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myredracer's avatar
myredracer
Explorer II
Jun 10, 2019

Excessive receiver/shank play on new truck

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.
  • My 2.5" shank eventually rusted into the receiver and no longer slops around. Just takes a little time and salty roads.
  • myredracer wrote:
    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.


    The shank will be 2-1/2" where it fits the receiver, and the vertical area will be the same 2" to fit your ball mount. So yes, it will work.

    If you weld and still use the sleeve, note that the sleeve will be free to move as much as the clearance allows. That puts the fore and aft loading more than 1/4" apart, wearing the holes and possibly bending the pin.
  • Lynnmor wrote:
    myredracer wrote:
    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.


    The shank will be 2-1/2" where it fits the receiver, and the vertical area will be the same 2" to fit your ball mount. So yes, it will work.

    If you weld and still use the sleeve, note that the sleeve will be free to move as much as the clearance allows. That puts the fore and aft loading more than 1/4" apart, wearing the holes and possibly bending the pin.
    Decided we're getting a new 2-1/2" shank. I don't want to mess around with a band aid approach and end up having issues. Thx, you made it obvious what to do.

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