2011 Ford Hitch Insert
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 173
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From: Richmond, VA
2011 Ford Hitch Insert
The 2011 F-250 has a 2.5" receiver. The standard hitch is 2" and Ford includes an adapter - a section of square pipe that fits inside the receiver to make it a 2" receiver.
There's one problem and I'm looking for a solution. The adapter is shorter than the depth of the receiver. When you push in the hitch, the adapter slides to the back of the receiver, an inch or so. Now the holes for the receiver pin on the hitch head, adapter, and receiver don't line up.
I came up with a poor fix by fixing a piece of tape to the adapter and holding it while I slide in the hitch. Surely Ford didn't design it this way. What am I missing?
There's one problem and I'm looking for a solution. The adapter is shorter than the depth of the receiver. When you push in the hitch, the adapter slides to the back of the receiver, an inch or so. Now the holes for the receiver pin on the hitch head, adapter, and receiver don't line up.
I came up with a poor fix by fixing a piece of tape to the adapter and holding it while I slide in the hitch. Surely Ford didn't design it this way. What am I missing?
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,752
Likes: 5
From: Stillwater, OK
looks like that is how everyone makes them... Since there is not a standard distance from the pin to the rear edge, you can't really put a lip on it...
Instead of tape, why not just put the pin in far enough to hold the adapter in place while you put the drawbar in? ...or put the adapter onto the drawbar first.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 173
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From: Richmond, VA
Both good suggestions and I tried both.
I need a third arm to hold the locking pin just right while lifting and inserting the 50lb hitch head. The locking pin has a chamfered edge, so it's very difficult to keep the adapter from slipping when the force of inserting the hitch is applied.
If I slide the adapter on the hitch first, the adapter just slides up to the hitch head as I insert the hitch. Between the tight tolerances and the weight of the hitch head, I can't get it to slide into the receiver to align with the hole.
I need a third arm to hold the locking pin just right while lifting and inserting the 50lb hitch head. The locking pin has a chamfered edge, so it's very difficult to keep the adapter from slipping when the force of inserting the hitch is applied.
If I slide the adapter on the hitch first, the adapter just slides up to the hitch head as I insert the hitch. Between the tight tolerances and the weight of the hitch head, I can't get it to slide into the receiver to align with the hole.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 173
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From: Richmond, VA
I considered that.
My question is whether the tac will hold as the hitch moves up and down (slightly, maybe a 32nd of an inch) during usage. What do you think?
My question is whether the tac will hold as the hitch moves up and down (slightly, maybe a 32nd of an inch) during usage. What do you think?
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 824
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From: Maryville (Mur Vul), TN
I have thought that I will never haul anything that will require a class 5 hitch. I thought of drilling a hole on each side and having it welded in place. Grind the weld spots and paint, problem solved.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 126
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From: FOLSOM CA
I like lakedweller idea cause I have a welder . Now if you don't you could drill , tap threads put in set screws to hold adapter while you slid in your hitch . olllllo
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Smokin'
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 539
Likes: 0
From: Aston
how about welding a small plate to the end of the adapter so that when you slide the adapter into the receiver, the adapter "extension" will hit the back of the tube so it doesn't slide in any farther?
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 824
Likes: 0
From: Maryville (Mur Vul), TN
I think the receiver tube is longer than the insert and it wound not work ICBW (I could be wrong).
Smokin'
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 539
Likes: 0
From: Aston
that's also what i understood, so by welding a small piece to the insert, it would make the small added piece hit the back of the receiver tube and bottom out, stopping the insert from sliding into the tube farther. its hard to explain without a pic..
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 375
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From: CO Mnts
Mine is not closed at the end. I recall it being open and there being about a 1" gap before it would hit the spare tire.
If you want to weld, just weld a perpendicular piece to the outside end so it can't slide any further in than flush with the hitch. Make sure the weld does not create a problem where the insert can't slide far enough in.
If you want to weld, just weld a perpendicular piece to the outside end so it can't slide any further in than flush with the hitch. Make sure the weld does not create a problem where the insert can't slide far enough in.
