When you're pulling a heavy gooseneck trailer, livestock hauler, or oversized load, the hitch ball is the last place to cut corners. The B&W Hitches HB94004 is a forged steel 2-5/16 inch hitch ball rated to 30,000 lb, built around a 2-1/4 inch shank diameter to fit the heavy-duty receivers and gooseneck hitch systems that Class A and Class C motorhomes, heavy pickup trucks, and commercial tow vehicles demand. If your current ball is worn, corroded, or undersized for the trailer you're connecting, this is the direct replacement to reach for.
B&W Hitches has manufactured towing components in Humboldt, Kansas since 1987. Their hitch balls are forged -- not cast -- from high-strength steel, then heat-treated for consistent grain structure throughout. That matters when you're at 30,000 lb gross trailer weight on a two-lane highway. The HB94004 is designed for applications where standard 2-inch or light-duty 2-5/16 inch balls simply aren't rated for the load.
The 2-5/16 inch ball diameter is the standard for heavy gooseneck couplers, fifth-wheel gooseneck adapters, and many weight-distributing hitch heads used on large travel trailers and horse trailers. Paired with the 2-1/4 inch shank, this ball seats into heavy-duty receiver shanks and Turnoverball-style gooseneck hitch platforms that require a larger shank for adequate thread engagement and clamping force.
Rated for the heaviest gooseneck, livestock, and commercial trailer applications where standard hitch balls fall short.
Matches standard heavy gooseneck couplers and fifth-wheel gooseneck adapters used on large trailers and horse haulers.
Larger shank fits heavy-duty receiver shanks and B&W Turnoverball gooseneck hitch platforms requiring maximum thread engagement.
Forged, not cast -- heat-treated for uniform strength throughout the ball body and shank. Built and rated for repeated heavy-load cycles.
B&W offers hitch balls in multiple shank diameters and GTW ratings to match the specific hitch platform and coupler pairing. The HB94004 sits at the top of the lineup -- maximum ball diameter (2-5/16 inch), maximum common shank size (2-1/4 inch), and maximum GTW rating (30,000 lb). This is the ball you need when:
Lighter-duty B&W balls (HB93769, HB93770, HB94003 families) use 1 inch or 1-1/4 inch shanks for standard 2 inch receiver applications. The HB94004 is specifically for the 2-1/4 inch shank class.
The 2-1/4 inch shank on the HB94004 is the correct size for B&W's own Turnoverball gooseneck hitch platforms and other heavy-duty under-bed gooseneck systems that require a larger-diameter shank for proper seating and torque retention. Always verify the required shank diameter on your specific hitch platform before ordering.
This ball is appropriate for the following applications:
The HB94004 includes the hitch ball only. The retaining nut is included (standard with B&W hitch balls). A separate receiver shank, gooseneck hitch platform, or hitch insert is NOT included. Verify your hitch platform's required shank diameter and thread pitch before installing.
Proper torque on the retaining nut is critical at this load rating. Use a torque wrench -- do not rely on feel or impact driver alone. B&W specifies torque values for each ball/shank combination; follow the torque specification stamped or documented with your hitch platform. Apply anti-seize compound to the shank threads if operating in high-corrosion environments (coastal, road salt), but keep anti-seize off the ball surface itself to avoid contaminating the coupler grease.
A 30,000 lb hitch ball does not automatically authorize a 30,000 lb tow rating. Your coupler, gooseneck hitch platform, vehicle frame, and hitch receiver must all be independently rated at or above your actual trailer gross weight. Never exceed the lowest-rated component in the towing chain.