Newest 2016 21BHS coupler ball size?

[spot1]

Welcome to the Forum! Did not see the answer to your first question on the LL CL 21BHS product page about current ball size.

On your second question:

We use the following with our Class IV 2" square vehicle hitch:

Purchased our Ultra Tow forged towing ball mount hitch & Ultra Tow ball from Northern Tool. You can purchase a 2" or 2 5/16" balls with 1 1/4" diameter shank from Northern Tool.

The 2" ball we use  with 1 1/4" diameter shank, item # 32787, is rated for 7,500 pound capacity. Northern Tool also has 2 5/16" balls with
1 1/4 diameter shank, item# 32792, rated @ 10,000 pound capacity.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/category_trailers-towing+hitch-balls

We use Ultra Tow forged towing ball mount hitch, item # 32710, set up for 1 1/4" diameter shank balls, and rated at 17,000 pound capacity.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/category_trailers-towing+ball-mount-hitches+single-ball-mount

Hope this helps!

[blairh]

[quote source="/post/18484/thread" author="@swilky" timestamp="1454870635"]FACTORY:

I have seen different answers here. What is the current coupler size being installed on the 21BHS?
The new specs show it as 5500lbs GVWR now.
That exceeds max 5000 lbs for 2 inch right?
[/quote]Hi Swilky, the coupler size being installed on the 14s, 16s, and 21s floorplans going forward is 2 5/16". The 2" coupler is no longer being installed

[charliem]

[quote source="/post/18740/thread" timestamp="1455639592" author="@blairh"]Hi Swilky, the coupler size being installed on the 14s, 16s, and 21s floorplans going forward is 2 5/16". The 2" coupler is no longer being installed
[/quote][font size="3"]That's great and welcome news. Are they also installing the side bolts? Tell me yes and I'll go away and sleep  8-) .[/font]

[gbpack]

No on the side bolts. Our new 21BHS didn't have them, so we had our dealer add them. Only took them a few minutes.
I would highly recommend doing it (as do many others on this forum).
GB

[djsamuel]

I would like to know the reason for the switch.  As an owner of a 2013 21BHS with a 2" hitch, it would be nice to know if there was a design issue.  I've towed it almost 8,000 miles so far with no issues; but if there is a potential problem I'd like to know.

[leslie]

I have a 2015 21-BHS with side bolts that I assume the dealer added, since it seems the factory doesn't. We took a trip each month last year, after my husband retired in April. We are now wandering around Central Florida for the winter, and we have had no problems with our coupler. Every time we hitch up, I am checking.

[gbpack]

I would like to know the reason for the switch.  As an owner of a 2013 21BHS with a 2" hitch, it would be nice to know if there was a design issue.  I've towed it almost 8,000 miles so far with no issues; but if there is a potential problem I'd like to know.

DJ - per the other threads that have appeared on this forum over the past year or so, it seems as though LL decided to go with the larger coupler on the larger trailers because some of the 2" couplers were bending during use. But LL is still not putting side bolts in the coupler, so that is something that many of us are having done (even if we have the larger coupler). Check out the other threads for detailed info regarding this and pictures of where to put the side bolts.
Gregg

[djsamuel]

[quote source="/post/18776/thread" timestamp="1455721691" author="@gbpack"][quote timestamp="1455672574" source="/post/18762/thread" author="@djsamuel"]I would like to know the reason for the switch.  As an owner of a 2013 21BHS with a 2" hitch, it would be nice to know if there was a design issue.  I've towed it almost 8,000 miles so far with no issues; but if there is a potential problem I'd like to know.[/quote]
DJ - per the other threads that have appeared on this forum over the past year or so, it seems as though LL decided to go with the larger coupler on the larger trailers because some of the 2" couplers were bending during use. But LL is still not putting side bolts in the coupler, so that is something that many of us are having done (even if we have the larger coupler). Check out the other threads for detailed info regarding this and pictures of where to put the side bolts.
Gregg[/quote]The threads regarding bent couplers were always pointing to the weight distribution system being used.  I've used the Andersen WDH with the 2" coupler and no side bolts and have had no bending at all, even thought I've taken the trailer from Florida to places as far away as Arizona and Utah.  However, Livinlite has always recommended against a WDH.  I'm wondering what drove LivinLite to make this change.  Was it to allow for all forms of WDH use, or did they discover another issue that may be lurking for those of us using the 2" hitch?

