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merchantmm · 04-20-2016, 03:51 PM

Back in my newbie days I unhitched and never replaced the pin. We did some rough terrain driving later that day. Guess what? When it was time to hook up again I had no insert! It was a full day delay getting a new one.

Other than that Ive had no problem using the insert. F250 towing 27' FC with an equalizer WD hitch. BTW...Welding it in makes hitch insertion easier.

boondockdad · 04-20-2016, 04:52 PM

So, I dug up the pictures from my old 2.5" receiver+sleeve, and checked my current Ford OEM 2" receiver, and moosetags is right.
Essentially no difference in the amount of play between 2" receiver and 2.5" receiver with sleeve.

2.5" receiver with hardened steel sleeve

2" receiver

I stand corrected.

MelGoddard · 04-20-2016, 05:24 PM

Anything with a 1/2" of play will certainly rattle and be beaten to death.
With my set-up, I found .064 of play between the shank and the receiver; so I used two shims of .060 to place into the spaces, and grease them with common grease, to prevent wear, and facilitate removal. Used it for eight years. Works like charm.
Too bad that this site will not allow me to send attachment photos of the hitch-up.

graysailor · 04-20-2016, 06:12 PM

Using the sleeve is probably not a good idea. I am using the Equalizer WD and sway so I upgrades to the 2.5" receiver. If you are going heavy duty then go heavy duty. Others have had some problems when using a sleeve.

Walts0731 · 04-20-2016, 07:06 PM

First thing I did after taking delivery of my 2500 Duramax Diesel was to weld the sleeve to the receiver. Have towed all kinds of trailers but mostly my 07 31 classic. Approximately 50,000 miles towing all over the US and Canada with a Hensley Hitch and no worries about slop or loosing the sleeve. There is no Airstream to my knowledge that requires a 2 1/2 receiver shank, although the additional capacity is welcomed.

Walter

SteveSueMac · 04-20-2016, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walts0731

First thing I did after taking delivery of my 2500 Duramax Diesel was to weld the sleeve to the receiver. Have towed all kinds of trailers but mostly my 07 31 classic. Approximately 50,000 miles towing all over the US and Canada with a Hensley Hitch and no worries about slop or loosing the sleeve. There is no Airstream to my knowledge that requires a 2 1/2 receiver shank, although the additional capacity is welcomed.

Walter

I have the same truck and opted for the 2.5" ProPride stinger. It's HEAVY! I wonder how much heavier than a 2"? Might be worth converting to a 2" and use the reducer...

hhendrix · 04-20-2016, 08:01 PM

My F250 has the 2 1/2" hitch. I bought an after market adapter and felt there was too much play. Then I bought the Ford adapter and it's been fine. I thought about welding, but didn't need too.

**moosetags** · 04-20-2016, 08:12 PM

I would not want to weld in a reduction adapter as it would make it a big deal if I ever wanted to or needed to use a 2.5" hitch bar.

Brian

Bruce B · 04-21-2016, 10:58 AM

I'd hesitate to weld it too but someone here talked about "caulking" it in... A urethane adhesive like 3M 4000 is UV stable. Strong as nails and can (with heat) be removed...
Sounds like it's not a bad idea?
Bruce

ROBERT CROSS · 04-21-2016, 01:13 PM

Ours is welded... Reese V TowBeast.

No rattles, and a nice feature....the pin wall is twice as thick, less chance of developing an egg hole.

Bob

RVDreamer · 04-21-2016, 01:42 PM

I have a propride and need to use the insert with the Propride stinger. No problems, no movement, and no issues with towing.

However it does make trying to insert the pin in the ProPride stinger a pain. Now you have to slide the pin thru three holes on each side (the Ford receiver, the 2" adapter, and the Propride stinger) which makes perfect alignment difficult. There is very little clearance between the outside diameter of the pin and the inside diameter of each insert hole.

rmkrum · 04-21-2016, 01:48 PM

Get an alignment tool. It's a longish tapered pin that you can use to pry the parts into position before you try to put in the hitch pin. Makes it easy to align without seeing through the holes.

Harbor Freight or your local big box home improvement store is a possible source.

Sent from my pocket Internet using Airstream Forums

paiceman · 04-21-2016, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moxie t. moto

I was told by equalizer that they did not sell to individuals only to dealers! Wanted to purchase a longer shank. Does not compute! !!

I don't get this one at all. I called, talked to a tech at Equalizer and ordered directly from him.. I lost the specific name but his initials on the packing slip are JS and it came from Progress Mfg Inc, 383 South 1100 West - Provo, UT 84601 Phone 801-377-9599.

The part number is 90-02-4700 - 2-1/2" Shank 12" longx3" max drop or 7" rise. Then I also ordered an extra ball as it is a little hard to find if the one I have goes bad.

I switched to the 2-1/2" shank as the reducer(s), I tried several, were getting bent and wedged into the receiver and at times very hard to get the reducer out. Now no issues.

Good Luck

Bud

minddr · 04-21-2016, 03:16 PM

This forum is great! Thank you all for your feedback. I ended up buying an Anderson aluminum insert which is supposed to have a tighter fit than others. Have not tried to tow yet. The dealer where we are buying the Airstream from told me they cannot get a 2 1/2 inch hitch and I had to get the insert. I am getting the Equalizer hitch. I think I read one of the responses saying they were able to get an Equalizer hitch with a 2 1/2 shank. I hope I am using these terms correctly.

paiceman · 04-21-2016, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by minddr

This forum is great! Thank you all for your feedback. I ended up buying an Anderson aluminum insert which is supposed to have a tighter fit than others. Have not tried to tow yet. The dealer where we are buying the Airstream from told me they cannot get a 2 1/2 inch hitch and I had to get the insert. I am getting the Equalizer hitch. I think I read one of the responses saying they were able to get an Equalizer hitch with a 2 1/2 shank. I hope I am using these terms correctly.

I found the same one in a 2-1/2" shank on Amazon as well as on the Equalizer website. Not sure why your AS dealer could not get one, maybe they simply did not want to.

minddr · 04-22-2016, 09:52 AM

I called the equalizer and they told me they did have 2 1/2 inch Shanks but only for a drop up to 6 inches. Actually they have three sizes. However, my RV dealer says I need a 9 inch drop which they do not make it this time but interestingly enough they are thinking of making it. So I guess I will go with my insert.