Can the Hitch Ball on the Curt Towing Starter Kit Be Removed with One Tool

Question:

Does this ball mount have something similar to the Interlock system by Reese where you only need one wrench to tighten/loosen? Im looking for a ball mount for a 2014 mitsubishi outlander.

asked by: David

Expert Reply:

The Curt Towing Starter Kit part # C45554 will require more than one tool to tighten or loosen the hitch ball, you need an open-ended wrench, adjustable wrench, or table vice to hold the hitch ball and then a socket and ratchet to tighten the nut on the bottom. There isn't a recessed shape in the top of the ball mount to prevent the hitch ball from turning when tightening like on the Reese InterLock Ball Mounts. However, the hitch ball on the above kit comes pre-torqued for you so you don't need to worry about any of this unless you change the hitch ball.

I will say that most hitch balls require 250-500 ft lbs of torque so most people will just take the ball mount and hitch ball to a shop as they will tighten them for a very small fee. The Reese InterLock becomes less convenient when it requires a very expensive torque wrench to tighten the hitch ball down. The shop is just going to stick it on a vice to tighten anyway.

expert reply by: Conner L