I am looking to replace my older hitches. I pull 4 different trailers (flat bed, box, horse and soon a new tagalong -- pending approval from the head honcho). I have been checking out the DT adjustable hitches.

Does anyone own one? And if so, could you answer some questions?

> I am used to "through hole" pins to hold the hitch to the receiver. The DT design looks like it uses "nubs". Anyone concern these little "nubs" might just break off?

> Due to the varying trailer heights, the adjustable hitch makes sense. That said, it looks like their Class V adjustable hitches are limited to 1500 tongue / 10,000 trailer. Am I reading this right?

I will add the new truck's height has made it a bit more challenging getting decent level rides with my existing trailers

 

<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <wontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> I have two, an older version that uses a pin to set the height (2” drawbar) and a newer version that uses the locking pins you mention and is a 2.5” drawbar.

The DT hitch uses what I would guess is an internal cam the expands the pins out into the receiver.
I like that feature and it means the hitch is always locked in, not just when I decide to use a locking pin.

The ball height adjustment also works on a similar principal using one pin.
Not sure which I prefer for the ball height (conventional pin or internal).

I have had no reservations about using the hitch with any of the trailers I have access too.
The ease of adjustment is why I have them.
Although I don’t use it for low tongue height trailers such as my motorcycle trailer. I use an 8” drop aluminum hitch for that. To get that low with the DT hitch I would not be able to get out of my driveway, because of the double ball setup.


The 2.5” DT is not really a 2.5” hitch and you should be aware of that. It is really just the older 2” version with different pins and a sleeve already attached. So just like using a standard 2” hitch in your 2.5 receiver doesn’t increase your capacity, using the 2.5 DT still gets you the same 2” rating.

My new DRW has the opposite problem. My current pintle hitch is not high enough and I need to get a new pintle drawbar.
My 2011 DRW’s hitch height is 3” lower then my buddies 2006 F-350

 

Thanks for the detailed explanation Duane! I didn't catch that the adjustable was a 2" sleeved. Explains the weight differences over a Class V.

I was hoping to do away with all the different height hitches I have but it looks like I can probably move to two. One adjustable for the lighter trailers under 10k and once I decide upon a tagalong, a second fixed hitch.

I appreciate you taking the time to explain the DT hitches!

 

Yeah - that's what I thought.
A 8" drop aluminun for the bike trailer, The adjustable for the myriad of trailers I use occasional with my part time gig and a pintle for the really big boat trailers (16K)

And when I had my travel trailer I had a dedicated WD hitch for that.

 

They are far from being "nubs". Had a 6" adjustable on my Cummins and bought 2 (was trying to get them here in a hurry) of the 2.5" 6" adj drop for this 2011 CEL special I have. They are amazing hitches and handle the abuse. I sold my other one to Duane.

 

Thanks. Wasn't sure what to call the "nubs". Was curious if they held up since these are the attachment points.

 

It's a great hitch for sure. There was quite a wait on them when the 2.5" receiver came out.

 

I have one and hauled a 6x12 covered trailer today and man it was convienent. I have not hooked up with my 28' yet but I have complete confidence in this hitch. It is a work of art. I went with the 4 inch drop as I was worried the 6" would be too low with the double ball but see now that it would not have been a problem.

 

Don't know if the new version of the hitch has it but the previous "pin" version offered a single ball in 1 7/8".
Don't recall if the other sizes were offered in singles.

But, if you only use one size you could cut the unneeded size off.

I need both and use the full range of the adjustment, including flipping it.

 

I'm loving your rig Duane. Very sharp.

 

Thanks Steve, I like it, but I do miss CC SB you have

 

I can imagine my rig is easier to park LOL.

 

I have also been looking at these, but are they not rated to 10,000 lbs.? That 28' trailer has to be more than that, or do they have a higher rated one?

 

That is the advantage and I don't tow anything heavy enough to need a DRW but I do really like those DRW trucks.
I just need bigger toys, I guess.

Had a 2011 Platinum white/adobe KR F-450 behind me headed home from work Friday.
I was trying to look at it in my rear view and watch traffic and those are sharp looking trucks.
That truck looks big in my rear view, can't imagine what it looks like in a Prius and my truck isn't much smaller in the front.

 

It is a 28' car hauler rated at 9000# so the 10K DT works fine for now.