BO Sway Pro users with 2017 F250/350 questions

[2wiresdave]

I am finalizing a purchasing a hitch for a new to us 2010 Flying Cloud 30 rear bed. The Blue Ox Sway Pro is where we are leaning currently.

Our 2017 F350 is sitting really high. We have a 6" drop hitch we towed home with and that was perfect. Blue Ox makes some longer drop hitches in the 2" receiver but only makes one 2 1/2" receiver and I think it might not have enough drop as it is only a 7 hole and I am thinking I might need the 11 hole based on the ball height with 7 hole.

I would love to have a 2 1/2" hitch head as I feel it would have less slack/slop that using the reducer.

Anyone have 2017 Ford Super Duty with a Blue Ox that can comment on your set up?

[joshjack]

I have a RAM 2500 that sits real high. The dealer threw in a 2" drop receiver. I've not had any problems with slack, the trailer really doesn't jerk around at all.

[KCCO]

We tow with a ram, not a superduty, but have the same issues. The sleeve does allow for a good bit of slop, and I'm ordering a 2.5 inch replacement today. There are other posts on the forums with Superduty owners experiencing the same thing. I think it was ray Eklund who started the thread.

[Jmacd]

I've got a 2015 F250 SCC 2WD and tow a 30' International with a BOSP. I was annoyed with the "slop" when using the Ford 2" to 2 1/2" receiver adaptor so I purchased a BO 2 1/2" 7-hole shank. This eliminated the shank/reciever" slop. After reading an article by Andy at CanAm in Airstream Life, I had a machine shop drill an additional 5/8" hole in the shank which allowed the BO shank to slide into the receiver an additional 1 3/4" bringing the ball that much closer to the rear axle of the TV. The machine shop also cut-off the bottom 2" of the 7-hole riser to improve ground clearance. You won't need to do this with a 4WD. I then purchased a new 2 5/16" ball with a long threaded shank and some grade 5 washers which allowed me raise the ball 1/2" above the shank base to fine tune the ball height and give me a level trailer. Jim

[2wiresdave]

I just called Blue Ox yesterday inquiring about a 9 hole 2 1/2" shank as they currently only have the 7 hole available. The person I spoke to when I explained that I need a 9 hole with a 2017 F350 due to the increased hitch height they seemed genuinely interested in the fact that the 7 hole wasn't enough. Hoping they come out with a 9 hole 2 1/2" shank sooner than later as i really don't like all that slop - and having another hole drilled to bring the trailer even closer is a great idea.

[Jmacd]

2wiredave, you might be just fine with the 7-hole shank. Unless you have a lift kit or tires much larger than the Ford OE 4WD tire size you might be OK. With my 7-hole shank on my 2WD I have two unused lower ball mount attachment holes. Maybe that's why the Blue Ox tech staff was puzzled why you'd need a 9-hole. Just sayin'? Jim

[2wiresdave]

I have the 9 hole in the standard 2" currently as the 7 hole was too short. The new trucks are Tall with a capital T.

[wponder]

Any updated info on this topic? I just traded in from a F150 with a 2" lift to a F350 4x4. I used the default 2" shank 7hole turned up on the lowest setting.

Center of the AS hitch is 17 3/4". Center of the shank hole on the F350 is 18 1/2". Just to test I turned the shank down and put it on the lowest setting and its no where close. Measures 28" to top of ball I think ( I need to re-verify that )

[KCCO]

I have a ram 2500 - but have the same issues...... I’m currently using a sleeve with a 2” shank that get me pretty close to the height needed. But, there is a ton of slop using that sleeve, and I have yet to be able to find a 2 1/2” shank long enough.

[KCCO]

Has anyone figured this out yet? While looking for the longest 2 1/2” shank I could find I came across the Gen Y hitch. They make a 2 1/2” shank with a 9 1/2” drop.

Anyone have any experience with Gen Y hitches? They are pretty highly rated from what I’ve read.

[Dave18134]

I have a 2017 F-250 towing a 27' FC. I use a BO 2" 9-hole drop with the ball set in the 6th and 8th holes from the top. I usually set the tension on the sway bars at the 8th link from the loose end. This setup has worked very well for us.

[Hans627]

Originally Posted by KCCO

Has anyone figured this out yet? While looking for the longest 2 1/2” shank I could find I came across the Gen Y hitch. They make a 2 1/2” shank with a 9 1/2” drop.

Anyone have any experience with Gen Y hitches? They are pretty highly rated from what I’ve read.

Just curious if you ultimately went with the 2 1/2" shank Gen Y hitch?

Thanks!

[KCCO]

Missed this somehow, my apologies!

No I didn’t - the gen y shank wasn’t compatible with my Blue Ox, and I wasn’t interested in changing hitches.