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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.
  • IAMICHABOD's avatar
    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.
  • Lynnmor's avatar
    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.
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    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.

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