Trailer Hitch

[mach14604]

I have a 2012 F-250 with the camper package and trailer hitch. I noticed the first time I pulled with it that is has a insert that goes into the trailer hitch. It slides in and out. It seems to come out everything I pull the receiver. Is this normal? Why is it designed this way if it is correct? It is a pain to line up that sleeve and the reciever all to line up the hole for the pin. My 2008 F-250 did not do this or have this I think.

[Painted Horse]

It allows you to buy the old standard 2" stingers or to buy the newer heavier duty 2 1/4" stingers. In order to push up the tow ratings on these trucks, they need to use the 2 1/4" stingers. If you are pushing the limits of what you can tow on a bumper hitch, just go buy yourself the heavier stinger and throw away the adapter. It turns out many owners want to use the old stingers they have sitting around, So hence the adapter.

Just be glad your truck came with the adapter, The early 2011 did not and you had to buy the adapter.

[mach14604]

Originally Posted by Painted Horse

It allows you to buy the old standard 2" stingers or to buy the newer heavier duty 2 1/4" stingers. In order to push up the tow ratings on these trucks, they need to use the 2 1/4" stingers. If you are pushing the limits of what you can tow on a bumper hitch, just go buy yourself the heavier stinger and throw away the adapter. It turns out many owners want to use the old stingers they have sitting around, So hence the adapter.

Just be glad your truck came with the adapter, The early 2011 did not and you had to buy the adapter.

So the 2 1/4in is without the adapter? And the 2in is the adapter put in? Which one gives the the higher towing rating?

[SuperCrutyPS]

Originally Posted by Painted Horse

It allows you to buy the old standard 2" stingers or to buy the newer heavier duty 2 1/4" stingers. In order to push up the tow ratings on these trucks, they need to use the 2 1/4" stingers. If you are pushing the limits of what you can tow on a bumper hitch, just go buy yourself the heavier stinger and throw away the adapter. It turns out many owners want to use the old stingers they have sitting around, So hence the adapter.

Just be glad your truck came with the adapter, The early 2011 did not and you had to buy the adapter.

Originally Posted by mach14604

So the 2 1/4in is without the adapter? And the 2in is the adapter put in? Which one gives the the higher towing rating?

See above......

[sox3]

I didnt get the adapter with mine. They are 2 1/2 inch receiver tubes, not 2 1/4. I bought a sleve and welded a face flange on mine to line the pin holes up. You can buy a 2 inch receiver with flange but i dont know how well the holes will align.

[mach14604]

Originally Posted by mach14604

So the 2 1/2in is without the adapter? And the 2in is the adapter put in? Which one gives the the higher towing rating?

So is this correct or not?

[jesilvas]

Your recv is a 2.5".
Your adapter drops it to a 2".
A 2.5" recv has a higher rating.

[jasonmt]

...

[Painted Horse]

Sorry I ment 2.5" not 2 1/4" .

[JSolve]

I guess I should probably remove the adapter for safekeeping ; it came std equipment on my 2013 but looks like not on some other years.