Just curius how many of you actually torque there trailer ball to the proper torque setting or do you just give it a snugg fit like I do. I would if I had the use of a torque wrench but those things cost so big money. Oh and while I'm thinking of it, do any of you use lock tight. on the threads..

Red locktite is a good idea.

Sears has some mid-priced torque wrenches you might think about. In addition to trailer stuff, it's a good idea to use one on lug nuts and other stuff.

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680 Rincon camo, Foreman headlight, xt30, guru bumper
500 Foreman FM green, 2500 warn
Kit Patio Hauler 295F 5th wheel
Ram 3500 Laramie quad 4wd

I checked out sears and for just a inch diameter they wanted like $1,300... And I think I needed like a inch and a half... I'm sure as you go bigger so does the price. Not the common tool I have laying around my garage... I dont think all the tools combined in my garage cost that... Anyway thanks for the advice on the red loctite. I figured I spelled that wrong. Anyway I'll get some tomorrow along with some ball grease...

I was thinking one of the cheaper torque wrenches would be adequate for hitches, lug nuts and what not (lug nuts on tandem axles need to be checked frequently).

Here is one with a 250 ft/lb range, 1/2 drive.

Crafstman 25-250 torque wrench

Torque wrenches are more accurate in the upper part of their range, so one of these with a 20-150 range might work better for what you want.

20-150 torque wrench

You probably get more accuracy with the super-high dollar ones, but one of the mid-quality ones is probably adequate, and way better than nothing. I'd avoid the no-brand junk ones.

If all you are ever going to do is install a trailer ball, then I wouldn't bother, but if you do some general mechanic stuff yourself, having a couple of torque wrenches is pretty much a must. A 3/8 drive one for smaller stuff is also nice to have around.

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680 Rincon camo, Foreman headlight, xt30, guru bumper
500 Foreman FM green, 2500 warn
Kit Patio Hauler 295F 5th wheel
Ram 3500 Laramie quad 4wd

That is a great price on the 1/2 inch ones. All I needed it for was the trailer ball and the nut on that is an inch and a half. Thanks for the hook up to the sears ones. If I ever need a 1/2 inch one I'll be sure and go there. Just the other day I was putting together a hitch and needed a 1/2 inch one, ended up taking back the hitch because it needed 3 different torque wrenches to put it together. since then I've decided to have one put on by a trailer company. Thanks again for the responce..

P.S. Just learned that you dont need 3 different size torque wrenches... LOL

put a pipe wrench on the nut and crank it down until you cant tighten no more, i have never torqued a ball down with a torque wrench, I haul bobcat trailers, 12,000lbs enclosed trailer for my plumbing work, and a 30ft camper, plus small trailers

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mine-02 400i manual
hers-96 425 magnum

watzupdog, what do you mean three different sizes of torque wrenches to assemble a trailer hitch?

It appears he is thinking the drive size of the torque wrench is the size nut it will fit. Apparently does not know you can put the size socket you need on the wrench.

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Plumb stock Prairie 360 cept for the winch, snowplow headlights, hard boxes, alarm system, snowplow and bucket mounts, trailer hitch, sprayer wiring, cow prod bumper, horn and extra tail/brake lights. Survival gear, fence fixing equipment, spare fuel and water racks, GPS, CB, fender bags, rifle boot, chain saw rack, rope rack and tire chains.

I support the Bill of Rights in it's entirety. Loose one, loose them all.

thats what i was wondering about. i've been in the automotive field for several years and never used anything bigger than a 1/2 inch drive torque wrench. that includes vehicles as big as the f-550.

Yeah, after reading that last reply I was wondering that, too.

If that's the case, then by way of explanation 1/2" refers to the size of the square drive that the wrench uses to drive sockets, extensions and so on.

1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" drive are generally used for automobiles and motorcycles, with 1" drive often being used in commercial trucks and equipment.

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680 Rincon camo, Foreman headlight, xt30, guru bumper
500 Foreman FM green, 2500 warn
Kit Patio Hauler 295F 5th wheel
Ram 3500 Laramie quad 4wd

Did not know that the wrench could be fit with different size fittings for different size nuts. When I went to put together a multi fit reese trailer hitch it had 3 different size nuts that needed to be tighten down to different torque settings. I called autozone as they have loaner tools and they said that all they had was a 1/2 inch one and not a 3/4 one, with them saying that I figured each torque wrench came in its on size as does just a common wrench.... Thanks for the info..

I have never used a tourqe wrench on a trailer ball. I just use a air wrench and
tourqe it down as far as it will go.

Now that I can really believe. Makes me still laugh to think about it but I went to a local Autozone and ask the girl behind the counter where the fuses were. She gave me a look that can only be described as vacant and said "You'll have to go to a hardware store for those". Ask for the manager, he was gone for the day. Stopped in a few days later and talked to him. He said the turnover was horrible and it was impossible to hire good help with what they paid. If you want knowledgeable counter help I have had good luck at the NAPA stores in various areas and most CAPS stores are good. Schuck's, well it depends on the store you hit. Good luck and may I suggest you spend some time in a hardware store that sells tools. Most of the stuff is self explanatory.

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Plumb stock Prairie 360 cept for the winch, snowplow headlights, hard boxes, alarm system, snowplow and bucket mounts, trailer hitch, sprayer wiring, cow prod bumper, horn and extra tail/brake lights. Survival gear, fence fixing equipment, spare fuel and water racks, GPS, CB, fender bags, rifle boot, chain saw rack, rope rack and tire chains.

I support the Bill of Rights in it's entirety. Loose one, loose them all.

agree, thats what i use and works fine.

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07 Scrambler
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