[Northofu1]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

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Essentially, as with any assembly of components, the "entire assembly" assumes the limitations of the weakest link. What that means is that if your truck has a 2.5" receiver rated at 1800/18,000 (TW/MAX TLR) and you install a 2.5" shank rated at 1800/18,000 then the receiver is capable of towing that much weight.

On the other hand, if you insert a 2.5:2" sleeve and a 2" shank rated at 1400/14,000, then your receiver (even though it's rating is higher) can only tow the 1400/14,000 pound capacity (because it's limited by the shank rating).

That goes for any component used in the assembly. For instance, if the receiver is rated 1800/18,000, a 2" shank rated at 1400/14,000 and a WD hitch rated at 1250/12,500, then the "assembly" is limited to the lowest rated component, in this case the WD hitch.

Now, take that same assembly and install a trailer ball that's rated at 6,000 pounds max and that ENTIRE assembly is limited to towing a 6,000 pound trailer....

Sort of like installing 12,000 pound safety chains on the trailer tongue with 3/8" grade 5 bolts and "S" hooks rated at 1,000 pounds. Even though you've got a "hefty chain" it'll break (the entire assembly, not the chain) as soon as you reach the "lightweight "S" hook capacity.

So, the receiver rating is limited (from its maximum capacity) when you install a 2" sleeve and install a "lighter rated shank"....

But if the 2" shank rated for 1500lbs TW / 15000lbs Max tow weight, then whether it is in a sleeve or not doesn't diminish it's capability. The 2.5" receiver is rated higher than the 2" but does not affect the tongue and tow capacity of the WDH. Unless I am wrong