I need a longer shank for my Equal-i-zer so that my tailgate will clear the A frame jack. In researching several of the major manufacturers (Curt, Eaz-lift, Equalizer etc.) the prices vary from about $70 to $150. All that I looked at are rated at 14,000#.Why the big differrence in price for similar shanks?

joshuajim wrote:I need a longer shank for my Equal-i-zer so that my tailgate will clear the A frame jack. In researching several of the major manufacturers (Curt, Eaz-lift, Equalizer etc.) the prices vary from about $70 to $150. All that I looked at are rated at 14,000#.Why the big differrence in price for similar shanks?Without giving the actual references to the shanks you are talking about your question is IMPOSSIBLE to answer with any possible level of accuracy. That's like asking why one 3/8" drill costs $50 and another similar 3/8" drill costs $200 ... not the greatest example, but illustrates what I'm trying to say.Larry

LarryJM wrote:joshuajim wrote:I need a longer shank for my Equal-i-zer so that my tailgate will clear the A frame jack. In researching several of the major manufacturers (Curt, Eaz-lift, Equalizer etc.) the prices vary from about $70 to $150. All that I looked at are rated at 14,000#.Why the big differrence in price for similar shanks?Without giving the actual references to the shanks you are talking about your question is IMPOSSIBLE to answer with any possible level of accuracy. That's like asking why one 3/8" drill costs $50 and another similar 3/8" drill costs $200 ... not the greatest example, but illustrates what I'm trying to say.LarryThey are all 2x2 solid shanks with the same length and approximately the same drop and rise. Does that make it clear to you? This isn't rocket surgery.

Because that is the way it is, different manufacturer, different price.Same as one store selling an item for $10 and another store selling the same item for $15.

As already said, we don't know what you have been looking at.I will say that there are different grades of steel. I have even seen some shanks that appear to be cast. They tend to be cheaper.I do not know if any of this applies to the ones you have been looking at, but it at least gives you some questions to ask about the materials used, so you can decide if that is the reason for the price differences.

Huntindog wrote:As already said, we don't know what you have been looking at.I will say that there are different grades of steel. I have even seen some shanks that appear to be cast. They tend to be cheaper.I do not know if any of this applies to the ones you have been looking at, but it at least gives you some questions to ask about the materials used, so you can decide if that is the reason for the price differences.As per my previous post, all the shanks are made by the major manufacturers and are of similar size and construction. Even if I provided specific items, no one would be able to decern the differences from a picture or manufacturers data.The steel is of no consequence as even the lowest grade of steel including cast steel would have a tensile and shear strength of over 100,000# for a 2x2 bar. The suspect items could be weld quality or or possibly fatigue failure. Fatigue failure is not likely as the bar is only subject to a very small percent of its 100,000# capacity.Now given the above information, does anyone have an answer?

WD shanks | Good Sam Community

30 Replies

joshuajim
Explorer II
May 24, 2016
LarryJM wrote:
IMO the reluctance of the OP to give us the info about which specific shanks he is talking about tells me this is most likely a BOGUS question and is a troll post.

Larry

I guess that means that you can't answer it... so spin it!
LarryJM
Explorer II
May 23, 2016
IMO the reluctance of the OP to give us the info about which specific shanks he is talking about tells me this is most likely a BOGUS question and is a troll post.

Larry
Boon_Docker
Explorer III
May 23, 2016
joshuajim wrote:

Why the big differrence in price for similar shanks?

Simple, different manufactures set different prices, that's just way the world works. Same as one store selling an item for $10 and another store selling the exact same item for $15.
Lynnmor
Explorer
May 23, 2016
joshuajim wrote:

Why the big differrence in price for similar shanks?

They want the money.

Businesses set prices by what they can get and make as much profit as possible. There is nothing wrong with that, you can buy from those that give you the best value.
Huntindog
Explorer
May 23, 2016
joshuajim wrote:
Huntindog wrote:
As already said, we don't know what you have been looking at.

I will say that there are different grades of steel. I have even seen some shanks that appear to be cast. They tend to be cheaper.

