Forum Discussion

afinepoint's avatar
afinepoint
Explorer
Apr 03, 2013

2" vs 2 1/2" receiver hitch. How to choose?

I have to change out my Draw-tite receiver. It has a 14000/1400 WD rating. The TH tongue is 1280 lbs.

I've been on the phone with three hitch suppliers, a hitch installer and various Internet sources. I getting worn down with information.

I've received advice on hitches from 1500 to 2550 TW rating and 15000 to 20000 tow ratings. 2 and 2 1/2" sizes. All recommended for my application. They can't all be the right hitch. The 2550 seems way too high and the 1500 I know to be too low.

The trailer has a 63 gallon fresh water tank and 34/34 grey/black. The weight in the cargo area will be negligible. It might take 100 lbs off of the tongue.

Regarding the size of the receiver opening should one look first at the WD set up for the trailer and then choose accordingly? My plan is to put a Reese DC on the trailer which would require the 2 1/2" But this could change.

Why is that some 2" receiver hitch ratings exceed the 2 1/2" ones? One person said the max rated ball he could get was 18,000/1800 lbs for the 2 1/2. So . . . how do you tow greater?

Why buy a hitch with a capacity that exceeds that of the vehicle as the 2550 lbs would?

2" or 2 1/2"? 2 1/2" or 2"?

I suppose with my decision to get the Reese DC the choice is made for my but if one hasn't picked out the trailer hitch how does one decide?

Reg
  • jerem0621's avatar
    jerem0621
    Explorer II
    Jul 13, 2013
    I just wanted to post an update to my older thread.

    Reese now makes a 1600 lb rated WD shank for 2 inch receivers. The link to this shank is

    Here

    Thanks!

    Jeremiah
  • afinepoint's avatar
    afinepoint
    Explorer
    Apr 12, 2013
    This is from Curt's site and is stamped on my Model 15810 hitch:

    Weight 84.8
    Receiver Tube Size 2 1/2 IN
    Weight Carrying Capacity(WC) 20000 LB
    Tongue Weight(TW) 2700 LB
    Weight Distribution(WD) 20000 LB
    Weight Distribtion Tongue Weight(WDTW) 2700 LB

    The 15410 is indeed a 2".

    Reg
  • jerem0621's avatar
    jerem0621
    Explorer II
    Apr 09, 2013
    Here is the response Curt sent me.

    "Jeremiah,

    The CURT 15410 is rated at 17,000lbs weight carrying capacity and 17,000lbs weight distribution (WD) capacity. We are able to increase our tongue weights on some hitches based on testing results and a demand for higher tongue weights (TW). This hitch is rated at 2,550lbs TW and the same for WD. You are correct that we don’t offer a WD rated for the 2,550lbs TW or even a WD rated for the 17,000lbs max WD on this hitch. The highest rated WD we offer currently is a 15,000lb WD (CURT # 17333) with 1,500lbs TW. We will eventually offer a 20,000lb rated WD but that is a few months away still. The higher tongue weight rating helps now if you are using that hitch with a Pintle hitches and can get up to 20,000lbs.

    I hope this helps. Let me know if there is anything else I can offer. Thank you."

    Looks like a 20k WD hitch is on the horizon.

    Thanks,

    Jeremiah
  • afinepoint's avatar
    afinepoint
    Explorer
    Apr 05, 2013
    Just arrived. Won't be able to anything until Monday. Now I wish I had shipped it to the hitch place who also has my truck. Oh well, claivoyance is in such short supply. I'd settle for a good memory. :B
  • JBarca's avatar
    JBarca
    Nomad II
    Apr 05, 2013
    jerem0621 wrote:

    I own a 1600 lb tongue weight rated forged 2 inch shank. I experienced a hitch head failure and never want to be without a back up system incase of a WD hitch failure again.



    Hi Jeremiah,

    H'mm good point, I'll have to look into that. I do not want to be towing a long ways with no WD, but going slower beats being stranded.

    Thanks

    John
  • JBarca's avatar
    JBarca
    Nomad II
    Apr 05, 2013
    afinepoint wrote:


    I have ordered the Curt 15810. Rating is 20,000/2700 and is a 2 1/2". Costs less and no drilling. Will install myself and save $82.

    Done.

    Thanks for the help.

    Now on to the trailer hitch. WD no WD. Sway no sway. :D Before any comments I already have that thread going.


    Hi Reg,

    Good for you! One decision behind you.

    PS, I used a floor jack to hoist the beast up there....

    John
  • afinepoint's avatar
    afinepoint
    Explorer
    Apr 05, 2013
    Found out the Curt model 15845 is not for my truck as I was led to believe. Do they makes salesmen out of anyone that just walks in?

    That model is for a wide body commercial truck. Goes to show you. One guy at the hitch place picked it out for me but today when I called back another - more experienced person said it would not fit my truck. A vendor confirmed this.

    You've got to be careful. If I hadn't asked more questions I'd be getting exercise by bench pressing the wrong hitch under the bed.

    I have ordered the Curt 15810. Rating is 20,000/2700 and is a 2 1/2". Costs less and no drilling. Will install myself and save $82.

    Done.

    Thanks for the help.

    Now on to the trailer hitch. WD no WD. Sway no sway. :D Before any comments I already have that thread going.
  • jerem0621's avatar
    jerem0621
    Explorer II
    Apr 04, 2013
    I sent Curt an email asking them why they would rate a product so high without the accessories to use the rating. My main concern is someone buying the wrong product. If they are someone who needs 1600-1700 lbs of capacity and buy this hitch they will be sorely disappointed.

    I will post a follow up when they reply.

    Thanks!
  • jerem0621's avatar
    jerem0621
    Explorer II
    Apr 04, 2013
    redavis wrote:
    jerem0621 wrote:
    IMHO.. The 2 1/2 is no longer required.

    You can get forged shanks that are strong enough in 2 inch receivers to pull pretty much anything.

    The strongest receiver I can find for a superduty like ours is made by Curt

    Its rated for max trailer weight of 20,000 lbs and a max tongue weight of 2,700 lbs WITH OR WITHOUT Weight distribution.

    Very substantial for a 2 inch receiver.

    Here is a Link

    This is way you never have to worry about receiver strength ever again. And its only $321.40 from Etrailer..

    Thanks!

    Jeremiah


    Unless I'm missing something, the link you provided is to a 2 1/2" receiver, not a 2".

    Randy


    Good catch, that is what I get for having multiple tabs open doing research.

    Here is the correct Link

    This is a 2 inch receiver rated at 17,000lbs GTW and 2550 LBS tongue weight either in WC or WD mode.... still quite a substantial hitch, but as John pointed out, the shank is the limiting factor here.

    Thanks!

About RV Tips & Tricks

Looking for advice before your next adventure? Look no further.25,104 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 24, 2025