2011 2.5" Receiver
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 197
Likes: 0
From: Canada
2011 F350 Crew Cab with the 6.7L and the dealer gave me the adapter. Of course, got home and tried to put my hitch and... the pin was too short. A quick trip to Canadian Tire (mini Wal-Mart like but no food, no drugstore, no books... well...different enough I guess) and found a pin that fits nicely and still locks... 17 dollars I think it was.
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: El Paso
I too had an issue with the 2” reducer sleeve not going in at all. ($20 - made by Curt IIRC) I used by belt sander to make it fit. It was not just the radius of the corners as mentioned in previous posts. I ground off the sides a little at a time until it eventually fit with some “percussion persuasion”
My 2” hitch slid right into the reducer sleeve, but seems to have a lot of slop. About an 1/8” inch which equals almost 1/2“ up and down at the ball. So I figured it was just a crappy sleeve with a not very good factory quality control or tolerance.
I asked the dealer about it later, they do not supply the reducer sleeve with the trucks (and yet I have a King Ranch). They also did not have the Ford one in stock at the parts dept.
My question: Is the Receiver supposed to be 2.5” or is it a tad bigger and the Hitch is 2.5? Also does anyone know the tolerance or what is acceptable slop? It seems so random as to what manufacturer brands fit and which ones don’t.
My 2” hitch slid right into the reducer sleeve, but seems to have a lot of slop. About an 1/8” inch which equals almost 1/2“ up and down at the ball. So I figured it was just a crappy sleeve with a not very good factory quality control or tolerance.
I asked the dealer about it later, they do not supply the reducer sleeve with the trucks (and yet I have a King Ranch). They also did not have the Ford one in stock at the parts dept.
My question: Is the Receiver supposed to be 2.5” or is it a tad bigger and the Hitch is 2.5? Also does anyone know the tolerance or what is acceptable slop? It seems so random as to what manufacturer brands fit and which ones don’t.
Last edited by 2011F-250KR; Sep 14, 2011 at 02:08 PM. Reason: format
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 515
Likes: 0
From: South Florida
I too had an issue with the 2” reducer sleeve not going in at all. ($20 - made by Curt IIRC) I used by belt sander to make it fit. It was not just the radius of the corners as mentioned in previous posts. I ground off the sides a little at a time until it eventually fit with some “percussion persuasion”
My 2” hitch slid right into the reducer sleeve, but seems to have a lot of slop. About an 1/8” inch which equals almost 1/2“ up and down at the ball. So I figured it was just a crappy sleeve with a not very good factory quality control or tolerance.
I asked the dealer about it later, they do not supply the reducer sleeve with the trucks (and yet I have a King Ranch). They also did not have the Ford one in stock at the parts dept.
My question: Is the Receiver supposed to be 2.5” or is it a tad bigger and the Hitch is 2.5? Also does anyone know the tolerance or what is acceptable slop? It seems so random as to what manufacturer brands fit and which ones don’t.
My 2” hitch slid right into the reducer sleeve, but seems to have a lot of slop. About an 1/8” inch which equals almost 1/2“ up and down at the ball. So I figured it was just a crappy sleeve with a not very good factory quality control or tolerance.
I asked the dealer about it later, they do not supply the reducer sleeve with the trucks (and yet I have a King Ranch). They also did not have the Ford one in stock at the parts dept.
My question: Is the Receiver supposed to be 2.5” or is it a tad bigger and the Hitch is 2.5? Also does anyone know the tolerance or what is acceptable slop? It seems so random as to what manufacturer brands fit and which ones don’t.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: New West, BC
My April '11 build KR and my buddy's February '11 build KR came with the reducer already in the hitch along with the pin.
Brian
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: El Paso
Tks for the input. I'll end up getting the Ford sleeve to replace the crappy one. I am still curious as to what the exact dimensions are SUPPOSED to be for a 2.5" receiver/hitch.
By the way, my truck is a Sep '10 build.
