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What tow ball is right for your rack?
In New Zealand and Australia there is a multitude of tow balls floating around. From high rise, interchangeable, flat sided, and then ball size itself, tow balls literally come in all shapes and sizes. Our tow ball mounted bike racks all work by clamping onto the tow ball and using this clamping force to create enough friction in the connection to prevent the rack swinging on the ball. Consequently, having the right tow ball is paramount for creating a strong - and safe - connection to the vehicle. A poor connection can lead to damage to the rack, damage to the vehicle, damage to the bikes and in the worst of cases, total failure.
"having the right tow ball is paramount for creating a strong - and safe - connection"
Please use this resource article as a comprehensive guide to help you select the right ball for your rack and keep our roads safe.
Tow Ball Compatibility Chart
Standard 50 mm Round Ball |
Standard 50 mm Flat Sided Ball |
Round 1-7/8'' Ball |
European Gooseneck Ball |
50 mm High Rise Ball |
Interchangeable Ball |
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In the table below you will find real world examples of all these types of tow balls to provide greater context. These are single examples only and are not a comprehensive list of tow ball types. If you are at all unsure about what is right for your bike rack, please feel free to reach out to us.
Real World Examples of Each Tow Ball Type
Tow Ball Type |
Example |
|---|---|
Standard 50 mm Round Ball |
Image credit: trojan.co.nz |
Standard 50 mm Flat Sided Ball |
Image credit: haymanreese.com.au |
Round 1-7/8'' Ball |
Image credit: trojan.co.nz |
European Gooseneck Ball |
Image credit: repco.com.au |
50 mm High Rise Ball |
Image credit: trojan.co.nz |
Interchangeable Ball |
Image credit: trojan.co.nz |
Remember, using the right tow ball for your rack keeps your rack, your vehicle, your bikes and others safe. If you have any doubt about what tow ball you need, simply reach out to your friendly Ezigrip experts.
