newb question about tow hitch and ball

[dfinn]

my truck has the factory towing package. It did not however come with a tow hitch or ball. I would like to tow a small car on a trailer in a month or so and I want to know what I need to buy for the tow hitch/ball. It looks like the hitch slides into the reciever and then a cotter pin type holds it in there, then you can multiple size balls thread into the hitch, at least that how the few that I looked at looked like. I'd like to know what specs for the hitch I need and what size balls are common( ).

Thanks
Dan

oh, this is for a '02 tundra

[GreyTRD03]

You'll need a class 3 hitch mount, 2in ball (or whatever ball works with your trailer) with 1in shank, should be good to about 6K lbs. Go here

[dfinn]

cool, thanks. I don't own the trailer, I'll probably rent it from a u-haul type place. Is 2" the standard, or most common?

[dfinn]

also is my hitch reciever 2"?

[GreyTRD03]

yes to both

[dfinn]

Originally Posted by GreyTRD03

You'll need a class 3 hitch mount, 2in ball (or whatever ball works with your trailer) with 1in shank, should be good to about 6K lbs. Go here

what exactly is the 1" shank? It appears all the ones for sale here:
http://www.drawtite-hitches.com/hitc...0Starter%20Kit
are 2" shanks. did you mean a 1" ball hole size?

[GreyTRD03]

for the hitch ball, the 1in shank is the diameter of the threaded portion, which requires a 1in hole in the ball mount; for the ball mount, the 2in shank refers to the size of the tube, 2in x 2in square tube...I'm not sure why they label it "Dia." on their website

[Tundra00]

If you are going to rent a trailer from u-haul, they will hook you up with the right receiver/ball combination to go with the trailer you get. I think they charged me something like $20 for the receiver/ball when I got mine.