[ammobob]

One would hope it's just a case of them reading this forum and the issues others have posted. You would think that they would put out something in the form of a technical bulletin if there were true safety issues unknown to us. I have 4000 miles on my trailer with a 2" coupler, side bolts and an Andersom WDS and have seen no signs of bending.

[montedtrotter1]

I agree with Ammobob, I think LL sees some of the various issues owners post and if they can change them for minimal or no cost why not. They see that owners are using WDH's even when LL says they are not needed. I would not even think about taking my 21BHS on a trip without the WDH! I got the 2 5/16 ball as a result of this forum. The dealer put it on for me including the side bolts, no extra charge. Did I prevent a future problem who knows, but I do not even think about that issue now when I hook up.

[pinstriper]

Answer from factory for newest 21BHS coupler:

2-5/16 14000# Ram CA-5400-Z

Not sure if they are actually welding them now.


Specs:

    Ball size: 2-5/16"
    Jack hole diameter: 2-1/4"
    Overall dimensions: 12-7/8" long x 10-7/8" wide
    Pin hole diameter: 5/16"
        Minimum span needed for pin or pin lock: 7/8"
    Weight capacity: 14,000 lbs



CA-5400-Z Ram A-Frame Trailer Coupler - Thumb Latch - 2-5/16" Ball - Zinc - 14,000 lbs

[a href="https://www.etrailer.com/tv-Demo-etrailer-A-Frame-Trailer-Coupler-CA-5400-Z.aspx"]https://www.etrailer.com/tv-Demo-etrailer-A-Frame-Trailer-Coupler-CA-5400-Z.aspx[/a]

You can't weld steel to aluminum.

[blairh]

Sorry I haven't been on much lately, busy with many RV and Outdoor shows lately.

I've attached some images showing the 2 5/16" couplers and the bolt patterns associated for the (1) Camplite 14DBS, (2) Quicksilver Tents and (3) Quickilsver VRV 7x20. All those photos came from recently arrived 2016 trailers. I have a 2016 Camplite 21RBS here and the coupler is the exact same as the 14DBS. The couplers aren't welded (of course aluminum cannot be welded to steel), however only the toy haulers have the side bolts through the coupler. If their is concern of the couplers on the Camplite, side bolts can easily be added to match the toy haulers.

Hope this helps clarify.

[charliem]

[font size="3"]Blairh,

Thanks for the pictures. They bring two points to mind: a) why LL Thor doesn't put side bolts on the 21s to fix a known problem and, b) why the bolts on the TH are not further forward to maximize the mechanical advantage? Regardless, the heavier coupler is a good change.

[/font]

[billmoore]

[quote source="/post/18947/thread" timestamp="1456326887" author="@charliem"][font size="3"]Blairh,

Thanks for the pictures. They bring two points to mind: a) why LL Thor doesn't put side bolts on the 21s to fix a known problem and, b) why the bolts on the TH are not further forward to maximize the mechanical advantage? Regardless, the heavier coupler is a good change.

[/font][/quote]I don't think the bolts can go any farther forward, there isn't room. The two frame members come together just in front of where the bolt is located.

[charliem]

[quote source="/post/18948/thread" timestamp="1456334787" author="@billmoore"]I don't think the bolts can go any farther forward, there isn't room. The two frame members come together just in front of where the bolt is located.[/quote][font size="3"]I put the nuts inside the rectangular tubes at the front. As long as the tubes are not welded shut there is access. On my 21RBS there is no access behind the front vertical bolts so I had to put the side bolts up front. Better from a mechanical angle perspective and better because it does not compress and collapse the tubing. Blairh's third picture shows the frame tube extending considerably forward of the side bolt. But whatever works...............

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