Step Bumper Trailer Ball Shank Problem

[Stewart Long]

I've got a brand new 2019 Ford Ranger XL and have been adding some things onto it and have run across this problem that the hole in the step bumper for the trailer ball and the tube that runs through it demands that the shank be at least 4" long to mount the 1-7/8" ball.

The normal length is something like 3" long.

I cannot find a 4" long shank for a 1-7/8" ball.

Has anyone else run into this problem and how did you solve it?

Where can I buy a 1-7/8" x 4" shank trailer ball?

Thanks.

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[Rinn69]

Can you post a pic ? The pics I found of non-tow package bumpers look pretty standard, like a regular ball would fit just fine. Also, make sure you get the right shank diameter

 

[Stangman570]

I've got a brand new 2019 Ford Ranger XL and have been adding some things onto it and have run across this problem that the hole in the step bumper for the trailer ball and the tube that runs through it demands that the shank be at least 4" long to mount the 1-7/8" ball.

The normal length is something like 3" long.

I cannot find a 4" long shank for a 1-7/8" ball.

Has anyone else run into this problem and how did you solve it?

Where can I buy a 1-7/8" x 4" shank trailer ball?

Thanks.

Tractor Supply is where I picked mine up. Worked great but be forewarned, my boat trailer hit the bumper in a tight turn radius. Had to extend the tongue length on the boat trailer. I pulled great and zero issues using the stock bumper. However, I will be upgrading the the factory tow bar this summer just for greater ease of swapping balls for different trailers I have. Loved how this Ranger pulls.

 

[The Long Ranger]

I had the same situation with my 2" ball. I thought it was gonna be too long but I can't even start the nut on it. I'm not that concerned about it since I will soon order the Ford tow bar.

 

[Stewart Long]

Can you post a pic ? The pics I found of non-tow package bumpers look pretty standard, like a regular ball would fit just fine. Also, make sure you get the right shank diameter

Will do on the pictures if I can figure out how to post them here. Newbie to the forum.

It looks like its a 1" diameter hole, but it's that long 3" piece of pipe running through the bumper that eats up the normal 3" long shank leaving nothing to get a washer, lock washer and nut on to secure the ball. Therefore a request for a 4" shank.

I don't plan on using this truck to tow much (lawnmower trailer when I have to move something light).
Bought it solely for utility work around the house and save the 2018 F-150 Lariat with cap on it.

The 2018 F-150 is set-up for my car trailer and heavier loads.

The question is how do you get that ball mounted when that piece of pipe is so long and the 1-7/8" ball shank is the same length?

Ford must have known owners were going to run into this.

Thanks.

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Hi Stew,

Could you show us a picture of what is in the way of attaching the ball?

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

 

[The Long Ranger]

Here's mine.

 

[The Long Ranger]

The sleeve

 

[P. A. Schilke]

The sleeve

Hi Steve,

Will the nut fit up into the collar? It looks like this collar is to protect the nut from damage...otherwise the collar adds some stiffness to the step bumper locally. Usually there is also a lock washer...will the lock washer fit up into the collar as well?

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

 

[Texasota]

When I towed my boat with a Ranger it was very apparent that I was going to need a ball mount with a 6-8" drop. Mounting a ball on the bumper is going to be even worse. Won't most trailers be difficult to tow with a hitch ball mounted on the bumper? Seems like the trailer tongue will be sky high and the rear of the trailer will be close to dragging on the ground.

 

[Rinn69]

I'd take it to the dealer and ask them to find a ball that will work. That's a weird design.....the hole should be a standard size (1/2", 5/8" or 3/4") so a standard size ball shank will fit into it with very little "slop". It looks like a 1.25 or 1.5" hole all the way through. Ford messed this up BAD !!!

 

[The Long Ranger]

Hi Steve,

Will the nut fit up into the collar? It looks like this collar is to protect the nut from damage...otherwise the collar adds some stiffness to the step bumper locally. Usually there is also a lock washer...will the lock washer fit up into the collar as well?

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

Hey Phil! The answer is no. Neither the washer nor nut will sink into the sleeve. It appears to be designed for a large 'barrel' type nut. It would need some kind of bushing to prevent slap in the collar.

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Hey Phil! The answer is no. Neither the washer nor nut will sink into the sleeve. It appears to be designed for a large 'barrel' type nut. It would need some kind of bushing to prevent slap in the collar.

Hi Steve,

This is really weird and appears to be really stupid. I really need to understand this collar arrangement...there must be a story behind its necessity but what is it? I thought the step bumper was quite thin and thought it had to do with weight, so maybe this is a reinforcement, but how do you get a trailer ball to fit and tighten up.... Something is certainly not clear to me here... I have the same arrangement on my non class 3 step bumper. Now the ball shown in this tread is only 2½" length stud, but a three inch would not cut it either. Rule for fastener lengths at the time I was at Ford was three threads exposed below the nut. Reason is that the first two theads on a fastener are imperfect so for proper clamp, the design dictated that three or more threads be exposed.

Is there a Ford approved 1 7/8" ball in the accessory catalog?

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

 

[The Long Ranger]

The thread size on my trailer ball is 3/4". The collar size on the bumper is 1 1/16".

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