Or just use a 2" ball on one hitch to use for both? Just curious.

[wkerfoot]

Originally Posted by mello mike

I own two Airstreams, one a 1972 the other a 1958 (which I just bought). The '72 uses a 2 5/16" hitch ball while the '58 uses a 2" ball. What do you do for hitching up your Airstreams? Do you have separate hitches for each one? Or just use a 2" ball on one hitch to use for both? Just curious.

I switched the Liner, formerly a 2" ball, to a 2 5/16" ball. One hitch for both.

Bill

[RickDavis]

I use a different head for each size. You DO NOT want to use a 2 inch ball on the one that requires 2- 5/16. The other option is to have a 2- 5/16 coupler welded on the older trailer in place of the 2 inch

[Shacksman]

I have a seperate setup for each trailer. They seem to like their own hitch better.
Don't use a 2" ball for a 2 5/16" trailer, it can come apart!

[mello mike]

Originally Posted by RickDavis

You DO NOT want to use a 2 inch ball on the one that requires 2- 5/16.

Right, but I was thinking about buying a 2" ball rated for 8,000lbs for my Equal-i-zer and modifying the coupler lock on the '72 to close tighter? Is it possible to make this modification?

[RickDavis]

Originally Posted by mello mike

Right, but I was thinking about buying a 2" ball rated for 8,000lbs for my Equal-i-zer and modifying the coupler lock on the '72 to close tighter? Is it possible to make this modification?

Not a chance I would want to take. A 2-5/16 coupler is not all that expensive. Not sure what a welding shop would charge to install since I do that sort of stuff myself.

a normal 2 inch coupler can not be counted on to stay on a 1-78 ball as a friend of mine can testify when they had a breakdown and the wrecker co. hooked it to a 1-7/8 ball. I guess their insurance covered it, but they lost a really nice vintage trailer, and that was only 1/8 difference.
You might be a able to pick up another suitable hitch head at a flea market also.

Not enough money involved here to take a chance on losing a trailer or causing some one else to be hurt

[overlander64]

I have three tow vehicles and two trailers and each requires a slightly different drawbar setup. I keep separate hitch heads for each coach/tow vehicle combination in my garage - - simplifies last minute changes in plans since each coach has a different hitch height and angle as well as ball size - - and each vehicle need a differnt drop or rise in the drawbar. It wasn't as expensive to accomplish as one might think as I purchased the hitch heads at WBCCI International Rally Flea Markets over the years. The biggest problem has been matching up weight distribution bars that don't require resetting the Dual Cam Sway Control hardware on the trailer'r A-Frame. . . .

Kevn

[bobfowler]

It's easy for us, the Argosy is a 2 5/16 ball and needs a WD hitch. The Base Camp is a 2" ball and no WD necessary, so I just have a bar set up with a ball for that one.

[mello mike]

Originally Posted by RickDavis

Not a chance I would want to take. A 2-5/16 coupler is not all that expensive. Not sure what a welding shop would charge to install since I do that sort of stuff myself.

a normal 2 inch coupler can not be counted on to stay on a 1-78 ball as a friend of mine can testify when they had a breakdown and the wrecker co. hooked it to a 1-7/8 ball. I guess their insurance covered it, but they lost a really nice vintage trailer, and that was only 1/8 difference.
You might be a able to pick up another suitable hitch head at a flea market also.

Not enough money involved here to take a chance on losing a trailer or causing some one else to be hurt

Thanks, Rick. Just wanted to see if doing this was feasible and safe. I'll just buy another hitch for my '58.

[RickDavis]

One more thought I had overlooked. There are changeable balls available. Basically a vertical pin and 3 different size balls that can be dropped onto the pin. The one I have says it is rated for 10,000 lbs. I keep mine on a regular hitch insert for dealing with utility trailers, boats etc.
I found it at a farm supply store. Changing the ball is just a matter of pushing a pin and dropping another one on. Might check Tractor supply or a local co-op to see if it might work for you