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Vehicles

CURT 40085 Raw Steel Trailer Hitch Ball

Curated from 156 real Reddit conversations

Refreshed on: February 8, 2025

CURT 40085 Raw Steel Trailer Hitch Ball

Brand: CURT
Price: $23
Snoop Score:
7.4
Sentiment
6.9
Popularity
9.3
Technical
7.2

Snoop's Take

The CURT 40085 Raw Steel Trailer Hitch Ball is a robust towing solution designed to handle heavy loads with a capacity of up to 30,000 pounds. Constructed from hot-forged steel, this hitch ball offers reliable strength and durability, making it suitable for various towing applications. Consumer feedback highlights the ease of installation when the rear bumper is removed, with one user noting, "If you get the Curt hitch (which I recommend) it makes it 10x easier if you take the rear bumper off before install." Many users appreciate the product's aesthetics, mentioning it looks great and has a lower profile design. However, some have pointed out challenges in installation, especially without the proper tools, and concerns about rattling during use. Overall, the CURT 40085 Trailer Hitch Ball is recommended for those seeking a reliable and visually appealing towing solution, despite some installation challenges noted by users.

Not for you? Check out our other rated Hitch Balls

If you get the Curt hitch (which I recommend) it makes it 10x easier if you take the rear bumper off before install.

Positive Feedback

Be warned that if you do it yourself, you're in for a hell of a time if you don't have a second set of hands to help you out.

Negative Feedback
Product
7.4
CURT 40085 Raw Steel Trailer Hitch Ball
RV Towing
10 / 10
Universal Fit
5 / 10
Heavy-Duty Use
10 / 10
Extended Durability
1 / 10
See how this compares to all Hitch Balls

What it does well!

Key strengths users can’t stop talking about.
Easier installation with bumper removal
If you get the Curt hitch (which I recommend) it makes it 10x easier if you take the rear bumper off before install.
Thanks for this tip! I’ve been planning on getting this Curt hitch soon, this is great info :)
Update: Sneak peek of one of the scenes in steel ball run trailer
Good appearance after installation
Looks great.
Adjustable trailer hitch ball
But it's pretty!
Lower profile design
The Curt has a much lower profile and is almost hidden under the bumper.
Reliable towing performance with heavy loads
Hitch ball mount
A thing of beauty. My Niro towed like a champ with around 2000 lbs trailer.
Not crazy expensive, plenty versatile, rated to 10k which works for my enclosed trailers when full of shit.
of a trailer hitch

Where it needs some work!

Areas to watch—feedback on possible improvements.
Installation requires widening access holes
Be warned that if you do it yourself, you're in for a hell of a time if you don't have a second set of hands to help you out.
Installation can be challenging without tools
This thing isn’t designed all that well.
Hitch can turn into rattle traps
Hearing a hitch going clunk, clunk, clunk is rather unpleasant.

Compare On All Talked About Dimensions

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Core Power Plays

The specs and strengths that make it shine.
Discussion about weight distribution and tongue weight calculations
Does the hitch ball/mount count towards my vehicles payload or will it go against my tongue weight limit.
I wouldn't sweat the ten pounds.
Also if that 440 lbs you mention is a spec off the manufacturer’s website, know that the real tongue weight will be higher once the trailer is loaded.
Dude... tongue weight is the farthest thing from an exact science.
Inquiry about hitch rotation
Do they rotate?

Hidden Hero Hacks

Unexpected tricks and side‑door uses you’ll love.
Discussion on adjustable hitches and their versatility
I can flip this and tow any of my three different ones.
you can adjust the height, and you can flip it to the inside to not have it stick out when not in use.

Buyer’s Cheat Sheet

What to check before you click ‘Add to Cart.’
Discussion on trailer hitch deals and savings
It's quite a discount vs. buying at e-trailer.com, which usually has great prices.
Paid $144 (tax).
This saved me quite a bit over my local etrailer price so I went ahead and ordered.
No issues.
Inquiries about installation ease
Yeah, seems like a sweet deal compared to what all the other stores are charging.
Is it easyvto install?
If it was me I’d go ahead and get the wiring harness installed at the same time.
Inquiries about cutting requirements for installation
You only need the wiring if you're getting one of the fancy new racks that have lights.
Discussion on hitch ball mount selection criteria
I’ve got the harness, the hitch, but need to choose a hitch ball mount and although I’m confident I’m way overthinking this, want to get a good one (not the craziest expensive one, lol).
B&W is made in the USA. Happy with my purchase.
get the one that is specifically for the multipro tailgate.
Expensive, but buy once cry once.
Discussion on Uhaul trailer hitch options and measurements
I'm considering these two. I'm not sure what I may pull in the future but one to get the right one that I can use for the Uhaul trailer as well as any possible future uses.
I’d just back your truck up to a trailer and see what would work best.
Thanks....I did measure my hitch height and it is 18.5" from the ground.
Discussion about different hitch options
I was wondering what kind of trailer hitch y’all might recommend if I want I get a trailer hitch mounted bike rack?
Curt 2” receiver is what comes up as recommended for mine.
Discussion about compatibility with different hitch setups
I don't think I could get a coupler on my ball as it stands in the picture.
I used a Curt angled one piece unit 2” ball for 1.25” receiver on my Drawtite bar.
I wonder how much that changes the placement, if at all.
Apparently it's called 'euro-style'.
Inquiries about towing capacity and manual recommendations
Wait so I can tow a trailer?! Manual said 0 so I figured don't mess with it.
What is the 'towing capacity'? Wanted to tow a kayak trailer.
Discussion on ball mount selection criteria
I was expecting Curt to have some recommendations on their site with regards to products to pair with their hitches... they do not.
this you gotta figure out for your purposes
Problem is if I bought a trailer that I would be towing more often I would have to check what height it would need to ride at and would buy a new ball mount that was properly sized for that trailer.
If you want in person advice you could go to a hardware/automotive store and ask.
Inquiries about compatibility of hitch sizes
Ahh thanks for that info, I thought this stuff was standard.
Inquiries about different hitch sizes and towing capacity
A consideration is the ball size on the hitch.
the balls swap easily. I stand corrected.
Confusion about hitch compatibility and types
What hitch is this? Went to buy a gooseneck ball and the guy at the trailer hitch shop and myself are confused?
I’m confused how the trailer hitch guy is confused 🤔 😅
My first thought as well, looks like one of the millions of B&W turnover hitches out there.
Yeah OP. Your hitch guy sucks. Go somewhere else.
Discussion on trailer hitch comparisons
I would be too embarrassed to park next to him.
That's not a hitch... this is a hitch.

Cautionary Callouts

Know the pitfalls before they catch you off guard.
Discussion on weight distribution hitches and towing capacity
What is the difference between these two Curt weight distribution hitches?
I pull a 36ft with it I don't get any fishtailing.
One of the few things I’m glad I paid the dealer to install.
I tow a 33’ with a ram 1500 and have no issues!
Discussion on installation challenges with aligning weld nuts
Now comes the hard part – aligning the holes. I thought I had it, with 3 bolts hand tight, but the 4th was a PITA, and I ended up cross threading it.
But THIS is why I come to Reddit. Thank you for this detailed description.
My OEM install has 12” clearance to the bottom so that would make the OEM hitch about 2” higher than this configuration.
Nice! Did you have to cut anything?
Discussion on UHaul installation experiences
Would you trust uhaul to do this job?
UHaul installed mine like 8 years ago, quick and easy.
They installed mine 2 days ago, quick and easy.
Some bolt on in 30 minutes, some take hours.

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