Welcome to the forum. When you get a chance, please check out the Welcome Letter to New Members here: https://gdrvowners.com/forum/main-fo...to-new-members

Below is a pic of my setup. I have the 2000# Blue Ox installed on my '17 F-350DRW. As you can see, the 7-hole gives me more than enough adjustability.


Note: In the pic above the Blue Ox is "half installed"--the anti-rattle clamp is not around the ball mount and the Blue Ox arms are not engaged. The point is to show the shank, not a fully-installed setup.

My fellow moderator, TucsonJim , wrote in another thread every Grand Design travel trailer I've checked in the past ranged from 23-1/2" to 24-1/2" from the ground to the top of the hitch coupler.

If you go with the Blue Ox, consider getting an anti-rattle hitch clamp (look closely at the pic above and you'll see it around the Ford receiver). Make sure and get the correct size for the shank. (The Amazon link is for the 2 1/2" I use on my truck and Blue Ox setup.)

Also consider Lippert's Strapteks. They transform the Blue Ox and make it wonderfully easy to use and adjust. https://store.lci1.com/straptek-weig...it-335852.html
My experience with the product is documented here: https://gdrvowners.com/towing-and-hi...st-impressions

Again, welcome, and congrats on your new trailer!

Howard

Lhinaz71 -- this former thread may be of interest: https://gdrvowners.com/towing-and-hi...y-hitch-battle

Perfect, thank you. Though, I was hoping you were going to say I need the 9 hole shank. Oddly enough the kit with the 9 hole shank is $150 cheaper than the one with the 7 hole shank.

In addition to the 7" vs. 9" question, Howard also mentioned 2" vs, 2-1/2" shank size. I started with the 2' shank, and eventually switched to a 2-1/2" (7 inch) shank for my Reflection TT, and 2016 Ford F350.

The primary reason for the change was to eliminate the sleeve that had to be used with the 2" version. When looking at the receiver hitch placard on my truck, I am rated for a 19,000 pound trailer with a 1,900 pound tongue weight with the 2-1/2" shank. But that is reduced to 12,500# trailer and 1,250# tongue weight with the 2" shank and sleeve combination. Although my trailer is less than 12,500#, my tongue weight is around 1,300# which exceeds the specs when using the sleeve. So I'm recommending checking your hitch placard to see what the limitations are for your truck.

To complicate this one step further . . . Ford has gone to a 3" receiver with a larger hitch pin on the 2022 F350. I do not know if this is true for F250 but you should be able to find the owners manual for your new truck online. The 3" receiver uses a 3/4" pin. Sleeves are required for both the receiver and pin hole to use a "standard" 2 1/2" shank with a 5/8" pin hole. Yet another sleeve is required to use a 2" shank. See attached page from the F350 owners manual. Getting rid of the sleeves and using the 3/4" pin would probably be best.

Rob

I use the 2 1/2 inch, 9-hole shank on my F-250 and it's perfect if that helps.