I do not know if any of this applies to the ones you have been looking at, but it at least gives you some questions to ask about the materials used, so you can decide if that is the reason for the price differences.

As per my previous post, all the shanks are made by the major manufacturers and are of similar size and construction. Even if I provided specific items, no one would be able to decern the differences from a picture or manufacturers data.

The steel is of no consequence as even the lowest grade of steel including cast steel would have a tensile and shear strength of over 100,000# for a 2x2 bar. The suspect items could be weld quality or or possibly fatigue failure. Fatigue failure is not likely as the bar is only subject to a very small percent of its 100,000# capacity.

Now given the above information, does anyone have an answer?

Same answer I already gave you. Some manufacturers DO use higher grades of steel... Whether it is needed or not IYO. They tend to be higher priced. Whether it is worth it to you or not is totally up to you.... Many people are happy with the local auto parts stores tools... Others prefer Snap On.. Both will do the job. Your money, your choice...

OTOH I suppose it is possible to over pay by paying a premium price for a shank that is not made of the better steels... That is why I suggested that you inquire about that.

Since you now say that is of no consequence... Just buy the cheapest one you can find.
joshuajim
Explorer II
May 23, 2016
Huntindog wrote:
As already said, we don't know what you have been looking at.

I will say that there are different grades of steel. I have even seen some shanks that appear to be cast. They tend to be cheaper.

I do not know if any of this applies to the ones you have been looking at, but it at least gives you some questions to ask about the materials used, so you can decide if that is the reason for the price differences.

As per my previous post, all the shanks are made by the major manufacturers and are of similar size and construction. Even if I provided specific items, no one would be able to decern the differences from a picture or manufacturers data.

The steel is of no consequence as even the lowest grade of steel including cast steel would have a tensile and shear strength of over 100,000# for a 2x2 bar. The suspect items could be weld quality or or possibly fatigue failure. Fatigue failure is not likely as the bar is only subject to a very small percent of its 100,000# capacity.

Now given the above information, does anyone have an answer?
Huntindog
Explorer
May 23, 2016
As already said, we don't know what you have been looking at.

I will say that there are different grades of steel. I have even seen some shanks that appear to be cast. They tend to be cheaper.

I do not know if any of this applies to the ones you have been looking at, but it at least gives you some questions to ask about the materials used, so you can decide if that is the reason for the price differences.
Boon_Docker
Explorer III
May 23, 2016
Because that is the way it is, different manufacturer, different price.
Same as one store selling an item for $10 and another store selling the same item for $15.
joshuajim
Explorer II
May 23, 2016
LarryJM wrote:
joshuajim wrote:
I need a longer shank for my Equal-i-zer so that my tailgate will clear the A frame jack. In researching several of the major manufacturers (Curt, Eaz-lift, Equalizer etc.) the prices vary from about $70 to $150. All that I looked at are rated at 14,000#.

Why the big differrence in price for similar shanks?

Without giving the actual references to the shanks you are talking about your question is IMPOSSIBLE to answer with any possible level of accuracy. That's like asking why one 3/8" drill costs $50 and another similar 3/8" drill costs $200 ... not the greatest example, but illustrates what I'm trying to say.

Larry

They are all 2x2 solid shanks with the same length and approximately the same drop and rise. Does that make it clear to you? This isn't rocket surgery.
LarryJM
Explorer II
May 22, 2016
joshuajim wrote:
I need a longer shank for my Equal-i-zer so that my tailgate will clear the A frame jack. In researching several of the major manufacturers (Curt, Eaz-lift, Equalizer etc.) the prices vary from about $70 to $150. All that I looked at are rated at 14,000#.

Why the big differrence in price for similar shanks?

Without giving the actual references to the shanks you are talking about your question is IMPOSSIBLE to answer with any possible level of accuracy. That's like asking why one 3/8" drill costs $50 and another similar 3/8" drill costs $200 ... not the greatest example, but illustrates what I'm trying to say.

Larry

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WD shanks

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