[AT] Trailer hitch ball mount

[Dick Day]

I recently bought a new Navigator as my business vehicle that will also double as my tow vehicle. My older Navigator sat 2" lower than the new one.  So, the 6"drop ball mount that I was using would not work. 

I debated about having a local welding shop fabricate a ball mount with an 8" drop for me, but I opted to buy one that was an engineered and tested product.

I had the local trailer shop order a Draw-Tite Class IV #4283 ball mount for me. When it arrived, the ball hole was too small by just a fraction of an inch, so they had to drill the opening to get the ball shaft to fit.  That concerned me, but then when I read the label and saw that it was made in China, I am now almost afraid to use it.

Any idea if Draw-Tite, or any of these companies, do any type of quality testing before these products are shipped?  Since the opening for the ball shaft was under-sized, I am guessing not.

If I use this, my life, and the lives of others driving near me will depend on the quality of the welds on that ball mount.

Will the reaming of the hole do anything to weaken this ball mount?

Am I being overly cautious?

Tractor reference:  I want to be sure this new tow vehicle is safe to use before I make the Nebraska/Missouri run to get a 1946 Huber :)

Dick Day

DDSS, Inc.
Software For County Government
83712 552nd Avenue
Norfolk, NE  68701

402-379-1606
http://dickdaysoftware.com/default.aspx