Hitch drop 2500 HD

[GMFL]

I just traded my 2015 1500 Silverado pick up and on a 2016 2500 HD Duramax diesel and I'm going to have to purchase a new receiver drop for my equalizer hitch as my current weight distribution hitch in the lowest position is still about 4 inches too high for the trailer to ride a level. Has anyone else had the same experience being as the 2500 HD rides much higher than the 1/2 ton Silverado
Thanks for the input.

[n2916s]

Similar situation -- my Titan XD was four inches taller than my 2004 Titan so I bought a Gen-Y hitch adapter. Works great.

[wulfraat]

Here is a picture of my equalizer setup on my 2017 2500 HD. I'm using 5 washers on the equalizer and the trailer (2017 30' international with about 980lbs on the tongue) sits dead level.

This is a 6" drop shank but as you can see I am not using the 2 bottom holes so a 4" drop should do (for an equalizer hitch anyways...)

[GMFL]

Originally Posted by wulfraat

Here is a picture of my equalizer setup on my 2017 2500 HD. I'm using 5 washers on the equalizer and the trailer (2017 30' international with about 980lbs on the tongue) sits dead level.

This is a 6" drop shank but as you can see I am not using the 2 bottom holes so a 4" drop should do (for an equalizer hitch anyways...)

That's what I need is the new drop shank of the hitch. Mine is not low enough.

[wulfraat]

As you can see the equalizer 6" drop works well as configured in the photo above however there is a small amount of the shank that protrudes below the hitch and reduces ground clearance some...

I may switch to the 4" drop model for a cleaner install and use it on its lowest setting. I have a 3" drop shank and when I tried it out it was about 1" too high....

[mbubbaca]

I just changed from a 2007GMC 1500 to 2017 2500 and have the same issue. Plus needing a larger hitch shaft into the receiver. Wonder if I need to use an adapter or new drop hitch. Starting research any additional help appreciated.

[wulfraat]

Originally Posted by mbubbaca

I just changed from a 2007GMC 1500 to 2017 2500 and have the same issue. Plus needing a larger hitch shaft into the receiver. Wonder if I need to use an adapter or new drop hitch. Starting research any additional help appreciated.

I use the 2.5" -> 2" adapter that came with my truck mainly because (1) it came with the truck and I had it and (2) I already owned a 2" shank so this avoided my shelling out $$ for a new shank.

For what it is worth the 2.5" -> 2" adapter works just fine with my 2" shank.

That being said if you don't have an adapter or are buying a new shank anyways I'd just go for a 2.5" equalizer shank. If you loose the adapter for some reason then you are SOL

[woodfox45]

I use the 4" drop on my 2500 HD with 17" wheels and I bought the 2 1/2" shank . Got it from Etrailer.com $149. shipped . it's heavy when you need to remove it .

[GMFL]

Originally Posted by woodfox45

I use the 4" drop on my 2500 HD with 17" wheels and I bought the 2 1/2" shank . Got it from Etrailer.com $149. shipped . it's heavy when you need to remove it .

That's my worry with the 2 1/2". It being very heavy to remove

[wulfraat]

Originally Posted by GMFL

That's my worry with the 2 1/2". It being very heavy to remove

Sounds like an adapter + 2" shank is the way to go then it's working well for me.....

[dcasr]

Originally Posted by wulfraat

Here is a picture of my equalizer setup on my 2017 2500 HD. I'm using 5 washers on the equalizer and the trailer (2017 30' international with about 980lbs on the tongue) sits dead level.

This is a 6" drop shank but as you can see I am not using the 2 bottom holes so a 4" drop should do (for an equalizer hitch anyways...)

____________
Your photo looks just like my 2016 2500HD 4wd Duramax. Same problem, same solution.
+dcasr

[Tom_T]

Originally Posted by GMFL

I just traded my 2015 1500 Silverado pick up and on a 2016 2500 HD Duramax diesel and I'm going to have to purchase a new receiver drop for my equalizer hitch as my current weight distribution hitch in the lowest position is still about 4 inches too high for the trailer to ride a level. Has anyone else had the same experience being as the 2500 HD rides much higher than the 1/2 ton Silverado
Thanks for the input.

It's not your imagination. Yes, by the construction & position of the Dodge/RAM trucks, their receivers are 2-4" higher than either Ford F150/250 or the Chevy/GMC 1/2 & 3/4 ton trucks, & they keep jacking them up higher by 0.5-2" at every MY &/or model update.

