I'm using my old Equal-i-zer hitch from my old Tundra which had a 2" receiver. Of course my 2016 Ram in my sig has the 2-1/2" receiver. I'm using the slide in adapter supplied with the truck. I've discovered it's very easy to slide out the Equal-i-zer shank and ball and forget about the adapter, meaning the adapter falls out somewhere on the road and you can't hitch up.Has anyone come up with a trick to keep the adapter either with the shank or keep it in the receiver? I've thought of various things like tack welding, installing a set screw, etc, but was looking for some idea that I have not thought of.

I keep mine in the sleeve all the time. I keep a locking hitch pin through it all the time. The reducer sleeve never comes out of the 2 1/2 inch shaft. Never.

I did the same as DutchmenSport above for the past several years when my truck came with the 2.5 inch receiver.Barney

An anti-rattle device such as:https://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Anti-Rattle/Gen-Y-Hitch/325-GH-063.html

DutchmenSport wrote:I keep mine in the sleeve all the time. I keep a locking hitch pin through it all the time. The reducer sleeve never comes out of the 2 1/2 inch shaft. Never.Thought of that, but was afraid of theft. Could use a locking pin, but then must not lose the key! :)

CarnationSailor wrote:An anti-rattle device such as:https://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Anti-Rattle/Gen-Y-Hitch/325-GH-063.htmlOnly problem with that part is if you are reducing from 2-1/2" to 2" like I am, you need to by 2 sleeves, one for each size (according to eTraier.com). That's over $50

Ideas on Not Losing the 2-1/2" Hitch Adapter | Good Sam Community

CharlesinGA
Explorer
Jul 30, 2018
Ron3rd wrote:
DutchmenSport wrote:
I keep mine in the sleeve all the time. I keep a locking hitch pin through it all the time. The reducer sleeve never comes out of the 2 1/2 inch shaft. Never.

Thought of that, but was afraid of theft. Could use a locking pin, but then must not lose the key! :)

https://www.boltlock.com/locks/5-8-inch-receiver-lock/5-8-inch-receiver-lock-chrysler

Charles
rwess
Explorer
Jul 27, 2018
I changed my Equal-i-zer hitch to a 2 1/2 shaft to help get rid of the wobbles and it still wobbles!
Grit_dog
Navigator
Jul 23, 2018
Walaby wrote:
Welded mine.

So you permanently attached a weaker part to your truck? Sweet!
If you sell it, the new owner will surely think that's awesome too.
Walaby
Explorer II
Jul 20, 2018
Welded mine.
APT
Explorer
Jul 19, 2018
I would spend the $ on the correctly sized ball mount/shank. I have heard of a few other problems that are more important to me than losing the adapter.

Otherwise, I would tack weld the adapter to your current ball mount, not the truck's receiver. You may not have plans today to need/prefer a 2.5" ball mount, but there are far too many things you cannot control that I would not limit your future with that choice today.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Jul 18, 2018
Or I almost forgot the easiest way to not loose it....take it out when not using the trailer hitch?
Grit_dog
Navigator
Jul 18, 2018
Ron3rd wrote:
Thanks for the ideas. Trying to avoid dropping big bucks on the 2-1/2" shank if possible. The locking pin might be an idea.

If losing the adapter is an actual concern....
1. buy a spare
2. What other non issues are you "worried" about?
3. Buy the correct hitch shank for your receiver. *(For this one, you'll thank me when it is bigger bucks, or at least more of a pain the @ss to cut the rusted adapter out of the receiver or remove that bent pin from using a band-aid adapter and then have the holes wallered out on your receiver as a side gift for using the adapter.)

* Note: If you totally baby your truck/hitch and never tow heavy or accelerate hard, brake hard, hit large bumps or potholes or do anything else to stress the hitch pin connection then #3 may not be an issue for you. But it's easy to bend a pin with the adapter in use.
1995brave
Nomad
Jul 18, 2018
Mine is a one key by Bolt Lock and uses the ignition/door key from my truck to lock and unlock. No need for extra keys to lose.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Jul 18, 2018
1995brave wrote:
You can get a locking hitch pin that will program to your truck key. Got mine on Amazon.

Lol, junk, unless maybe you don't take your truck out of the sun belt down there.
Ron3rd
Explorer III
Jul 18, 2018
B.O. Plenty wrote:
Since I have no plans for anything bigger than a 2" shank I think a tack weld is in order.

B.O.

Considered that too.