Ford Hitch

Heavy items like the adapter can become missiles in the cab durning an accident. Chris

I bought a 2.5" shank for the extra weight carrying ability, not to mention with the recuser sleeve installed, the hitch has slop in it. With the 2.5" shank there is no slop and it's quiet. I use the reducer for smaller trailers with a 2" hitch with no problems, but not the TH.

My truck came with the adapter installed in the receiver with the pin. I store it under the rear seat with the pin. Things seem to walk away from trucks here. My neighbor has a new F350 and someone stole his pin, but left the sleeve in there. He happened to see the sleeve hanging out just before it fell out.

Thanks everyone for the good replies

Caution: some of the after market reducers don't fit Ford's rounded edges--you'll have to grind the corners off. Generally 2" receivers max out at about 12500 lbs. My 2012 F-350 comes with a 2 1/2 receiver rated for 17,000 lb. although the truck is only rated for 14,000 on the receiver. Same receiver also goes on a dually.

Like HVAC said... the 2.5" hitch is bigger and carries more weight. That should be a GOOD thing on a heavier truck with a higher tow rating. Don't be an idiot like me and leave your factory reducer in the hitch without a hitch pin. I learned that lesson the hard way, luckily it was about $10 to buy another reducer at my local auto part store.

I already had a 2" square Equalizer hitch, or else I would take advantage of the 2.5" and get a better hitch...

The 2.5" hitch has the ability to carry 1,400 pounds and tow 14,000+ pounds.

The 2" hitch is smaller, and limited in weight capacity.

If you have a weight distribution system, a 2.5" shank will be stiffer, and have less flex under load. It is worth the change to the larger shank. See the posts above today. Members are reporting that their WD system is stiffer with the larger shank.

Fred.

Or they left it in the hitch and forgot about it. I found my bosses hanging by an inch, he forgot about it and almost lost it!

Travlingman wrote:

Colo Native wrote:

Travlingman wrote:
Mine came with the adaptor. I would say yours did to and the previous owner kept it.

I bought mine new, didn't have one unless dealer kept it!

It should have. I would say that someone visited the lot while it was closed and took it so they wouldn't have to buy one.

Maybe ford does it different ,but the adapter was in a plastic bag on the back floorboard , maybe they are to cheap to install with a hitch pin to keep in there. You don't want to put it in there without one, it probably won't be there long.

Colo Native wrote:

Travlingman wrote:
Mine came with the adaptor. I would say yours did to and the previous owner kept it.

I bought mine new, didn't have one unless dealer kept it!

It should have. I would say that someone visited the lot while it was closed and took it so they wouldn't have to buy one.

Thanks everyone for the comments. I will just have to buy the adapter or a 2.5 inch receiver. I am glad that it has such a heavy duty rated hitch.