Solid steel hitch balls are engineered to meet all safety requirements of VESC regulations V-5. When installing hitch balls: torque all 3/4" shank balls to 160 ft. lbs., all 1" to 250 ft. lbs., and 1-1/4" shank balls to 450 ft. lbs. Always use the properly rated hitch ball for your towing system.. 1. Your towing system's maximum wt. rating is always equal to the lowest rated item in the system.. 2. Your hitching system cannot be upgraded to a rating higher than the maximum rating of your hitch.