Forum Discussion

tinner12002's avatar
tinner12002
Explorer
Jul 16, 2017

Newer Ford 350 with 3" receiver

A friend of mine just showed me a 17 F350 he just purchased and was commenting on the large receiver it had and I told him that a all the big three were using a 2.5" hitch now instead of a 2". That's when we walked to the rear of his truck and it has a 3" receiver...I measured it. He said when at the dealer he seen several others with the 3" receiver vs the 2.5. Heck the hitch manufacturers haven't even caught up with the 2.5 market yet and now their using 3"....what's the purpose I wonder for a hitch that big...any ideas?
Tow Vehicles
  • Threebigfords's avatar
    Threebigfords
    Explorer
    Jul 17, 2017
    austingta wrote:
    No significant reason. They just want to be able to say they do it, since it costs so little. Stick an adapter in it and go!


    Lol! Like a car manufacturer would spend a dime they didn't have to.

    I'm also one that appreciates the larger bumper pull capacities. Saves me from having to upgrade the factory hitch.
  • Greene728's avatar
    Greene728
    Explorer
    Jul 17, 2017
    lawnspecialties wrote:
    I like it. Guys who work their trucks for a living can appreciate it. Pulling heavy landscape trailers with Bobcats, skid steers, etc. can push the limits. Not any longer.

    Make the hitch match the capacities of the truck. You're only as strong as your weakest link.


    Sums it up pretty well!
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator
    Jul 17, 2017
    lawnspecialties wrote:
    I like it. Guys who work their trucks for a living can appreciate it. Pulling heavy landscape trailers with Bobcats, skid steers, etc. can push the limits. Not any longer.

    Make the hitch match the capacities of the truck. You're only as strong as your weakest link.


    This.
    Give me some I beams welded under that don't move! Although, as hard as I've tried, I haven't bent a 2" receiver yet in over 20 years. I do like the bigger is better trailer hitch though.
    Ford has some good stuff now. Monster hitch, big fuel tank. Put a Cummins or a Dmax in it and I'd be on it like a fat kid on a sandwich!
  • Rubiranch's avatar
    Rubiranch
    Explorer
    Jul 17, 2017
    Just Ford is using the 3" right now.

    That's because they are built for the big jobs. ;)
  • lawnspecialties's avatar
    lawnspecialties
    Explorer
    Jul 16, 2017
    I like it. Guys who work their trucks for a living can appreciate it. Pulling heavy landscape trailers with Bobcats, skid steers, etc. can push the limits. Not any longer.

    Make the hitch match the capacities of the truck. You're only as strong as your weakest link.
  • austingta's avatar
    austingta
    Explorer
    Jul 16, 2017
    No significant reason. They just want to be able to say they do it, since it costs so little. Stick an adapter in it and go!
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Jul 16, 2017
    All about the rating. Etrailer has some that will fit.
    Might seem large for a TT but not for pulling a backhoe on a pintle hook.
  • Me_Again's avatar
    Me_Again
    Explorer III
    Jul 16, 2017
    One has to wonder why? A 25K bumper pull is not on many people's radar.

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