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Hey Folks,
We are renting a travel trailer in late May/Early June to decide if this particular model (or something similar) is one we would like to purchase.
The renter is providing a weight distro/anti-sway hitch. However the hitch is a 2".
What would the best reducer be for this particular setup?
New to towing so any suggestions would be helpful.
Thanks in advance!
, $15. With most hitches and reducers, you may end up with a small bit of play causing some noise, but you also get clamps to reduce/eliminate that. I havent used mine yet so I cant tell you it's the best. But, all the holes line up and allow mu hitch pin to go through easily.
Any reducer is fine, they will all have some slop and a clamp will help with that , but it is not needed for your testing. When you do purchase a trailer I very strongly suggest that you get a 2 1/2 inch shank with your weight distribution hitch, it is worth the extra cost. Also get a straight hitch pin like this one from etrailer, https://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Pins-...25-GH-099.html and do not use the commonly provided j pin. J pins tend to elongate the hole on your trucks hitch over time.
Check with friends that have 2017+ Super Duty trucks. Mine came with two reducers (3"->2.5" and 2.5"->2"). No sense buying a reducer if you'll use it only once.
I bought two, the first one was just basically a sleeve with the hitch pin holes. What a royal pain. It was impossible to keep from sliding around when inserting the hitch into the receiver. Whatever you buy, make sure it has a flange or tab at the end of the receiver tube so that it stays in place as you install the hitch.
The Reese sleeve I bought was also loose.
I used a punch and hammer and swedged the ends of the reducer so it would not move around.
Had to use a hammer to put it into the receiver.
Also get a straight hitch pin like this one from etrailer, https://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Pins-...25-GH-099.html and do not use the commonly provided j pin. J pins tend to elongate the hole on your trucks hitch over time.
I have a straight pin I'm using, but what is a "J" pin (never heard that term before).
I have a straight pin I'm using, but what is a "J" pin (never heard that term before).
This is the type I use. The picture is of a Curt Heavy-Duty 5/8" Hitch Pin with Groove (2-1/2" or 3" Receiver, Zinc) #21507. I just bought the Curt pin for one of my other hitches. I also use the Ford pin that came with my truck. The only time my receiver hitch has been goobered up was when I used the J pin with two sleeves so I could use a 2" WDH shank. Once I switched to a 3" WDH shank there was no further damage to the receiver.
If you have a 3" receiver, make sure you get the right pin. Most pins aren't long enough to fit the 3" receiver.
I bought a Curt at the local farm supply store. It has a couple stops swaged into one end. Unfortunately, when shoved all the way in to the stops, the holes don't line up. I marked the sleeve when it was all the way in and redrilled it so the holes lined up.
IMO there is no "good" one. The manufacturing tolerances for both the receiver and sleeve are just too great. I first bought a cheap set, made of aluminum (MCI IIRC) and was unhappy with it so I bought a Curt. No better, although it is a least steel.
However, pin alignment was a problem for both. The MCI one I had to use the second hole, which put the mount put further than I wanted. I ended up filing a radius at the entry that would allow it to mate with the redius on my mount so I could get it in the first hole. The Curt only has one hole and it holds the mount out further than I want.
For light towing I wouldn't bother, but I have ordered a new 2-1/2" mount. I figure I should be able to get 25% of the cost back selling the old one (a moderately expensive WeighSafe one).
I'm beginning to think my dealer owes me more parts. I didn't receive a reducer or a pin with my 250. I did however receive the gooseneck kit with the quick attachment ball and eyes for the chains...though I don't have anything gooseneck to tow.
My 2.5" to 2" Curt 45405 reducer is flanged on the end so it doesn't slide in deeper than I need. The hole also lined up perfectly with the 2.5" OEM hitch.
Just wanted to thank you for this. After seeing this post and learning this product exists I bought it and have now eliminated all of the wiggle in my 2.5" -> 2.0" reducer -> 300lbs-rated ebike rack. Before this I had tried 2 types of hitch tightener but they were too involved for my regular mounting and unmounting and didn't address both the reducer and rack. I had resolved to jamming in shims and cursing all the slop on these hitches and receivers. Now I'm finally at peace.
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