TowRig.com - Diesel Discussion and Tow Tech

I thought I was a pretty smart man but this new ball of mine is kicking my @#$! I just bought a Napa 10,000 ball and unlike my last one does not have a spot above the nut for a wrench. When I try to tighten the nut the ball just spins. I thought about a pipe wrench but didn't want to damage th ball. What am I supposed to do??

I can usually hold mine by hand until the lock washer makes contact. Or use a pipe wrench on the base of the ball to keep it from yurning.

Use an impact. I usually just hold the ball and the impact sucks it in so hard that it holds itself, though if the threads are less than perfect, I have used a pipe wrench. Watcha worried about anyway? Don't you know what's gonna happen the first time you drop a hitch on there? :D

Good pointwaytogo

How about a rubber strap wrench until it is tight enough not to have to hold?

use the pipe wrench at the base of the ball. It wont hurt a thing. If you don't get it tight enough, being scared of scratching the ball would be a pretty poor excuse for loosing the load:eek:

I usually stick my balls in a vice and tighten the nuts down with a socket or pipe wrench. I don't like the impact cause it messes up the fine threads:doah:

I wince just reading that

an impactwrench should do it

Vise grips or a pipe wrench. Ya is scars the new shiny ball, but they are made to be used. I don't like those new ones with the huge hex on the base. I have 2 drop receivers (2" and 4") that they won't sit flat in. The receivers drop straight down, not out slightly like the newer ones.

I have a 2 5/16" gooseneck ball mounted to a forged receiver. It has a 1"tall base that is perfect for a 36" pipe wrench. Nuf said.