2.5" to 2" receiver reducer.

[tuffr2]

Since when is a Curt reducer $27.99 just under $30 with tax? I expected to pay $10. Anyway I did not need it since I was able to find mine under the front seat of the truck.

How do the big trucks do it with 2 reducers. 3" to 2.5" to 2"?

[jondrew55]

Originally Posted by tuffr2

Since when is a Curt reducer $27.99 just under $30 with tax? I expected to pay $10. Anyway I did not need it since I was able to find mine under the front seat of the truck.

How do the big trucks do it with 2 reducers. 3" to 2.5" to 2"?

Same. I bought one for my RAM 2500 and a few weeks later found one under the rear seat

[Grit dog]

Originally Posted by tuffr2

How do the big trucks do it with 2 reducers. 3" to 2.5" to 2"?

Those that know what they're doing don't use reducer sleeves. Reducers are fine for occasional and or lightweight towing. However it's easy to bend hitch pins and also damage the receiver pin holes using a reducer for heavy loads or frequent/high mile towing.
If you can afford a truck new enough and big enough to have a 2.5 or 3" hitch, buy the right size hitch shank.
But yes, I've seen Ford owners (says a bunch right there, lol) go double duty on reducers. I've also cut and pounded bent hitch pins out of hitches with reducers more than a couple times, but never bent a hitch pin in a proper setup.

[tuffr2]

I am not sure I have seen all the shank sizes. Do they even make a 3" shank for a 2" ball mount? A guy that has a big truck to tow all his toys might have a bass boat that only has a 2" ball. A bass boat that weighs maybe 3,500lbs.

Guys like me. I had a F-450 that towed my 5th wheel plus towed my little Seadoo PWC. Sure it looked stupid but I only had 1 truck so it towed all my toys. My 2012 F-450 only had a 2.5" receiver. I think now that truck comes with a 3" receiver.

[Grit dog]

And the 3” Ford receivers are basically for marketing. If you look at the capacities compared to other heavy 2.5” hitches, both OE and aftermarket, the 3” Ford hitches don’t haul more.
Sort of off topic but one of those silly things.

[tuffr2]

I think the GM trucks hitches are better than the Ford hitches for carrying weight. But both hitches look like part of the frame now. Impressive to say the least.

[Tim_T]

I have an F450 on order. When/if the truck is built and delivered, I plan to get something like:
https://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Trailer_Hitch_Ball_Mount-pt-Three_Balls-hs-Fits_3_Inch_Hitch.aspx

Yes, it's pricey, but not worse than having to buy 3 balls and 3 3" ball mounts, or smaller mounts and sleeves to adapt to the 3" receiver.

And yes, my little tiny boat trailer will look silly behind an F450.

[Gammel]

"How do the big trucks do it with 2 reducers. 3" to 2.5" to 2"?"

I haveva 2" shank on my Equalizer because that's what fit my F150. Now that I'm a proud owner of a F350 I've been forced to become an expert on reducers and slop tighteners, none of which work except for the B&W was it? Anyway, them days are done now that I've received my Shocker with a 3" shank. Anybody want a well kept Equalizer?

[tuffr2]

I have heard the reducers make noise. Using 1 factory reducer I don't notice any noise towing the Seadoo PWC. I also towed a 2,800 little runabout boat and did not notice noise with 1 reducer.

I do pinch the tip of my finger as I try to keep the holes aligned to put in the pin.

I bet with two receivers lining up the holes is extra difficult with more chance to pinch your finger...ugh.

[mto502]

Originally Posted by tuffr2

I am not sure I have seen all the shank sizes. Do they even make a 3" shank for a 2" ball mount? A guy that has a big truck to tow all his toys might have a bass boat that only has a 2" ball. A bass boat that weighs maybe 3,500lbs.

Guys like me. I had a F-450 that towed my 5th wheel plus towed my little Seadoo PWC. Sure it looked stupid but I only had 1 truck so it towed all my toys. My 2012 F-450 only had a 2.5" receiver. I think now that truck comes with a 3" receiver.

Originally Posted by Grit dog

And the 3” Ford receivers are basically for marketing. If you look at the capacities compared to other heavy 2.5” hitches, both OE and aftermarket, the 3” Ford hitches don’t haul more.
Sort of off topic but one of those silly things.

The Ford 3" receiver has higher capacities than the Ford 2 1/2" receiver, so I'm not sure where you got your info.

The tongue load capacity is over 2000 lb's, and trailer weight is over 20,000 lbs.

This is a 3" receiver with a 3" shanked GenY with a 2" and 2 5/8" ball. I'll need the 2" ball for the UHaul trailer rental I'll be using to haul my Samurai out to Alberta to put in the toyhauler when I pick it up next week. The toyhauler has around a 2000 lb tongue weight, so I wanted the 3" receiver for the extra capacity, or was it just the marketing and I'm a sucker as a typical Ford owner? lol

[tuffr2]

That is a good picture with a 3" shank and 2" ball. Thanks for posting it. So this is what I would use to tow a Seadoo PWC plus a big heavy trailer. That looks like a good set-up. The 2" ball does look small.

On my 2.5" receiver I only have a 1,500lb weight capacity. I have seen other 2.5" recivers with just a little more weight carrying capacity like 1,550 on 2019 F-250.

So on a 3" receiver it can carry 2,000lbs of weight and is not just marketing. Good to know.

Again good picture.

[wrvond]

My truck came with the 3" receiver that wasn't optional. At the time, and as far as I know it's still true, there aren't many 3" shank hitches available. When I was pulling travel trailers I used a Blue Ox equalizer hitch that had a 2.5" shank and welded the OEM provided reducer into the 3" receiver. It's been that way since 2017. When I pull the pontoon boat I use the 2.5" to 2" reducer with the 2" ball equipped hitch with no issues.

[mto502]

Originally Posted by tuffr2

That is a good picture with a 3" shank and 2" ball. Thanks for posting it. So this is what I would use to tow a Seadoo PWC plus a big heavy trailer. That looks like a good set-up. The 2" ball does look small.

On my 2.5" receiver I only have a 1,500lb weight capacity. I have seen other 2.5" recivers with just a little more weight carrying capacity like 1,550 on 2019 F-250.

So on a 3" receiver it can carry 2,000lbs of weight and is not just marketing. Good to know.

Again good picture.

This breaks down the different receivers and what truck you need to get whatever capacity you're looking for. The later model Ford trucks (2020 and up I believe) have higher capacity receivers than previous years:

[mto502]

And a little more info. All the 2000lb plus tongue weight and 20k lb plus trailer weight receivers are 3":