Hitch Shank size
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,719
Likes: 12,863
From: Wyoming
I've been playing around with some adhesive strips of UHMW Polyethylene Tape. They were leftover from a failed project. The adhesive isn't very good but the UHMW itself is fine. There is a small amount of movement that is causing a groove to be worn into the shank. Placement of the UHMW strips has really tightened up the fitment. I don't know if it's enough to prevent further wear of the shank.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 713
Good plan. I have the 3" receiver hitch on my F-350. My trailer came with a 2" Blue Ox shank. Lots of slop and that slop wallowed out the pin holes in the receiver. I switched to the 3" Andersen WDH (one of the few manufacturers that offered a 3" shank at the time) and it solved both the slop (mostly) and wallow problem.
I've been playing around with some adhesive strips of UHMW Polyethylene Tape. They were leftover from a failed project. The adhesive isn't very good but the UHMW itself is fine. There is a small amount of movement that is causing a groove to be worn into the shank. Placement of the UHMW strips has really tightened up the fitment. I don't know if it's enough to prevent further wear of the shank.
I've been playing around with some adhesive strips of UHMW Polyethylene Tape. They were leftover from a failed project. The adhesive isn't very good but the UHMW itself is fine. There is a small amount of movement that is causing a groove to be worn into the shank. Placement of the UHMW strips has really tightened up the fitment. I don't know if it's enough to prevent further wear of the shank.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,719
Likes: 12,863
From: Wyoming
Mine is the OEM Ford pin, which I guess makes it a J pin. The wallowing was on both sides and I usually install the pin the same way each time. The J side of the pin does has turned the lip of the hole, but that's not the wallowing I'm referring to.
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 736
Likes: 225
I've been playing around with some adhesive strips of UHMW Polyethylene Tape. They were leftover from a failed project. The adhesive isn't very good but the UHMW itself is fine. There is a small amount of movement that is causing a groove to be worn into the shank. Placement of the UHMW strips has really tightened up the fitment. I don't know if it's enough to prevent further wear of the shank.
I looked into that tape when I read your post. Interesting concept. I ordered some 10 mil x 2” UHMW tape. I put 1 layer on each side and it took some slop out. I have a short trip planned later this week, and will see how it does. I will prolly add another layer later.
I have a 2 1/2” WDH in a 2 1/2” receiver
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,719
Likes: 12,863
From: Wyoming
I looked into that tape when I read your post. Interesting concept. I ordered some 10 mil x 2” UHMW tape. I put 1 layer on each side and it took some slop out. I have a short trip planned later this week, and will see how it does. I will prolly add another layer later.
I have a 2 1/2” WDH in a 2 1/2” receiver
I have a 2 1/2” WDH in a 2 1/2” receiver
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 217
Likes: 58
Just hooked up my hitch today using a Reese sleeve.
There was a lot of slop and thought about welding but did not.
So I used a hammer and puch and swedged the sides out on both outside ends of the sleeve then used duct tape on the center area.
Had to use a hammer to get it in.
The slop is not as bad now and will towing with my new truck on saturday.
There was a lot of slop and thought about welding but did not.
So I used a hammer and puch and swedged the sides out on both outside ends of the sleeve then used duct tape on the center area.
Had to use a hammer to get it in.
The slop is not as bad now and will towing with my new truck on saturday.
FTE Community Team
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 10,781
Likes: 1,512
Thanks for letting us know how it turned out!
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