We've been renting 3/4 ton pick-ups from Enterprise Commercial Truck Rental since 2014, & I had to use a 6-8" drop stinger for my Hensley Cub on my Avion T20 vintage kin, vs. 4" on the 2013-16 F250s (our local ECTR doesn't have Chevy/GMC in stock so far, varies by location) - & our stock drop axle `60 Avion is at +/-18" at the Hensley Cub stinger box top height (it's stock coupler is at 20"+/-)).

Also, all of the truck makers keep jacking up the trucks ever higher every new model, so the new 2017 F250s now require a 6" drop, as well as another friggin 2" higher climb-in & lift-to-bed for us older & for normal folks!

IMHO they all need to stop building all of their trucks for the "Ricky Racer" & "Oscar Off-road" 20-30-somethings that you see drooling over big/tall/boxy trucks on TV ads, who want jacked-up trucks for show - & go back to folks who actually have to use them for work lifting stuff in & out of beds all day, climb in & out for travel, hitching for towing, etc.!

There is at least 6-8" of BS lift height beyond the needed suspension travel - even for 4WD & off-road - that they can eliminate! Just look at all of the excess space above the tires!!

Bottom line, from my measurements of the 2500Hd Dmax at the local dealer, you'll probably need an 8" +/- drop, depending on the coupler height of your trailer.

Cheers!
Tom
////////

[dcasr]

Originally Posted by wulfraat

I use the 2.5" -> 2" adapter that came with my truck mainly because (1) it came with the truck and I had it and (2) I already owned a 2" shank so this avoided my shelling out $$ for a new shank.

For what it is worth the 2.5" -> 2" adapter works just fine with my 2" shank.

That being said if you don't have an adapter or are buying a new shank anyways I'd just go for a 2.5" equalizer shank. If you loose the adapter for some reason then you are SOL

__________
If you go to a 2.5" shank be sure that your ball hitch body that bolts to the shank can accommodate the wider shank. My hitch ball body that fits to either side of the shank and the bolts pass through all of it would not accommodate a wider 2.5 shank....I'd have to buy a ball body for the wider shank....so I'm happy with the adapter.

[guskmg]

In the Airstream specs, check the height of your TT coupler and compare it to my 2006 35' SOD. My Duramax HD ball height worked out to be 6' drop. Yours could be lower.
guskmg

[woodfox45]

Originally Posted by dcasr

__________
If you go to a 2.5" shank be sure that your ball hitch body that bolts to the shank can accommodate the wider shank. My hitch ball body that fits to either side of the shank and the bolts pass through all of it would not accommodate a wider 2.5 shank....I'd have to buy a ball body for the wider shank....so I'm happy with the adapter.

The 2 1/2" shank drop is machined to 2" at least the one I have is .

[SCOTTinNJ]

Originally Posted by GMFL

That's my worry with the 2 1/2". It being very heavy to remove

I kept my 2" receiver and use the adapter for this reason and because it provides more flexibility should I need to tow with a different truck in an emergency.

[mbubbaca]

Originally Posted by wulfraat

I use the 2.5" -> 2" adapter that came with my truck mainly because (1) it came with the truck and I had it and (2) I already owned a 2" shank so this avoided my shelling out $$ for a new shank.

For what it is worth the 2.5" -> 2" adapter works just fine with my 2" shank.

That being said if you don't have an adapter or are buying a new shank anyways I'd just go for a 2.5" equalizer shank. If you loose the adapter for some reason then you are SOL

Purchased the adapter and trying it out this week. I already "forgot" it was in there when I was setting up so I'll be cruising for a 2.5 shank. Lucky it didn't fall out moving from one part of the driveway to the other.

I little worried about how loose everything is with the adapter, not tight at all. Normal for some "slop" and rattle?

[Mollysdad]

The Equal-I-zer web site has a calculator for the shank size.
Airstreams seem to all be about 19" ball height, so you measure to the top of your receiver, plug in that number, and it tells you if you need a lower shank or what holes to put the hitch in.
They sell shanks, or Curt, E-Trailer, and others do also.

https://www.equalizerhitch.com/find-your-shank-size

[wulfraat]

Originally Posted by mbubbaca

Purchased the adapter and trying it out this week. I already "forgot" it was in there when I was setting up so I'll be cruising for a 2.5 shank. Lucky it didn't fall out moving from one part of the driveway to the other.



I little worried about how loose everything is with the adapter, not tight at all. Normal for some "slop" and rattle?

Just put the pin through to hold the adapter in place when not towing. Mine fits pretty well - not too much movement...