Hitch..How tight?

[charliez]

How tight should the fit be on the hitch when it sits down into the rails? My truck had rails in it when I got it, and when the dealer dropped the hitch in, he had to use a hammer to make it seat. He said it was just right, but surely, your not suppose to beat your hitch in every time.

I measured the legs of the hitch, and they were about 1/16" narrower than the space between the holes on the rails. I shimmed the legs wider with a penny. It drops right in now.

Oh. I had to use a 4' prybar to get it out before shiming.

[charliez]

How tight should the fit be on the hitch when it sits down into the rails? My truck had rails in it when I got it, and when the dealer dropped the hitch in, he had to use a hammer to make it seat. He said it was just right, but surely, your not suppose to beat your hitch in every time.

I measured the legs of the hitch, and they were about 1/16" narrower than the space between the holes on the rails. I shimmed the legs wider with a penny. It drops right in now.

Oh. I had to use a 4' prybar to get it out before shiming.

[CyberVet65]

If the dealer had to "hammer" the hitch inplace....It means that the rails were installed without the hitch in place.
And you did the exactly right thing. That hitch should be easily removable without a pry bar.
Good going!
Chet

[Ray,IN]

Hi charliez. I wonder if that guy makes watches also?

[JRNOLL]

The Dealer is an old Pipefitter you know.

"Pound to fit, Paint to match."

[Ken Lenger]

You might be able to loosen the rail mounting hardware and then install the hitch and then re-tighten the hardware for a better fit. Some people recommend using new hardware if you do this as it's not recommended to re-torque the bolts, or so I've heard.