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Tow balls, tow bars, tow ball hitches. These small extensions out of the back of your car go by many names. And there’s more than meets the eye to this essential towing tool. Getting a grip on tow ball sizes and other tow ball rules will ensure you get your load from A to B without a hitch (pun intended).
This guide will give more background to the video we’ve posted above. We’ll take a good look at the regulations for a tow bar or tow ball, including tow ball height, tow ball weight and, of course, tow ball sizes. That way, when you hire a trailer from us, you’ll be good to go. Here’s what we’ll go over:
Why it's important to consider what tow ball you have
Other legal obligations when it comes to tow balls
How to look after your tow ball
For those that aren’t in the know, what actually is a tow ball? As the name suggests, a tow ball is an essential ball that allows you to attach a trailer behind your vehicle. A tow ball is generally attached to the chassis of your vehicle.
The reason it’s sometimes called a tow ball hitch is because you hitch your trailer to the tow ball itself. As any keen DIYer or tradie would know, a trailer is a time and stress-saving piece of gear that helps to move materials and equipment. There are so many jobs that you can do after talking to us and booking a trailer hire.
Safety is the biggest reason why you need to ensure you have the proper tow ball for the job. Not just your safety, but the safety of other road users. Using the wrong tow ball or a tow ball that doesn’t have the right weight or isn’t the right size can lead to your car trailer swaying, becoming unbalanced, or worse, detaching all together.
Generally, it comes down to the weight distribution between your trailer and towing vehicle. If there’s a miss match, it can lead to a range of stability-related issues. A tow ball that’s too small may not be able to handle the weight of your trailer and load. A tow ball that’s too large can lead to less control when it comes to braking and steering.
Thankfully, there are only really two tow ball sizes at Hirepool and in New Zealand in general. Even better news, most of our trailers at Hirepool, whether a cage trailer or furniture trailer, have a multi-fit coupling. That means the coupling can fit either of the following sizes.
The standard 1 ⅞ tow ball hitch is a commonly used size that fits most trailers, caravans and boats. These particular tow balls are usually good for towing up to 1350kg. In most cases, the standard 1 ⅞ tow ball has a 47.6mm diameter and is secured with a bolt and nut.
Arguably more common is the 50mm tow ball. These tow ball hitches are also good for towing anything from a loaded furniture trailer through to a flat deck trailer loaded up with heavy machinery. 50mm tow balls are generally good to tow up to 3500kg. As the name suggests, this tow ball is 50mm in diameter. In most cases, they’re secured with a locking mechanism.
Top tip: If you need advice on which trailer you need, read our guide that helps you to find out what trailer is right for your towing job. We cover car trailers, transport trailers, luggage trailer hire and more.
There are a few technical things to consider when it comes to towbars. However, the main things you need to know are tow ball size, tow ball weight and tow ball height. The height of your tow ball will be fine when it comes to most vehicles in New Zealand. But it is worth checking. In New Zealand, the tow ball or tow bar hitch needs to sit somewhere between 250mm and 420mm for safety reasons. The exact recommended height may vary depending on the vehicle.
The reason height is important when it comes to tow ball is so that weight is distributed evenly. If the tow ball is too high, your trailer may tilt and put added weight on your car’s rear axle. If the tow ball is too low, it’ll be harder to control your vehicle and trailer on the road. All of the vehicles with a tow ball that are available to hire at Hirepool meet these requirements.
Weight is also important when it comes to tow balls and trailer hire. Towing connection is only one part of it. Your tow ball also needs to have the proper weight rating to tow your load. There are four classes for tow ball ratings in New Zealand. These include:
If you don’t meet these requirements, not only could it cause issues out on the open road, but your insurance may not pay out either if you were to have an unavoidable accident.
Top tip: If you’re planning to tow a heavy or special load, you may benefit from reading our guide on how to use a salvage trailer.
If your vehicle doesn’t have a tow ball already, you can get a tow ball installed. We think it’s best to leave it to a pro, as there are design and attachment specifications that need to be followed.
Once you do have a tow ball, there are also other legal requirements to keep in mind, aside from height, weight and size. These include the tow ball needing to be undamaged. This means it’s free of major dents and cracks. As well as that, the tow ball or tow bar installation must be done properly. This means that it is not loose.
Given that tow balls are often made from steel, alloy or even with chrome plating, it’s safe to say you should be careful around them. When you’re not using your tow ball or tow bar, it’s a smart idea to use a tow ball cover. A tow ball cover with a bright colour will hopefully prevent you from getting a nasty bruise on your shins. As well as that, it’s best to keep kids away from your tow ball or trailer to keep them out of harm's way.
When it comes to hitching and unhitching a trailer, you also need to be careful to prevent injury. It may be a smart move to wear gloves. Otherwise, watch your fingers when attaching or screwing any nuts and bolts. We’ve got an easy-to-follow guide and video on how to hitch and unhitch a trailer safely. It’s well worth a look. The last thing you want is for your trailer to detach while you’re out on the open road.
If your tow ball is damaged at all, don’t use it. Using a broken tow ball can cause an accident and damage your car or trailer. Thankfully, there are ways you can look after your tow ball so that it lasts the distance. Some maintenance tips and tricks include:
If you’re after ways to look after your trailer, read our blog that goes over trailer maintenance tips.
From hire vehicles to trailers, we’ve got you covered when it comes to towing. We know a fair bit about moving gear and materials from A to B, including everything about tow balls. View our range of trailers online now, including common car trailer hire, flat deck trailers and more.
For more towing pointers, read our guide that covers everything you should know about hiring a trailer or how to load a trailer. For any other advice to do with trailers or tow balls, reach out to your local Hirepool team. Our staff are on hand to offer their advice and help you with gear to help you get your to-do list ticked off.
