Ideas on Not Losing the 2-1/2" Hitch Adapter

[Ron3rd]

I'm using my old Equal-i-zer hitch from my old Tundra which had a 2" receiver. Of course my 2016 Ram in my sig has the 2-1/2" receiver. I'm using the slide in adapter supplied with the truck. I've discovered it's very easy to slide out the Equal-i-zer shank and ball and forget about the adapter, meaning the adapter falls out somewhere on the road and you can't hitch up.

Has anyone come up with a trick to keep the adapter either with the shank or keep it in the receiver? I've thought of various things like tack welding, installing a set screw, etc, but was looking for some idea that I have not thought of.

[DutchmenSport]

Ron3rd wrote:
... Could use a locking pin, but then must not lose the key! 🙂

I keep my key on the same ring as the truck ignition key. We have 2 sets of skeys, each is a complete set for the entire truck. She has one set, I have one set. We've never lost the hitch pin key this way:

1 ignition key that also works the tail gate lock and glove box lock, and box between the seats.
1 key for the doors for the truck bed cap. There are 3 locks.
1 key for the hitch pin lock
1 key for the bicycle carrier arm lock that locks the bicycles to the carrier. The carrier slides into the receiver. Hitch pin locks that in place.

Attached to this set of keys is the set of keys for the second vehicle at home and the house key. We figure, we can only be driving one vehicle at a time, so both sets are kept together. And if we are gone, we'll be in one of the vehicles, so the house key stays with this set also.

We keep a separate ring for the trailer keys (we have multiple locks there too). As we don't always have the trailer with us, we leave those keys on a completely separate ring and grab them (2 sets) only when we need them (or traveling).

So, long story short, we've never lost the hitch pin lock key this way.

[elcheapo]

Just mix up a little salt and water, coat the adapter and it will rust in place. or deform it with a hammer for a tight fit.

[Larry-D]

Leave the adapter in the shank all the time with a locking hitch pin.

[BillandCarole]

I just bolt the adapted down with a large bolt that gets really torqued down. If they can get this off a lock isn't going to stop a thief this determined.
My solution
Bill

[Ron3rd]

Thanks for the ideas. Trying to avoid dropping big bucks on the 2-1/2" shank if possible. The locking pin might be an idea.

[time2roll]

How about get a 2.5 shank and leave the adapter at home.

[BB_TX]

I just use a standard pin. I suppose theft could be a problem, but can’t remember anyone ever reporting it. Never had mine stolen in 14 yrs of owning a truck with that adapter.

[1995brave]

You can get a locking hitch pin that will program to your truck key. Got mine on Amazon.

[Hondavalk]

https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Equal-i-zer/EQ90-02-4900.html

I realize its some cash but do in once and your done. 🙂

[Ron3rd]

CarnationSailor wrote:
An anti-rattle device such as:

https://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Anti-Rattle/Gen-Y-Hitch/325-GH-063.html

Only problem with that part is if you are reducing from 2-1/2" to 2" like I am, you need to by 2 sleeves, one for each size (according to eTraier.com). That's over $50

[Ron3rd]

DutchmenSport wrote:
I keep mine in the sleeve all the time. I keep a locking hitch pin through it all the time. The reducer sleeve never comes out of the 2 1/2 inch shaft. Never.

Thought of that, but was afraid of theft. Could use a locking pin, but then must not lose the key! 🙂

[CarnationSailor]

An anti-rattle device such as:

https://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Anti-Rattle/Gen-Y-Hitch/325-GH-063.html

[BarneyS]

I did the same as DutchmenSport above for the past several years when my truck came with the 2.5 inch receiver.
Barney

[DutchmenSport]

I keep mine in the sleeve all the time. I keep a locking hitch pin through it all the time. The reducer sleeve never comes out of the 2 1/2 inch shaft. Never.