2.5" receiver to 2" sleeve causing RATTLING and MOVEMENT on bike rack

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Bryan tahoe

Junior Member
Joined
Jan 10, 2019
Posts
10
Reaction score
0
Location
Tahoe
Ram Year
2018
Engine
6.7 cummins
My Ram came with a sleeve that sizes down the 2.5" receiver to 2". I just got a 2" bike rack. But the adapter sleeve is loose and causes the bike rack to move all over the place. Does anyone know of a shim or locking kit that could keep everything motionless? Thank you.
 

jawzs2

Senior Member
Military
Joined
Mar 24, 2014
Posts
1,849
Reaction score
2,265
Location
South Jersey
Ram Year
2010, 2014
Engine
1500, 3500

Dean2

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 17, 2021
Posts
2,718
Reaction score
3,941
Location
Near Edmonton
Ram Year
2021 2500
Engine
6.4
If you are going to leave it in permanent have it tac welded in place. If you want to be able to remove it you can drill and tap a screw through the side of the 2.5" receiver to tension the sleeve. Other choice is to wrap the sleeve with nylon, or hockey tape before sliding it in place.
 
OP
OP
B

Bryan tahoe

Junior Member
Joined
Jan 10, 2019
Posts
10
Reaction score
0
Location
Tahoe
Ram Year
2018
Engine
6.7 cummins
I think I found a solution, I'll post later.
 

mtofell

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2014
Posts
2,631
Reaction score
2,269
Ram Year
2014
Engine
Hemi 6.4
First thing I'd try is just a different brand. Mine fits nice and snug.
 

GTyankee

Senior Member
Supporting Member
Military
Joined
Nov 2, 2020
Posts
10,059
Reaction score
12,602
Location
El Cajon Calif. 92021
Ram Year
2016
Engine
3.0 ecodiesel
You could get someone with a welder to run some beads about 6 " long on the part of the adaptor that fits inside the receiver, or maybe the welder or you can figure out a better way to build up the adaptor shaft.
If the bead is a bit thick, just use a grinder to take a hair off.
The welder would not have to be certified, just someone that knows how much heat to use
 
Last edited:

John Jensen

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 27, 2016
Posts
1,511
Reaction score
1,646
Location
San Diego County
Ram Year
2016
Engine
Ecodiesel
Have the adapter tack welded to the receiver, That would remove any play and still be able to cut or grind off the tack welds if necessary in the future
 

2003F350

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 23, 2013
Posts
1,225
Reaction score
1,129
Location
Michigan
Ram Year
2022
Engine
6.7 CTD
Put the bikes in the bed.

Yeah I know it's a smart-ass answer...but unless you've got an astronomical number of bikes you should be able to make them fit. When I was a teenager we used to fit 4 adult-size bikes (dad, mom, me, my older sister) and 2 kid size bikes (my younger brother and sister) in the back of my dad's truck whenever we went on vacation.
 

jvbuttex

Senior Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Aug 5, 2016
Posts
326
Reaction score
162
Ram Year
2018
Engine
I-6
my bike rack has a bolt used as the pin. so there is a nut inside the rack that when in place the bolt tightens it all up. yes the slop is a PIA. If you really wanted, you could look around amazon / google for the bolt insert, there is a clip that holds it in place you could add to yours.
 

jvbuttex

Senior Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Aug 5, 2016
Posts
326
Reaction score
162
Ram Year
2018
Engine
I-6
yup the Curt anti rattle clip is exactly what i have in the rack. Thanks for posting a pic, worth more than 1000 of my words.
 

JayLeonard

Senior Member
Military
Joined
Oct 5, 2019
Posts
732
Reaction score
822
Location
Florida
Ram Year
2021
Engine
6.7 L Cummins
I added adhesive backed stainless shim stoct to 2 sides of my adapter. It is a "tap" fit now and doesn't rattle at all. I also shimmed my Equalizer shank the sae way and it rattles a little bit but not bad.
 

jvbuttex

Senior Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Aug 5, 2016
Posts
326
Reaction score
162
Ram Year
2018
Engine
I-6
@JayLeonard yes i have the similar issue with my WDH on the trailer... its a b@#$% aligning that reducer and the shank itself. Almost ready to pony up the $$$ for the bigger shank.
 

2003F350

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 23, 2013
Posts
1,225
Reaction score
1,129
Location
Michigan
Ram Year
2022
Engine
6.7 CTD
@JayLeonard yes i have the similar issue with my WDH on the trailer... its a b@#$% aligning that reducer and the shank itself. Almost ready to pony up the $$$ for the bigger shank.
If your reducer sleeve didn't come with a flange on the outer edge to keep it from sliding in too far, I'd buy a different sleeve - you likely don't have the factory sleeve anyway. Mine came with a flange on it and the holes line up almost perfectly each time, I've never had an issue, whether it be with my WDH, a standard hitch, my B&W stow & go...
 

JayLeonard

Senior Member
Military
Joined
Oct 5, 2019
Posts
732
Reaction score
822
Location
Florida
Ram Year
2021
Engine
6.7 L Cummins
I have the factory reducer with the flange. it lines up fine.
 

jvbuttex

Senior Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Aug 5, 2016
Posts
326
Reaction score
162
Ram Year
2018
Engine
I-6
yes my aftermarket does have little nubs on the end of the reducer, not quite perfect alignment, I manage.
 
Top