Weigh Safe 180 Aluminum hitch with 3” shank, 10” drop

[Patriot]

Our Beast of Burden gets a new tail hook ha!

After doing a bit of a deep dive I decided to order up a new weigh safe aluminum 10” drop hitch with a 3” shank. I have been using 2 reducers and have never been a fan of them as they are a bit sloppy and noisy or simply too many moving parts.

I have to say out of the box I am really impressed with how solid this hitch is engineered. Really well done.  I opted to not go with the tongue hitch weight dial. According to quite a few user reviews, these dials use a rubber seal/oring and at times can fail and then require maintenance by replacing the seal. When the O ring fails you will notice fluid leaking from the hitch 👎🏻. Just not something I ever want to think about….ever especially on a long trip.

I did opt in for the stainless steel 2” and 2 5/16 balls vs chrome plated hitch balls and locking hitch pic all keyed alike . B&W tow and stow is also a good hitch which I was also considering. My  preference has always been aluminum as rust and corrosion will eventually take its toll on steel powder coats so I passed.

There is very little play with the new Weigh Safe 180 3” shank. That said, I did order this 3” anti rattle hitch clamp to keep everything buttoned up with zero play.

Edit- I ordered my hitch clamp directly their website. Quick shipping and excellent communication.

https://www.hitchclamp.com/collections/3-clamps

 

 

 

My reducers will no longer be used when towing XPLOR. 

 

Edited November 22, 2024 by Patriot
Update the link for Hitch Clamp products.

[jd1923]

@Patriot questions…

Link for hitch, weight rating?

Also, what are the safety chain connectors we see in your last picture? Link! I need these. it’s difficult getting under there on our TV.

Thank you, JD

[Patriot]

47 minutes ago, jd1923 said:

@Patriot questions…

Link for hitch, weight rating?

Also, what are the safety chain connectors we see in your last picture? Link! I need these. it’s difficult getting under there on our TV.

Thank you, JD

You bet JD, these are called 1/2” hammer locks and are rated for 12000 lbs ea. To your point they make it much easier to attach safety chains.
My Weigh Safe hitch is rated for 21,000 lbs. 

link -https://www.weigh-safe.com/product/weigh-safe-drop-hitch/?srsltid=AfmBOoolgTCwKhll9w1HP7E1phPvIgecdRRK__EUlWP7DPInx6CUJx0T

Edited November 12, 2024 by Patriot

[Geronimo John]

16 minutes ago, Patriot said:

Also, what are the safety chain connectors we see in your last picture? Link! I need these. it’s difficult getting under there on our TV.

Thank you, JD

This was a JD discussion several years ago.  Below are what was recommended for our OE2's.  It is not likely, but should these bit the dust I would get the 12,000  pounders vs. the 7100's.  It sure solved the getting under the TV on our F-150.

 

 

[ScubaRx]

7 hours ago, Patriot said:

Our Beast of Burden gets a new tail hook ha!

...I opted to not go with the tongue hitch weight dial. According to quite a few user reviews, these dials use a rubber seal/oring and at times can fail and then require maintenance by replacing the seal. When the O ring fails you will notice fluid leaking from the hitch 👎🏻. Just not something I ever want to think about….ever especially on a long trip...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081D8Z6LG?ref_=ppx_hzod_title_dt_b_fed_asin_title_0_0

You have chosen wisely to go with the Weigh Safe Hitch sans dial. I went through three of these (with the dial) and they all failed. I finally bought a Curt 45902 for our Silverado HD trucks. I moved the Weigh Safe Hitch to Tali's Canyon Diesel. All of our other trailers are pulled with that truck anyway and I don't have to swap from the Oliver's 2-5/16" ball to the 2" ball for the smaller trailers.

In my opinion, the use of a Weigh Safe Hitch with the dial in towing an Oliver is a WOT after the first use. Unless you are constantly loading the Oliver in different configurations, it's going to register approximately the same weight every time.

[Patriot]

5 hours ago, ScubaRx said:

In my opinion, the use of a Weigh Safe Hitch with the dial in towing an Oliver is a WOT after the first use. Unless you are constantly loading the Oliver in different configurations, it's going to register approximately the same weight every time.

