Reciever size

I have yet to see a hitch-bar at the larger size.... just p/u a sleeve for less than $20, and go with it.

hotpepperkid wrote:
The newer trucks seam to come with the larger receiver size, seams your not suppose to use a WDH if you have to use a sleeve in the receiver. Anything to that and why

First I've heard of such a restriction. Not sure how a reducer would have any effect on a WD hitch once set up properly.

and I've used a reducer for my smaller trailer for over 25K miles with no issues.

My bigger trailer has a 2.5" stinger so it's not an issue.

and the instruction for both my WD hitches, which came out well after the 2.5" became available make no mention of reciever configuration other than the reciever must be capable of handling the trailer tongue weight and overall weight.

Fire Instructor wrote:
I have yet to see a hitch-bar at the larger size.... just p/u a sleeve for less than $20, and go with it.

I have a Blue Ox 2.5". All major manufacturers have them. I switched from the 2" because I was tired of messing with the sleeve knowing at the worst time possible I would misplace it.

I have a class V hitch with 2.5 inch receiver. Decided to use the 2 inch sleeve and use a 2 inch shank. Glad I did because I broke down in the middle of nowhere. Had to have a tow truck come out to tow truck and TT. Tow truck put my truck on the flat bed, and had to use my hitch to hook the TT up to the tow truck. If I had a 2.5 inch shank, the tow truck would not have been able to tow the TT as he had a 2 inch receiver only.

I welded the sleeve in the hitch so it's not going anywhere.

Mike

After you wallow out the hitch pin holes on the receiver or have to cut the bent hitch pin out you'll realize why it's not the best way to go, using a reducer sleeve.
It works for casual towing no problem and maybe longer term for some but it's not ideal. On the up side now that everyone is getting their 2.5" hitch shanks now Ford has a 3" hitch!

hotpepperkid wrote:
The newer trucks seam to come with the larger receiver size, seams your not suppose to use a WDH if you have to use a sleeve in the receiver. Anything to that and why

Haven't heard you're not supposed to use a sleeve. But, I can say when I got my RAM with 2.5" receiver I tried to use a sleeve and was very unhappy with the amount of slop. I bit the bullet and bought a new drop shank with a 2.5" shank diameter.

I've heard of some getting an adapter sleeve then having a shop weld it to the shank to eliminate much of the slop.

KJ

LIKE2BUILD wrote:

I've heard of some getting an adapter sleeve then having a shop weld it to the shank to eliminate much of the slop.

KJ

Yup. That's what I did. Shop suggested first using a bolt, and welding a nut on the bottom of the receiver. Thread bolt through the nut, through the 2.5inch receiver, and push against the sleeve to lock it down. I didn't like that so I just went straight to welding it in.

Works fine.

Mike

Walaby wrote:
I have a class V hitch with 2.5 inch receiver. Decided to use the 2 inch sleeve and use a 2 inch shank. Glad I did because I broke down in the middle of nowhere. Had to have a tow truck come out to tow truck and TT. Tow truck put my truck on the flat bed, and had to use my hitch to hook the TT up to the tow truck. If I had a 2.5 inch shank, the tow truck would not have been able to tow the TT as he had a 2 inch receiver only.

I welded the sleeve in the hitch so it's not going anywhere.

Mike

My Blue Ox came with the 2" and they shipped me the 2.5" for free. The 2" is in the trailer storage compartment so if i do breakdown I can always remove a couple bolts and switch if I need to. Anyone who upgrades would be wise to keep the old 2" for this very reason.

The main reason some don't advise it is slop. You can't get a perfect slop-free fit between any shank and the receiver, and a reducer sleeve adds another fit and another source of slop.

There is no law against using the reducer sleeve. You won't get pulled over and ticketed, arrested, admonished, or otherwise inconvenienced. It is simply that SOME sources advise against using the reducer sleeve because of the slop.

If you use the reducer sleeve and notice excessive clunking, that's your problem. If you use the reducer sleeve and one day can't get the pin out because it's bent, that's your problem.

The oem mopar sleeve has no warnings or restrictions I'm aware of. I have pulled my tt 3 times with it now without issue. As for slop, i don't see much at all with mine. I needed an extended drop shank when i bought my new ram, and i didn't see any with enough drop with the 2.5" shank. The ones i did see were very high priced. I'm happy with my 2" but to each their own