Broke my hitch pin today

Whangler wrote:

Lynnmor wrote:
Since the 3" to 2" adapter places the load points 1/2" apart, that is asking for trouble. Also, 3" receivers require a 3/4" pin, but you probably used a 5/8" because that is what fits 2" shanks. Reese has sent much production to China and it would be a good idea to avoid those products.

I've never liked that 3"-2" adapter set up. Think I'll visit the welder when I get home for some mods to the receiver.

There is maybe some misinformation in your posts.
First, glad you had everything hooked up right and kept the trailer rubber side down! Probably need a new drivers seat cushion after that. I would!

1. Unless it’s an aftermarket hitch, your truck has a 2.5” hitch.
2. The pin got fatigued from being bent due to the adapter sleeve. Common issue with the use of adapter sleeves. Never broke one, but I’ve cutout several bent ones out of our job trucks. Those things are dangerous and they’ll destroy the pin holes in your receiver.
3. I looked on etrailer and believe your correct. No 3” wdh shanks. Likely because anything with a 3” hitch (exclusive to Ford OEM afaik) shouldn’t need a wdh. I’m not even sure there are aftermarket 3” hitches. I believe it’s just a Ford gimmick. Although I believe the bolt spacing on a lot of drop hitch shanks is “universal”, so you should be able to replace the shank with a 3”, if needed.
4. It’s possible it was a defective pin, but highly unlikely and your failure is an expected symptom of using an adapter sleeve which allows a bending moment to be put on the pin, rather than just shear, as designed.

If you really do have a 3” hitch, don’t go farking it up at the corner welding shop. The hitch and truck will hold your camper and if it’s tongue heavy enough to need weight dist for the springs, beef them up and haul the trailer without a wdh. It’s likely a placebo anyway.
If none of that works, get a 2.5” receiver if you just gotta have a wdh. They’re not that expensive. But please confirm you have a 3” hitch first.

Side note, most “RVers” will chit all over my last recommendation as they feel they need a wdh with sway control without exception, kinda like a baby and it’s blanky and binky.
But if you don’t believe me or the rest of the world that hardly ever uses them, watch every TT you see being hauled by a transporter. 99.5” chance he has no wdh on it. And he probably tows 50 of them a year!