Agreed, and I had the same thoughts. 👍🏻 

[topgun2]

I'll chime in on the hammer locks:

Patriot put me on to these a couple of years back and they are everything they are supposed to be as both Patriot and GJ state above.

Perhaps the only downside I can think of with these is that they could be a bit of a problem to remove.  But, why remove them?

Bill

[Patriot]

A vid in the event you need to remove the hammerlocks. (No plans to here).😎
While attached to the receiver as @topgun2 said it could be a little bit of a challenge. 

 

Edited November 13, 2024 by Patriot

[Geronimo John]

On 11/12/2024 at 3:52 AM, topgun2 said:

Perhaps the only downside I can think of with these is that they could be a bit of a problem to remove.  But, why remove them?

Bill:  You hit the nail square on the head.  

I found it a PITA to install, and will find a cutting torch or cut-off grinder to remove them if I ever need to.  

Problem is getting the shackle on something under the truck, in a way to allow for pounding a moving target to install the pin, especially if doing this solo.  Would be a PITA for sure.  Like you, mine stay on our TV 24/7.

Edited November 14, 2024 by Geronimo John
typo

[Ronbrink]

11 hours ago, Geronimo John said:

I found it a PITA to install, and will find a cutting torch or cut-off grinder to remove the if I ever need to.

Found a brand that uses a cotter pin to secure the connecting rod, any thoughts?

[jd1923]

2 hours ago, Ronbrink said:

Found a brand that uses a cotter pin to secure the connecting rod, any thoughts?

The cotter pin just keeps the connecting rod in place. This model should work fine.

Also wondering on these. Most are rated at 2500#. This one at 11,000# wondering how? Stronger steel. Others are stainless steel which is certainly a weaker steel.

https://a.co/d/aeiJN3k

[Ronbrink]

39 minutes ago, jd1923 said:

The cotter pin just keeps the connecting rod in place. This model should work fine.

Also wondering on these. Most are rated at 2500#. This one at 11,000# wondering how? Stronger steel. Others are stainless steel which is certainly a weaker steel.

https://a.co/d/aeiJN3k

12,000# working capacity, 46,000# breaking capacity per Amazon’s description. Good enough for me!

[rideandfly]

When Patriot told me about how he was connecting Ollie's chains, I did not use them at the time because Ollie's chains were easy to connect/disconnect on the Tundra hitch.

When I purchased the F-150, first thing I noticed the chain hooks were not as easy to connect/disconnect as they were on the Tundra, then I remembered what Patriot had said before. I thought Patriot was using lifting shackles (my mistake), so started using screw-pin lifting shackles (using blue Loctite on the threads) that also exceed federal guidance that makes it easy to connect/disconnect Ollie's chains.

Thanks David!

Hammer Locks:

https://www.mcmaster.com/products/hammer-locks/

Screw-Pin Lifting Shackles:

https://www.mcmaster.com/products/lifting-shackles/

Federal Guidance:

"If the ultimate combined breaking strength of the two chains is equal to the gross weight of the towed vehicle(s), the requirements of § 393.70(d) are satisfied. It should be noted that some States may have more stringent requirements for safety chains".

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/when-two-safety-chains-are-used-must-ultimate-combined-breaking-strength-each-chain-be-equal

[John Dorrer]

1/2", 12,000 lb Hammer Locks installed. Great addition. Thanks Patriot.

[topgun2]

Great addition, John.

Now, grab a can of Krylon semi-gloss black spray paint and give that hitch a shot.  All will look new again.

Bill

[Patriot]

7 hours ago, John Dorrer said:

1/2", 12,000 lb Hammer Locks installed. Great addition. Thanks Patriot.

Awesome! I prefer the black color over the red. Looking great John! 🤩👍🏻🇺🇸 

Edited November 17, 2024 by Patriot

[Patriot]

My 3” hitch clamp arrived today. I decided to cancel my order with Amazon and order directly from Hitch Clamp for a much quicker delivery. Very impressed with the fit and finish of this product. Zero play or movement with this robust clamp. They also gave me a Veterans discount. 🇺🇸👍🏻

https://www.hitchclamp.com/collections/3-clamps

 

 

 

Edited November 22, 2024 by Patriot

[ScubaRx]

Very nice. I could never decide which way was the correct installation orientation.

