Have a new-to-us '12 GMC 2500HD and tow a TT with Reese DC WDH. I am guessing hitch play has been discussed ad nauseum. The truck has a heavy duty trailering package option with a 2" receiver insert.There sure seems to be a lot of excess play. I measured the size difference between receiver and shank to be over 1/16". I don't care about vertical movement, but I have to wonder about side-side movement and the effect on the WDH or shank or receiver wear.Wondering if a shim is available or maybe I could make one up from sheet metal? Or is this amount of play something to just forget about? Have a Blue Ox immobilizer clamp but won't fit on the GM receiver tho. Not sure it would work anyway with that amount of play.

Lose the adapter piece (actually keep it for in a pinch situations) and get a 2-1/2" shank hitch for your new truck. Other wise over time, if you tow any decent weight or with any frequency, the receiver pin holes will wallow out and the hitch pin will bend.

If you have a 2-1/2" receiver, get a 2-1/2" shank. I used a sleeve for a short time before upgrading the shank, it made a considerable difference.

You need a good anti rattle device so you don't get so much play in the receiver,thus magnifying the movement and doing more damage to the receiver.I have tried almost every Anti Rattle device on the market, most have been no good or so complicated and cumbersome that they are useless. Including the Roadmaster type,totally useless,as is all that have been mentioned here.Until I found the one at Hitch Rider. Their Hitch Vice is the best and easiest one I have come across and it really works.

Excessive receiver/shank play on new truck | Good Sam Community

Grit_dog
Navigator
Jun 10, 2019
Lose the adapter piece (actually keep it for in a pinch situations) and get a 2-1/2" shank hitch for your new truck. Other wise over time, if you tow any decent weight or with any frequency, the receiver pin holes will wallow out and the hitch pin will bend.
VoodooMedicineM
Explorer
Jun 10, 2019
You need something like this.
blownstang01
Explorer
Jun 10, 2019
This is the one you need Link
Lynnmor
Explorer
Jun 10, 2019
If you have a 2-1/2" receiver, get a 2-1/2" shank. I used a sleeve for a short time before upgrading the shank, it made a considerable difference.
IAMICHABOD
Explorer II
Jun 10, 2019
You need a good anti rattle device so you don't get so much play in the receiver,thus magnifying the movement and doing more damage to the receiver.

I have tried almost every Anti Rattle device on the market, most have been no good or so complicated and cumbersome that they are useless. Including the Roadmaster type,totally useless,as is all that have been mentioned here.

Until I found the one at Hitch Rider.

Their Hitch Vice is the best and easiest one I have come across and it really works.
myredracer
Explorer II
Jun 10, 2019
Lynnmor wrote:
If you have a 2-1/2" receiver, get a 2-1/2" shank. I used a sleeve for a short time before upgrading the shank, it made a considerable difference.
Hmm, that may be the better solution. Only $147 @ etrailer. No worries tho., it's just more $$ in the past week, lol! :B

Can someone confirm if the shank would need to be for the Reese DC hitch? Our TT is still 5 hours away from us waiting to get towed home so I can't go out and look at the WDH.
SidecarFlip
Explorer III
Jun 10, 2019
Just lay some weld bead on the shank and grind to a snug fit. Issue solved.
myredracer
Explorer II
Jun 10, 2019
blownstang01 wrote:
This is the one you need Link
That's the one we have now. The way GM has the insert tight up against the 2-1/2" opening and there's no lip for the immobilizer to "catch" onto.

VoodooMedicineMan wrote:
You need something like this.
Same thing with this one too.

Either would be a cheaper solution that a new shank tho.
myredracer
Explorer II
Jun 10, 2019
SidecarFlip wrote:
Just lay some weld bead on the shank and grind to a snug fit. Issue solved.
That's an idea! I have a MIG welder but it's only 135 amps and not enough heat. There is a welder guy nearby I use sometimes that could do it for cheap.
LarryJM
Explorer II
Jun 10, 2019
IAMICHABOD wrote:
You need a good anti rattle device so you don't get so much play in the receiver,thus magnifying the movement and doing more damage to the receiver.

I have tried almost every Anti Rattle device on the market, most have been no good or so complicated and cumbersome that they are useless. Including the Roadmaster type,totally useless,as is all that have been mentioned here.

Until I found the one at Hitch Rider.

Their Hitch Vice is the best and easiest one I have come across and it really works.

I agree 100% and have been using the Hitch Vice for over 10 years with EXCELLENT results. IT SIMPLY WORKS where others play a distant catch up and fall short.

Larry

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Excessive receiver/shank play on new truck

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