Longer Shank Effects On WD Hitch
This weekend I am going to switch from a 12" shank to a 18" shank so I can open my tailgate while I am hooked up. How much difference will this make on the settings or stress on the WD hitch and re...
Forum Discussion
One subtle point which was brought up by Huntingdog in those links was how do we know that drawbar lengths including up to the longest that has been available for decades have not already been cosidered for the WC configuration in the stated max capacities on receivers. This would completely eliminate any need to provide confusing multiple numbers when using the various length drawbars even if this small addtional length if it is actually additional impacts any stated receiver capacities which IMO is still not clear.
I will just repeat again simply using a longer length drawbar for a WDH system WILL NOT EFFECT or CHANGE the stated receiver capacites such as max TW or max tow weight. Now you obviously have to use a drawbar rated for whatever load you need and this includes limiting your tongue wt. when using these 2 hole multiple TW drawbars such as the Reese mentioned in the above posts.
Finally on this multiple hole drawbar with multiple TW capacities, I could easily see where a 5/8" hole (which is the size of most hitch pins) thru a 2" drawbar could weaken the drawbar if that hole is beyond the hole that secures the drawbar into the receiver. Removing a 5/8" section in a 2" drawbar would be basically removing approx 5/16 of the mass at the point and a significant amount of the designed strength of approx 30% so derating the normal 2" strength because of that hole is logical. NOW THAT MAKES SENSE at least to me.
Larry
I will just repeat again simply using a longer length drawbar for a WDH system WILL NOT EFFECT or CHANGE the stated receiver capacites such as max TW or max tow weight. Now you obviously have to use a drawbar rated for whatever load you need and this includes limiting your tongue wt. when using these 2 hole multiple TW drawbars such as the Reese mentioned in the above posts.
Finally on this multiple hole drawbar with multiple TW capacities, I could easily see where a 5/8" hole (which is the size of most hitch pins) thru a 2" drawbar could weaken the drawbar if that hole is beyond the hole that secures the drawbar into the receiver. Removing a 5/8" section in a 2" drawbar would be basically removing approx 5/16 of the mass at the point and a significant amount of the designed strength of approx 30% so derating the normal 2" strength because of that hole is logical. NOW THAT MAKES SENSE at least to me.
Larry
