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50 mm Tow Hitch Ball – M22 Bolt (13 cm Shank), up to 1500 kg
This tow hitch ball is a key component of any towing system, allowing a secure connection between your trailer and vehicle. The sphere’s diameter is 50 mm, which is the standard size in Europe for passenger vehicles and trailers up to 3.5 tons gross weight. Specifically, this hitch ball is suitable for loads up to about 1500 kg, covering the weight of most trailers pulled by cars – from small cargo trailers and boat trailers to medium caravans.
Construction: The ball is made of high-strength steel, usually forged or precisely machined, to withstand heavy loads and shock forces (such as braking, accelerating, road bumps). The surface is chrome-plated or zinc-plated. A chrome finish gives a shiny look and excellent corrosion resistance, while a zinc (galvanized) finish (dull grayish color) also provides very good protection against rust – both types of coating resist weather, salt, and general wear.
Bolt and mounting: At the base of the ball is an integrated M22 threaded bolt (22 mm thread diameter). The bolt’s length is 13 cm (130 mm), making it long enough to mount on various tow bar plates: some hitches have thick steel plates or sandwich-style mounts, so the longer bolt allows you to thread through and secure properly. Included in the package are the necessary M22 heavy hex nut (often a self-locking type or one used with a lock washer) and a spring washer (lock washer) that goes under the nut. The washer prevents the nut from loosening due to vibration.
Capacity: The approximate maximum towing capacity of this ball is 1500 kg (1.5 tons). This makes it suitable for virtually all trailers that a passenger car or SUV would tow: typical caravans, camper trailers, single-car transport flatbed trailers, small construction material trailers, ATV/motorcycle trailers, boats of moderate size, etc. However, always ensure the other components of your tow hitch setup (the bar itself, bolts to the chassis, etc.) are also rated for at least this load.
Installation: Installing the ball is relatively straightforward and can be done with basic tools:
- Insert the shank of the hitch ball through the hole in your vehicle’s tow bar mounting plate (standard plates have one or two holes ~22.2 mm diameter for this purpose).
- From beneath, place the spring lock washer onto the bolt, then thread the nut on.
- Tighten the nut with an appropriate wrench (usually 32 mm for M22) or socket until the ball is extremely secure and there is no play. It’s advisable to apply the torque specified by the manufacturer (for example, around 200–300 Nm) to ensure the joint is tight enough. The lock washer will compress slightly – that’s normal, as it provides tension to fight loosening.
After installation, the protruding part of the bolt and nut will be under the vehicle. Make sure they don’t interfere with anything (for example, a spare tire or chassis component). If the bolt is very long and leaves a lot of threads sticking out past the nut, you might consider trimming the excess, though it’s not necessary unless it causes an issue.
Safety and use: Always periodically check that the hitch ball’s nut is tight. Under heavy use (lots of towing, especially on rough terrain) or after the first few tows, it’s good to re-tighten it, as sometimes it can seat in and loosen slightly. This hitch ball is designed to handle high vertical tongue weight (typically 75 kg or more, depending on class) as well as dynamic forces – it will be the link between your car and trailer, so always keep the ball clean and lightly greased (or use a hitch ball cover) for smoother motion inside the trailer coupler and to prevent the surface from rusting.
As a standard universal 50 mm ball, this product is compatible with all makes and models of vehicle tow hitches that have a 22 mm bolt hole. It’s an indispensable part of your towing equipment – if your vehicle has the tow bar and mounting plate but no ball installed yet, this part will complete the system and allow you to hitch up a trailer, boat trailer, or other coupler-equipped attachment.