By the way, my truck is a Sep '10 build.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,568
Likes: 55
The 2.5" hitch is a heavier duty hitch, class V or VI (mine shows 14,000lbs on the sticker). The 2" receivers aren't rated nearly that high. You also won't find a 2" drawbar rated for much more than 10k. You need to hit the 2.5" realm to get the higher rating (mostly the heavier duty Weight Distribution drawbars with 2 5/16" *****).
My truck came with the reducer and pin also. I realized that after I drove about 100 miles on my way home with it. I stopped at a gas station and pulled it out so I wouldn't have "someone else" pull it out for me
and walk off with it.... 
I don't leave anything in my receiver. My locks don't work on it as they are 2". I'll need to get a 2.5" one one of these days.
My truck came with the reducer and pin also. I realized that after I drove about 100 miles on my way home with it. I stopped at a gas station and pulled it out so I wouldn't have "someone else" pull it out for me
and walk off with it.... I don't leave anything in my receiver. My locks don't work on it as they are 2". I'll need to get a 2.5" one one of these days.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,598
Likes: 5
From: Maryland
I wonder how many of the guys that complain about the 2.5" hitch are still carrying around tow ropes rated at 6,000 lbs? I won't lie, I have an adapter sleeve for my 2" ball hitch that rarely gets used, but for anything heavier especially a pintle hitch it is worth the cost to upgrade and match your truck's performance.
One thing to consider in place of the regular hitch pins that never seem long enough is a farm tractor hitch pin. Most of them are rated higher than the pins meant for a receiver hitch and they have a big handle that makes them much more convenient.
I have wondered why Chevy has included a reducer sleeve with their class V hitches for several years and Ford doesn't seem inclined to do it. The answer that I can think of is that if they provide you the adapter they are basically telling you that it is ok to us a drawbar rated for a lower capacity than the receiver and thus opening themselves up for a lawsuit.
One thing to consider in place of the regular hitch pins that never seem long enough is a farm tractor hitch pin. Most of them are rated higher than the pins meant for a receiver hitch and they have a big handle that makes them much more convenient.
I have wondered why Chevy has included a reducer sleeve with their class V hitches for several years and Ford doesn't seem inclined to do it. The answer that I can think of is that if they provide you the adapter they are basically telling you that it is ok to us a drawbar rated for a lower capacity than the receiver and thus opening themselves up for a lawsuit.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
The GMs not only come with the reducer, but the longer pin as well.
I'm rather surprised that Ford would cut a corner like this. Many customers will be upset about such a obvious cost cutting move.
I'm rather surprised that Ford would cut a corner like this. Many customers will be upset about such a obvious cost cutting move.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 852
Likes: 12
From: Kentucky
I wonder how many of the guys that complain about the 2.5" hitch are still carrying around tow ropes rated at 6,000 lbs? I won't lie, I have an adapter sleeve for my 2" ball hitch that rarely gets used, but for anything heavier especially a pintle hitch it is worth the cost to upgrade and match your truck's performance.
One thing to consider in place of the regular hitch pins that never seem long enough is a farm tractor hitch pin. Most of them are rated higher than the pins meant for a receiver hitch and they have a big handle that makes them much more convenient.
I have wondered why Chevy has included a reducer sleeve with their class V hitches for several years and Ford doesn't seem inclined to do it. The answer that I can think of is that if they provide you the adapter they are basically telling you that it is ok to us a drawbar rated for a lower capacity than the receiver and thus opening themselves up for a lawsuit.
One thing to consider in place of the regular hitch pins that never seem long enough is a farm tractor hitch pin. Most of them are rated higher than the pins meant for a receiver hitch and they have a big handle that makes them much more convenient.
I have wondered why Chevy has included a reducer sleeve with their class V hitches for several years and Ford doesn't seem inclined to do it. The answer that I can think of is that if they provide you the adapter they are basically telling you that it is ok to us a drawbar rated for a lower capacity than the receiver and thus opening themselves up for a lawsuit.
If I was Ford, there is no way I'd sell the "shim."
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