I recently bought a new HD tow vehicle and it has a 2.5 inch receiver. My current Reese WD set up has a 2" shank and I don't think the WD head will accept a 2.5" shank. I use a 2" adapter inside the 2.5 receiver for towing a lightweight boat but, I don't know if using an adapter with the WD system would be advisable. 6000 GVWR and 700 TW. What advice can you give me? TIA.
Receiver adapter question
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Rene T
Site Team
I also have a 2 1/2" receiver and I have a adapter like you. I just took a look at it and there is a sticker that says I can tow a 13,000 trailer with a tongue weight of 1500 lbs. I think that would take care of most any tag-a-long trailer.
xrated
Well-known member
Using a 2 1/2" to 2" adapter reduces your towing capabilities according to the manufacturer of the receiver. Check the tag that is on you truck's receiver and see how much it drops. I'm pretty sure that they vary from truck to truck brand.
grashley
Well-known member
Welcome to the Forum!
Here is a recent thread that thoroughly hashed out this topic. Very good information.
http://www.rvforum.net/SMF_forum/index.php/topic,112256.0.html
Bottom line: While the adapter will work, you may be happier with a new draw bar that is 2 ? inch to match the receiver.
Here is a recent thread that thoroughly hashed out this topic. Very good information.
http://www.rvforum.net/SMF_forum/index.php/topic,112256.0.html
Bottom line: While the adapter will work, you may be happier with a new draw bar that is 2 ? inch to match the receiver.
Rene T
Site Team
Here's a breakdown of the various class receivers put out by Reese.
https://www.reese-hitches.com/learning_center/general-towing-classes
The way I see it, you have a class 5 hitch and using a adapter which goes from 2 1/2" down to 2" will work just fine in your situation.
https://www.reese-hitches.com/learning_center/general-towing-classes
The way I see it, you have a class 5 hitch and using a adapter which goes from 2 1/2" down to 2" will work just fine in your situation.
John From Detroit
Well-known member
Most of the Bigger to smaller adapters I've seen are a simple sleeve with a hole in it.
The Sleeve goes into the 2 1/2" the 2" into the sleeve, line the holes up and insert pin.
I would not fear using a W/D system with this set up. NO loss of strength, the sleeve is under COMPRESSION load which is it's strongest aspect. no way it can fail since it is enclosed in the larger hitch receiver.. NOW that is under stress (Stretch) load but it is stronger than teh 2" so you are good to tow.
Now adapters to a SMALLER receiver. where you have an extension. THIS DOES NOT APPLY
But the ones that slip inside the receiver so you put a single pin through the receiver, reducer, hitch adapter, reducer, receiver, Stronger than you can imagine.
The Sleeve goes into the 2 1/2" the 2" into the sleeve, line the holes up and insert pin.
I would not fear using a W/D system with this set up. NO loss of strength, the sleeve is under COMPRESSION load which is it's strongest aspect. no way it can fail since it is enclosed in the larger hitch receiver.. NOW that is under stress (Stretch) load but it is stronger than teh 2" so you are good to tow.
Now adapters to a SMALLER receiver. where you have an extension. THIS DOES NOT APPLY
But the ones that slip inside the receiver so you put a single pin through the receiver, reducer, hitch adapter, reducer, receiver, Stronger than you can imagine.
Rene T
Site Team
John From Detroit said:
Exactly. I couldn't have said it better.
steveblonde
Well-known member
xrated said:
Your correct in that it may vary buy brand my 2013 had a sleeve but no difference in tow rating with or without the sleeve my Ford has a 3 inch reciever with 2 sleeves a 2 1/2 and. 2 inch but no markings on either sleeve - they are however a pain to line up to put the pin through so i leave my rock tamers on all the time with a locking pin lol
The shank on a 2 1/2 inch ball mount is a lot stronger for obvious reasons but the poster should be just fine in his aplication
Does the 3" receiver on Ford trucks have a 3/4" hole? I have read that they do. If that is the case, a 5/8" pin should not be used and the parts drilled for the 3/4" pin.
Anyway, there have been reports of bending pins when a spacer sleeve is used with a 2-1/2" receiver and a 2" shank. I use the correct size shank because it is stronger, has far less play and less chance of bending the pin. A spacer will float front to rear with the bending points 1/4" apart and will tend to enlarger the receiver holes as well.
Anyway, there have been reports of bending pins when a spacer sleeve is used with a 2-1/2" receiver and a 2" shank. I use the correct size shank because it is stronger, has far less play and less chance of bending the pin. A spacer will float front to rear with the bending points 1/4" apart and will tend to enlarger the receiver holes as well.
steveblonde
Well-known member
lynnmor said:
Using the correct size pin is a MUST NO EXCEPTIONS without it you woukd have a ton of play on the ballmount and break the pin in very short order- yes the Ford Sd 2017 and up takes a 5/8 pin And i always use a locking pin i have had kids mess around and almost lost atrailer and i did loss a set of brand new rock tamers after someone pulled the cotter pin and the ball mount and tamers fell out on the highway - lucky for me i had a 5th wheel attatched but the rock tamers were new and i think someone tried the steal them and got spooked
https://www.boltlock.com/find-your-lock
John From Detroit
Well-known member
IN cases where the pin size varies.. The adapters I have used (And I had one) there was a sleeve for the pin as well (Well 2 of 'em) so you put sleeve one on the pin, shoved it through, put the other sleeve on and locked it in place (Hairpin flip bar or key lock).
The only problem I have ever had is with that blasted hairpin.. a cable (Breakaway) snagged it and pulled it off, the big pin came out and DISASTER.. I tested the safety cables.. oh. they worked.
The only problem I have ever had is with that blasted hairpin.. a cable (Breakaway) snagged it and pulled it off, the big pin came out and DISASTER.. I tested the safety cables.. oh. they worked.
I guess this video answered my question. With the 3" receiver on recent trucks, the hole needs a 3/4" pin, using a 5/8" pin would be trouble. https://www.etrailer.com/p-38735.html
https://www.etrailer.com/Ball-Mounts/Reese/RP38180.html
https://www.etrailer.com/Ball-Mounts/Reese/RP38180.html
