Hi all, I have an old caravan with an imperial hitch and I need to change it for a metric one. Firstly, is it possible to change just the ball joint part and secondly does anyone know where I can get the ball joint or whole hitch please ?
Cheers and happy camping !
Going back to 1960s original imperial towball size was 2inch which is 50.8mm. After that metric size 50mm was introduced. I'm somehow guessing that vintage UK built caravans are towed ok with 50mm ball & a quick internet search finds info that confirms plenty seem to tow US trailers with 2inch hitch with 50mm ball. There are often vintage caravans, 1960s Carlights & so on on ebay that appear to have the original hitch & these are towed on the road.
2inch towballs are available in UK to fit US vehicles but fitting 2 inch ball to modern UK car would be problematic as it would not be type approved but 2inch ball could be fitted to UK commercial vehicle as type approved towbar not required for commercials.
If you do want to change hitch on caravan then you would need to unbolt entire hich assembly & fit more modern hitch as complete assembly including over run & handbrake with brake rod modified to suit. This most likely will involve drilling holes in top of chassis which is ok provided no holes are drilled in side of chassis.
Old B&B hitches available here. It does not say what size.
Quote: Originally posted by wyedruid on 12/10/2016
Hi all, I have an old caravan with an imperial hitch and I need to change it for a metric one. Firstly, is it possible to change just the ball joint part and secondly does anyone know where I can get the ball joint or whole hitch please ?
Cheers and happy camping !