WDH options

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jvbuttex

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Traded in my old Ram 1500, just picked up my new to me 2018 2500 Ram. This will now be tow vehicle for my 20 Passport GT weighing right about 6klbs. Trying to setup the old WDH from my 1500 to this new truck height couple things noticed...
bed height about 4" higher
recover is 2.5"

Looking at options for replacing shank only, I would like a longer recover shank so that i can open the bed. I know there some out there ( maybe in 2" only) from precious conversations with the staff at Camping world. Seems from Reese there in the 2.5" option there is NO extended shank options. Is this the norm across all manufactures? Still doing research on that, however its Sunday so not many places open to call. Id like to stick with the 2.5" option so there is no rattle from the adapter / hitch / receiver. This might be limiting my options. Current shank has 7 holes, from tape measuring, seems like i need 11 holes to adjust from to get enough drop.

Anyone know any other companies out there with extended shank and good size drop?
 

OC455

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I replaced the 2 inch (Class IV) shank on my Curt Trutrack (17500) with a Curt 2.5inch 8 inch drop shank that works with my TruTrack.


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jvbuttex

jvbuttex

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yes I saw those on the site. wonder if the Curt will work with equalizer brand? i need to find some dimensions. Thanks
 

JayLeonard

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Traded in my old Ram 1500, just picked up my new to me 2018 2500 Ram. This will now be tow vehicle for my 20 Passport GT weighing right about 6klbs. Trying to setup the old WDH from my 1500 to this new truck height couple things noticed...
bed height about 4" higher
recover is 2.5"

Looking at options for replacing shank only, I would like a longer recover shank so that i can open the bed. I know there some out there ( maybe in 2" only) from precious conversations with the staff at Camping world. Seems from Reese there in the 2.5" option there is NO extended shank options. Is this the norm across all manufactures? Still doing research on that, however its Sunday so not many places open to call. Id like to stick with the 2.5" option so there is no rattle from the adapter / hitch / receiver. This might be limiting my options. Current shank has 7 holes, from tape measuring, seems like i need 11 holes to adjust from to get enough drop.

Anyone know any other companies out there with extended shank and good size drop?

When I switched from a 17 1500 (2wd) to a 2021 2500 (4wd) was able to use the existing shank. I turned the shank upside down and dropped the ball mount to the lowest setting. That made it within 1/2 inch of the height I had on the 1500.
I also shimmed the 2 inch adapter so it was tight in the 2 1/2 inch receiver.
This was on an equalizer wd hitch.

ALSO, I was able to easily rotate my trailer's jack head 90 degrees so my tailgate would open. I had to drill and tap 2 holes. It was about a 1/2 hour job.
 
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White six four

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Loudram

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Weigh Safe True Tow has an extended 2.5" shank that comes in a 6" or 8" drop. You can lower your tailgate using that but it's rated for up to 2k tongue and 20k towing. It might be too heavy duty for your trailer. You'd have to call them to find out.

I'm using the 2" model with a 6" drop and it's rated for 1.5k tongue and 15k towing. It also comes in 8". I can drop the tailgate with it too. You could try this one and use a sleeve. 20210624_111019_HDR_1.jpg20210624_111504_HDR.jpg
 

dhay13

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Can't speak for the extended shank or 2" vs 2.5" but my son bought a Husky TS Centerline WDH and the RV dealer had set it up for my 2013 1500. He then bought a 2018 2500 and we lowered it to the lowest set of holes and when we scaled it on the CAT scales it was perfect. He towed it 8500 miles all across the country and it towed fine. It was a 2" shank so needed the adapter. But point is the Husky is fine with the 2500. And it had the Off-Road package which I have heard sits 1" higher than the other 2500's.
 

2003F350

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If you have a WDH system with bars and chains, and a stand-alone sway control, I would suggest just running an adapter and adjust your height, then use a bit less pressure on the bars and be done. You're out a couple hours of work and probably less than $50 for the adapter. The only reason I'd replace the shank is if you needed a lower drop, like I did for the PW.

This change in height MIGHT be enough to allow you to open your tailgate fully while hitched up. Though I must admit, I almost never need to get into the back of the truck when I'm hitched up to my TT - everything is either already loaded or in the camper that I would need to get to without unhitching. If I have to unhitch to get it, I probably don't need it that much.
 
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jvbuttex

jvbuttex

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Thanks all for the input. NO i don’t need to buy a complete WDH, I have one now, why buy new. Not at $3-$500 for the setup.

@Loudram , that’s quite the extension on that hitch. I would hope you can open that bed. That sits pretty far back. yes less tow weight capacity.

No my current shank cannot be flipped, its already in down position. It was in the lowest position with the previous 1500. I still need 2 more holes to adj from my calculations. I estimate the new 2500 sits 4" higher than the old 1500.

turning the jack head, hmmm I’ve heard of this in the past, don’t remember why I didn't. Might have to look at this again. Especially with the new truck bed ride height.
 

Gordo2212

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When I upgraded from half ton to 3500 this past spring I had to get a new shank as well for my WDH for camper. I found out that all of the shanks are pretty much plug and play with all of the standard units unless they are a special kind of WDH. I ended up getting a curt 2.5 inch shank with a 8 inch drop and it fit my Reese system fine.
 
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