[Patriot]

13 hours ago, ScubaRx said:

Very nice. I could never decide which way was the correct installation orientation.

Thank you.

I had the same question when I called HC before placing my order. I spoke to a fella named Gabe. I asked him about proper fitment? He said it is designed to put the downward pressure on the shank vs the clamp lifting the down pressure/tongue weight up.

https://www.hitchclamp.com/pages/videos

Edited November 23, 2024 by Patriot

[Dave and Kimberly]

   Patriot-  I did a search and your post was exactly what I was looking for!   I'm upgrading my truck to an F-250 Super duty Lariat 6.7L Diesel...and I was considering exactly the hitch you bought.   Because I don't have the truck yet... I can't measure it up to determine which "drop" to get and ensure our Ollie rides nice and flat.    Did you need the 10" drop to make that happen... or do you just have multiple trailers that require it?  I see that the hitch comes in several drops... 6", 8" and 10" drops also.

    

[Patriot]

2 hours ago, Dave and Kimberly said:

   Patriot-  I did a search and your post was exactly what I was looking for!   I'm upgrading my truck to an F-250 Super duty Lariat 6.7L Diesel...and I was considering exactly the hitch you bought.   Because I don't have the truck yet... I can't measure it up to determine which "drop" to get and ensure our Ollie rides nice and flat.    Did you need the 10" drop to make that happen... or do you just have multiple trailers that require it?  I see that the hitch comes in several drops... 6", 8" and 10" drops also.

    

Hey Dave,

Great choice on TVs, I really like the 10 speed and of course the engine brake especially on roads like the Teton Pass with 10% grade. Ford nailed it with the engine brake and 10 speed transmission.

My particular Super Duty has the Tremor factory lift which if I recall is approx 1.5-2” depending on your tire size. I also run Nitto Ridge Grapplers. My recommendation is that you order the 8” drop and you should be fine since the standard SD does not have the factory lift. I do have another Aluma trailer that I use for various utilities. So the 10” drop with my trucks lift serves me well. I highly recommend this to keep things quiet when towing. - https://www.hitchclamp.com/pages/videos It works great.

Are you gong to be at the Rally? If so let’s get together and talk Super Duties! 👍🏻 If you have any other questions shoot me a PM, glad to help.

-David

Edited April 4 by Patriot

[Dave and Kimberly]

   Thanks for the quick response and information!   Yes... we are going to be at the rally this year (site E-03)  and only the second time we've been able to make it since we were there in 2022 right after buying our Oliver.   We are almost as excited to get this new truck as we were to get the Oliver!   We won't have it at the rally though... delivery isn't until late May... but trying to line up all our truck bling so that we can have it all ready!   Also getting a Smartcap Adventure to keep our gear a bit more protected back there.

    Lets be sure to hook up because I have lots of questions... and you can tell me all about your Alcan springs also!   (I have to say this carefully so as not to get another 20+pages started on the subject 🤣)   We CAN NOT WAIT to see everyone at the rally again!!

[ScubaRx]

16 hours ago, Dave and Kimberly said:

   Thanks for the quick response and information!   Yes... we are going to be at the rally this year (site E-03)  and only the second time we've been able to make it since we were there in 2022 right after buying our Oliver.   We are almost as excited to get this new truck as we were to get the Oliver!   We won't have it at the rally though... delivery isn't until late May... but trying to line up all our truck bling so that we can have it all ready!   Also getting a Smartcap Adventure to keep our gear a bit more protected back there.

    Lets be sure to hook up because I have lots of questions... and you can tell me all about your Alcan springs also!   (I have to say this carefully so as not to get another 20+pages started on the subject 🤣)   We CAN NOT WAIT to see everyone at the rally again!!

We'll be right down the road from you in E-05. Drop by and set a spell with us.

[BigTexas]

I purchased the same hitch when I switched to a 2500.   In addition to looking good it also allows you to reverse the balls under the truck when not in use to save your shins.  

[John Dorrer]

Had to remove my hammer locks. What a PIA. My Oliver installed chain hooks wouldn't fit.

 

Not sure what happened as I ordered what others purchased.