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Factory 2 1/2" Hitch Problem

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Old Dec 9, 2013 | 02:40 PM
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Question Factory 2 1/2" Hitch Problem

Any one else experiencing the factory 2 1/2" tube not accepting ball mounts?

Bought a 2 1/2" ball mount from my local Tractor Supply Co. and it would not fit in the hitch, I don't think even sanding the paint off would have solved it.
The sleeve reducer that came with the truck fits fine and I can use 2" ball mounts, but the 2 1/2' part appears to be useless.



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Old Dec 9, 2013 | 04:03 PM
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It happens to a lot of us. The drawbar has square shoulders compared to the radiused corners of the reciever. Just grind down or round off the shoulders of the drawbar and repaint.
 
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Old Dec 9, 2013 | 06:20 PM
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Actually the corners weren't the problem on mine, the square tube itself is slightly too small, needs to be about a 1/16" bigger on all four sides.


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Old Dec 9, 2013 | 06:29 PM
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I remember a thread about this issue in the past , I believe . A search may find it .
 
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Old Dec 9, 2013 | 07:28 PM
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Some brands will fit and some won't. Some they say you can take the powdercoat off and they will fit. The word is that most of the Reese titan stuff won't fit, however I have a Reese titan shank that does. Etrailer has fairly good descripions on their site of what will and won't fit the Fords. Also, compared to online and shipping, Ford accessories does offer a 2.5 pintle shank, and the price was reasonable, I think it was 90-100, but no shipping hassles. Generally, it looks like the cast units have a better chance of fitting than the fabricated units.
 
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Old Dec 9, 2013 | 08:44 PM
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Thanks guys, I will check with Etrailer, I have ordered from them before.

I'm a little weiry about cast, but I guess they are just as good.



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Old Dec 10, 2013 | 06:00 AM
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Educate me

What is the difference between the 2" and 2.5" other than size ?

does it up your towing limits or ?!?
 
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Old Dec 10, 2013 | 08:08 AM
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Originally Posted by jdadamsjr
Educate me

What is the difference between the 2" and 2.5" other than size ?

does it up your towing limits or ?!?
I think that the difference is shrinking. Curt specifically has come out with some 2 inch receivers well north of 15k in rating. I have a forged draw bar that I used with my travel trailer that was rated at 16,000 lb trailer weight and 1600 lbs tongue weight. It is a 2 inch draw bar.

IIRC the 2.5 inch had a 17000/1700 lb rating.

These were taken from a ball mount draw bar.
 
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Old Dec 10, 2013 | 01:02 PM
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I got mine from Tractor Supply and sanded off the coating, works fine now.
 
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Old Dec 10, 2013 | 02:40 PM
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This a problem in the industry in general....for example...I have reese 2 1/2 bar that will take any ball I put on it, and then I have a reese clamp/hook over ball unit (16,ooo lbs rated) that will only accept ***** made for the clamp/hook over ball mount.....none of the standard reese ***** will fit it.
 
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