Hitch sleeve size reducer / adapter

[JohnM45]

Couple weeks ago, I bought a hitch sleeve reducer (brand was "Curt" #45405) only to find out that neither of my two hitches would slide into the reducer far enough to allow the retaining bolt/pin to line up.

Is there a brand reducer that is sized better for the Ram hitch? Maybe this is a dumb question and I should just go buy a Mopar reducer. Looking online, those seem to have a collar which keeps the reducer from sliding too far into the receiver. That collar would seem to cause the same issue with my hitches.

My hitches are just standard 2" hitches for smaller trailers...

Anyone have any experience with a particular brand that works? Maybe someone can comment on their Mopar brand and if there were issues with hitches lining up. I'm guessing most people have the Mopar if it came from the factory that way.

Here's a pic to help explain what I'm talking about:

 

[AH64ID]

I'm slowing working towards getting away from needing the adapter, but the MOPAR one has worked with every shank I've tried.

 

[JohnM45]

I'm slowing working towards getting away from needing the adapter, but the MOPAR one has worked with every shank I've tried.

Dang that was fast - you're working as hard as I am today.

Good to know...looking at the pics of it online, I figured I'd surely have the same issue. Would love to get away from 2" shanks as well, but, for as much as I tow , I didn't want to spend the money at the moment.

 

[BarryG]

Same here hate the dang adapter (oem) as it just creates more slop and noise but it works fine with every shank I have used as well. I just need to pony up and replace my multiball shank setup hitch with a 2.5 inch size . My current one is a Trimax Razor but the same in 2.5 inch is well over 3 bills. The Anderson Rapid Hitch in that size is a bit over 2 bills. I Just haven't been able to justify spending 2 bills on a new one so far at least just to make me feel better when the current one really does just work fine albeit with too much noise and slop for my personal taste.

 

[JohnM45]

OK, good to know. Looks like I just need to order up a MOPAR. Yeah, the price of a hitch is kind of crazy. Right in there with a quality bench vise, right? Kind of obscene. But, any heavy, quality steel piece of <fill in the blank> is $$$$

I'm going to go home and measure the distance to the retaining pin hole on my hitch shank and make sure there is room to get it into the receiver.

 

[BigPapa]

Can't you just cut it off or turn it around? The hole doesn't look centered.

 

[SnoKing]

The OEM Mopar adapter should be under the rear seat on the drivers side. If not, the dealer owns you one. My cold weather grilll cover was there also if I remember correctly. SnoKing

 

[Larry Willard]

I bought a Reese one at WalMart. The Mopar one is far better, Reese doesn't have a stop so it is a pain to hold the adapter in place and slide in ball mount at the same time. I have just bought a 2 1/2 inch shank with a longer drop for my dump trailer (12000 gross) which is the heaviest trailer I am now pulling, but the old one was too short to make the trailer level. I will still use the Reese adapter with my boat trailer and undecided for the flat bed.

 

[JohnM45]

Can't you just cut it off or turn it around? The hole doesn't look centered.

I thought about that, but don't really have a good way to cut it off nicely. Plus, having some sort of collar to keep it from sliding into the receive too far seems handy. The picture made it look a bit off center, top-to-bottom. I returned it and got my $15 back...looks like a Mopar is $30.

 

[JohnM45]

The OEM Mopar adapter should be under the rear seat on the drivers side. If not, the dealer owns you one. My cold weather grilll cover was there also if I remember correctly. SnoKing

I bought the truck second-hand. And I have no back seat - I got one of them weird Regular Cab, Long Bed trucks. I support the LBDT community.

I was also wondering about the cold weather cover. Reading the owner's manual on the 6.7 Cummins, the grill cover should be used in ambient temps under 32*F. I NEVER see guys in southeast PA with grill covers on their trucks. Interesting you bring this up....I'm going to have to order one.

 

[AH64ID]

I bought a cold weather cover on eBay, since my truck didn’t come with one.

I don’t see a lot of people using them either, but they make a huge difference in warm up times and thus cabin heat.


I watched for a used B&W adjustable hitch and got one on amazon for ~2/3 price. It said used, but was likely just a unused return. Somebody probably didn’t realize it was for a 2.5” receiver. I then sold all my non-WDH shanks, so in the end I think it cost $150 to upgrade to a single hitch... well worth it.

B&W Trailer Hitches Tow & Stow Double Ball Hitch 2 5/16" x 2" Balls with 2.5" Shank 7" Drop or 7 1/2" Rise https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BYHM91A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_R25EDbW7XX0MF

I’m undecided on welding a 2.5” sleeve to my WDH, or getting a 2.5” shank.

 

[JohnM45]

That B&W hitch is really nice; would be very handy to have that height adjustment.

I guess if your welding is up to snuff, that's a very strong way to do it. Would that make it easier to connect to the receiver?

I tow very rarely and if I do, its a small utility trailer that I borrow from my dad or some "tool" that I rent (lift, chipper, enclosed trailer, etc.) I guess the CTD is overkill for a hauler...meh...I am what I am and me likes what I like...

 

[AH64ID]

I guess if your welding is up to snuff, that's a very strong way to do it. Would that make it easier to connect to the receiver?

I’d probably have the local machine shop do it.

Not sure it would make it easier or harder, just remove slop.

I’d also have them drill out a 2nd hole for shortening the hitch on long trips.

 

[dieselshadow]

John, I have several of the Mopar hitch adapters. I don’t use them. One is brand new. You’re more than welcome to it.

 

[SnoKing]

I thought after your post on welding equalizer insert into the adapter was a good idea. Then, after thinking about it for a while, I thought that would limit towing support from someone else in case of having the TV go down!

 

[AH64ID]

I thought after your post on welding equalizer insert into the adapter was a good idea. Then, after thinking about it for a while, I thought that would limit towing support from someone else in case of having the TV go down!

No more than buying a 2.5” shank would. I’m not going to carry a 2” hitch in case I break down.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Simply buy this and your troubles are gone! Pictured is 2" but they make the same in 2.5".

 

[mpaulson]

I’ve welded my adaptor to my hitch that I use for my RV because of two reasons. One is slip and noise, the other is the extra shear forces on the pin bent the pin and start to elongate the pin hole on the trucks receiver. For heavier trailers I won’t use a loose sleeve for this reason.
I welded the sleeve at the front end(dead end not under any stress).
As for a winter front, get the Geno’s one that goes behind the grill. Much nicer in my opinion and it is not in surface contact with any exterior finishes and surfaces that may get scratched up from grit trapped under it over time. As well I don’t like the looks of the OEM ones. Just get the grill quick release kit as well, makes it easier to put it on.

 

[JohnM45]

As for a winter front, get the Geno’s one that goes behind the grill. Much nicer in my opinion and it is not in surface contact with any exterior finishes and surfaces that may get scratched up from grit trapped under it over time. As well I don’t like the looks of the OEM ones. Just get the grill quick release kit as well, makes it easier to put it on.

Great input! Thanks! I hadn't thought about that at all. I'd have been ticked to take it off in the Spring and find hazy paint/ chrome from abrasion!

 

[JohnM45]

John, I have several of the Mopar hitch adapters. I don’t use them. One is brand new. You’re more than welcome to it.

You're a scholar and a gentleman, my friend. Thank you!