Replacement WDH shaft

[cmarkj]

Gathering info in case I need it in a month or two. Just upgraded our TV to a 3/4 ton. Of course, that increased the receiver size to a 2 1/2” from a 2”. I think it may also be higher enough that I might need a different shaft because I may not be able to drop the ball enough on my existing one. Packed away right now so I can’t be sure, but I’d like the info in advance so if I need one, I can get it quickly.
Two questions: do I get a 2 1/2” if I can for my style of hitch and where do I get one?
I have a preo-series round bar with 1200/12000# set up.
Thanks

[cmarkj]

Ok, getting back to the original post. Thanks for the info so far.
The unanswered question I guess is: will a Pro-Series head work with a shank from a different mfg?

[afidel]

CharlesinGA wrote:

Grit dog wrote:

afidel wrote:


CURT 17132 is an option, though it's so much cheaper I have to question the quality.

??? Strange statement

Since its not really cheaper, I am not sure where this comes from. I looked up the Curt (11 holes), a similar but slightly shorter Blue Ox (9 holes), and an Equalizer (not sure on the holes, the pics do not reflect the actual item) and they are $222, $222, $239 respectively. The Equalizer is welded up, and I suspect may be taller (more holes) but does not list a weight rating. The Blue Ox and the Curt are both cast steel and the Curt is rated at 15K lbs and the Blue Ox is rated at 20K lbs, possibly due to not being as tall.

So no, the price does not vary wildly between brands and the Curt is in the same price range as the others. Some people may not like the cast steel but if properly manufactured, it is as strong as a welded up one.

Charles

Everywhere I checked that Curt was ~$135.

[BarneyS]

Nothing wrong with the Curt. They have been around for years. I had a Curt shank on my truck. It was a solid, welded piece and didn't wobble or shake at all. I never had a single problem with it.
Barney

[CharlesinGA]

Grit dog wrote:

afidel wrote:


CURT 17132 is an option, though it's so much cheaper I have to question the quality.

??? Strange statement

Since its not really cheaper, I am not sure where this comes from. I looked up the Curt (11 holes), a similar but slightly shorter Blue Ox (9 holes), and an Equalizer (not sure on the holes, the pics do not reflect the actual item) and they are $222, $222, $239 respectively. The Equalizer is welded up, and I suspect may be taller (more holes) but does not list a weight rating. The Blue Ox and the Curt are both cast steel and the Curt is rated at 15K lbs and the Blue Ox is rated at 20K lbs, possibly due to not being as tall.

So no, the price does not vary wildly between brands and the Curt is in the same price range as the others. Some people may not like the cast steel but if properly manufactured, it is as strong as a welded up one.

Charles

[afidel]

Grit dog wrote:

afidel wrote:


CURT 17132 is an option, though it's so much cheaper I have to question the quality.

??? Strange statement

Really, when the other two options on the market are within 10% of each other and the third is 30% cheaper than the less expensive option it's generally that way for a reason. Markets are generally fairly efficient so there's no way to save 30% and present a good of the same quality.

As but one example when I bough the AC for my house I got 5 quotes, they varied in price from $2k to $8k, the $2k quote was a contractor grade brand installed by unlicensed day laborers, there were 3 quotes in the middle within $500 of each other all using similar grade equipment and licensed and insured professionals, and the $8k quote was for a Cadillac system with stupid high labor rates. I threw out the high and low bids and selected from the middle 3 based on reputation. They ended up having to come back to do some rework and didn't charge for the trip or the materials to make it right. The unit lasted 17 years, almost four times the warranty period.


You're free to spend your money as you wish but life has taught me there's no free lunch and deals that appear to be too good to be true almost always are.

[Grit_dog]

mbopp wrote:
My F250 sits about 4" higher than my F150. I had enough drop to re-use the shank with a 2-1/2" to 2" Reese adapter.

This is a poor permanent solution. Hitch adapters induce bending stress on the hitch pins (and bend them) and wear out the hitch pin holes in the receiver.
Unless you're only doing occasional light duty work with the adapter, get the right size hitch shank.
BTDT, cut more than one bent pin out of a receiver and ended up with wallered out pin holes on the receiver.

[Grit_dog]

afidel wrote:


CURT 17132 is an option, though it's so much cheaper I have to question the quality.

??? Strange statement

[mbopp]

My F250 sits about 4" higher than my F150. I had enough drop to re-use the shank with a 2-1/2" to 2" Reese adapter.

[Boomerweps]

Did you ever measure your previous and new TVs hitch heights?
With some, it’s significant but others minimal.
Moving from my 2008 Explorer to my 2019 F150, the difference was within an inch, within tolerances for me. After “flipping” the TT axle, I had to lift the WDH ball about 5”, which required actually flipping the WDH shank.

[APT]

I have the Reese Strait Line WDH which came with the Reese 59740. IT worked well for my F-150. When I replaced the F-15o with the Suburban, I needed more drop like you and ordered the Reese 63971.

If you need to buy a new one, then I recommend a 2.5" square vs. 2" and sleeve. Some people have reported excessive wear and towing instability using the adapter. I have not found a Reese Titan PN for similar drop.

Etrailer and Amazon Prime ship very quickly. If you can plan an extra few days of the TT in your driveway in the spring, you should be good. Local towing shops and RV dealers will likely have parts in stock as well, but may be more expensive than online.

[afidel]

You're looking for a shank, not shaft. Blue Ox makes a 2.5" drop shank that should work well for your application. BXW4028

CURT 17132 is an option, though it's so much cheaper I have to question the quality.

Reese 54977 is the other option I've seen, but it's only for pretty significant drops so not as flexible as the blue ox.