Towing with a 2 1/2 receiver

[minddr]

Are there any issues with a 2 1/2 in receiver with an insert which reduces it to 2 in. For example, play, or movement between insert and receiver?

[paiceman]

We found that the answer to your questions are yes. There has been play and movement. Therefore, we went to a 2-1/2" hitch, instead of the insert. No longer any play, at least not yet. We use an Equalizer hitch system and purchased the new hitch shank directly from Equalizer.

[Bruce B]

We have a new Ram with a 2 1/2" receiver and the insert...
Although there is a little play with the insert in with no load, I don't notice any more play with the bar in than I did with the 2" receiver in the Ford...
Once loaded up, I can't see the difference.
It will be interesting to see what others say.
Bruce

[bwoodtx]

I put the insert in mine and welded it on both ends....solved the clearance problem.

[AnnArborBob]

Our 2015 F-250 has the insert. Sure, there appears to be a little play when you wiggle the hitch ball when it's not hitched to the trailer but I don't notice it at all when hitched up and towing. This is a non-issue, don't give it another moment of thought.

[Tincampers]

I didn't like the insert or how far out the Blue Ox hitch bar sticks out. I replaced it with a Curt 17128. Nice hunk of steel.

[A W Warn]

When I was towing with a Silverado 2500 it had an insert. It rattled if I left in in the hitch and I thought someone might steel it. I got tired of having to remove it each time I used the hitch.
I do not have any equipment that used the larger opening, so I decided to secure the adapter in place. I did not want to weld it in, so I caulked around the inside of the receiver tube then slid the insert in place and inserted the pin. Then I caulked the visible end of the receiver and smoothed it with my finger. It looked great and functioned great. In the years I owned that truck that receiver adapter never moved enough to rattle again.

[ghaynes755]

No issues with mine. GMC 2500, ProPride, 2015 Classic.

[mcomeaux]

2016 Dodge with 2.5" I use the sleeve with no problem.

[moosetags]

We have two tow vehicles. a 2005 2500 Suburban and a 2011 3500 Silverado. The latter has the 2.5" receiver with which we use an insert. We have a Hensley. When we tighten up the weight distribution, any play between the hitch bar and receiver is gone.

We have now towed the Airstream about 50,000 miles with the 2.5" and reduction insert. We have not had any towing problems whatsoever with this combination.

Brian

[BoldAdventure]

I thought I read you shouldn't use WD with a sleeve. Not 100% sure however...

[jonnie3]

My Ram 2500 pulls without any problem using the sleeve insert.

[TomKirk]

12K vs 10K capacity. Nothing beats overkill.

I would however, resist the temptation of using adapters. Except for short distances, an adapter will be an Achilles' Heel. Get a 2.5" hitch to match your 2.5" receiver.

Tom

[boondockdad]

Originally Posted by minddr

Are there any issues with a 2 1/2 in receiver with an insert which reduces it to 2 in. For example, play, or movement between insert and receiver?

We definitely experienced added 'play' or 'slop' with a sleeve, in former tow vehicle.

Started off snug, but would quickly degrade. Posted about it in another thread here somewheres with pix....

It would end up being about an inch or more on both axis, which vertically, translated to as much as 200lbs lost in weight distribution (for our particular setup).
Not sure what effect it had in the horizontal axis... using Hensley

Replaced it with another, supposedly "hardened steel" sleeve, and it did the same thing.

I don't have that kind of shank-slop in our current 2" receiver.

[moosetags]

We have been using the reduction inset with our 2" Hensley hitch bar for some time now. The "slop" in our hitch bar with the adapter does not seem to be any greater than it is on our Suburban with a 2" Reese Class IV receiver.

Based upon this discussion, I placed a call to Hensley Manufacturing in Michigan and spoke to one of their technicians. I asked about this issue and was told that using a reduction insert did not present any problem whatsoever.

Brian

[m.hony]

Options:
1. some sort of shim or anti-rattle device to take out the slop/play
2. weld the sleeve, and then an anti'rattle device to take out slop and play
3. a new 2 1/2" shank and an anti-rattle device to take out slop/play

[amaier7771]

I use the Silent Hitch Lock. It not only keeps all movement to zero because of the bolt/nut combination, it also is keyed to keep your tow ball from being stolen!

http://www.amazon.com/Lets-Go-Aero-S...h+class+IV+pin

[moxie t. moto]

Originally Posted by paiceman

We found that the answer to your questions are yes. There has been play and movement. Therefore, we went to a 2-1/2" hitch, instead of the insert. No longer any play, at least not yet. We use an Equalizer hitch system and purchased the new hitch shank directly from Equalizer.

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

[m.hony]

I would think if you already own an Equal-I-zer hitch and then trade vehicles that they would sell you a longer shank if you needed one.


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[NWRVR]

My sleeve is flush with end of receiver with close tolerance fit. No more play than when I tow with my TV with the 2" receiver. I leave the reducer and locking pin in when not towing. Never heard any rattle..