Hitch receiver and reducer
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 787
Likes: 73
From: Lansing MI
Once you snap your spring bars up, nothing is moving or rattling. The reducer(s) are lifted up in the rear, and shoved down in the front, rotating around the pin.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 1,144
Likes: 273
From: Southwestern Pa.
Bought our F250 to tow a trailer that we have on order. I'll be getting a weight distributing hitch with sway control. Our receiver is the 2½" size, but most all the WDH stingers are only 2". I could use the adapter that came with the truck but thought that after spending all this money for the truck, trailer, and WDH I should spend a bit more and get the 2½" one so things aren't slopping around back there.
But then I got to thinking about how a weight distributing hitch works - by torquing the stinger up in the receiver. So theoretically this should prevent the hitch and adapter from slopping around, right?
Anyone have any first hand experience using the receiver reducer adapter with a WDH? Is it quiet, or does it bang around back there?
But then I got to thinking about how a weight distributing hitch works - by torquing the stinger up in the receiver. So theoretically this should prevent the hitch and adapter from slopping around, right?
Anyone have any first hand experience using the receiver reducer adapter with a WDH? Is it quiet, or does it bang around back there?
https://www.curtmfg.com/part/17128
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5,957
Likes: 1,362
From: NY/Canada border
But I was going from 2.5 to 2 inch for my Weigh Safe ball mount. That item both extended it 6 inches and reduced it. You might need to look around some more if you need a straight 2.5 inch extender.
Depending on the trailer you may or may not have to extend your safety chains.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,732
Likes: 12,874
From: Wyoming
Eric, I was using a 2" WDH shank in my 3" receiver and it did indeed bang around. There was some slop.
A number of manufacturers make a 2.5" WDH shank. Not many make a 3" shank. I have the Andersen 3" shank WDH. The 2017+ Superduty doesn't need as much weight distribution so the Andersen works really well.
A number of manufacturers make a 2.5" WDH shank. Not many make a 3" shank. I have the Andersen 3" shank WDH. The 2017+ Superduty doesn't need as much weight distribution so the Andersen works really well.
Senior User
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 152
Likes: 19
Etrailer.https://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Acces...ophy/HR26.html
But I was going from 2.5 to 2 inch for my Weigh Safe ball mount. That item both extended it 6 inches and reduced it. You might need to look around some more if you need a straight 2.5 inch extender.
Depending on the trailer you may or may not have to extend your safety chains.
But I was going from 2.5 to 2 inch for my Weigh Safe ball mount. That item both extended it 6 inches and reduced it. You might need to look around some more if you need a straight 2.5 inch extender.
Depending on the trailer you may or may not have to extend your safety chains.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5,957
Likes: 1,362
From: NY/Canada border
Sounds like the same reason I needed to extend. I pull Little Giant ladders out of the back of the truck at every job and the part of the tailgate with the camera was dangerously close to hitting the trailer jack every time I opened it.
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 361
Likes: 20
From: Clayton, Georgia
I stumbled across this while searching for 2.5" adjustable ball mounts. It's a 2.5" WD hitch with a 2" shank...for using an existing 2" WD head.
https://www.curtmfg.com/part/17128
https://www.curtmfg.com/part/17128
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,732
Likes: 12,874
From: Wyoming
Why not get the Blue Ox 2 1/2" shank from the start?
https://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Dist...x/BXW2003.html
https://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Dist...x/BXW2003.html
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 634
Likes: 2
As far as I know, there are no 3 inch weight distribution hitches on the market yet
WDH is no longer required with these new trucks....a lot of engineering went into the factory receiver hitch which distributes the weight throughout the frame already.
Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 92
Likes: 8
From: Central New York
But then I got to thinking about how a weight distributing hitch works - by torquing the stinger up in the receiver. So theoretically this should prevent the hitch and adapter from slopping around, right?
Anyone have any first hand experience using the receiver reducer adapter with a WDH? Is it quiet, or does it bang around back there?
I use my wdh in the adapter. No banging or movement at all. Actually is better than the old truck with the 2" hitch.
I towed my ~6,000 lb travel trailer without using the bars for the first few trips, as its not required per the manual. I was using the WDH since it was the only one I had with the right height. No complaints about the way it tows but one day I through the bars and friction sway control on just to try it. Not sure how much the bars did, but the sway control made for an even better towing experience. I haven't scaled it yet to see how much the bars are doing, but I liked the improved handling, so I've continued using the wdh.
Not sure how the OP's dually might compare, but after trying both with and without, I would highly recommend considering using a sway control setup.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,155
Likes: 31
From: Idaho
AH Yes and NO
There is NOTHING Ford can do to slow down the up and down sea saw affect from the ball of the trailer hitch to the trailer.
The current trucks have a much higher tow rating then most trailers. But saying Weight distribution bars they are not required is not correct. They very much help any many circumstances.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 787
Likes: 73
From: Lansing MI
Required, being the operative word there. Yes, the hitch is rated for a weight carrying rating equal to its weight distributed rating, so in that respect, WD is not 'required'. That said, First time I towed with the new truck, I took my front and rear measurements. Put the trailer on the ball, and remeasured. Front went up an inch, rear when down 2.5. Snapped up the spring bars, and the front was back to the starting height (nearly), and he back was up 1.5 (1 inch of squat). Does that mean that without using them, my headlights were not aimed higher than normal? That steering would not have been lighter than normal? It may not be required, bit that's not to say it does not help make the drive more pleasant.
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 361
Likes: 20
From: Clayton, Georgia
Why not get the Blue Ox 2 1/2" shank from the start?
https://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Dist...x/BXW2003.html
https://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Dist...x/BXW2003.html
https://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Dist...x/BXW1000.html
and it comes with the 2" shank.
I've got an e-mail in to etrailer to ask if I can the larger stinger on the smaller WDH.
thanks!
New User
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Didn't know I was supposed to get 2 sleeves... Salesguy called me within minutes of me contacting my dealership saying he was in the lot looking for the 2.5 -> 2 sleeve on SD's they had and would get one shipped to me if he couldn't find one.