Most Popular Steel Shank - Matte Black for 1997 Ford F-250 and F-350 Heavy Duty

I just opened up my new Class 5 Curt XD hitch and have not yet installed it so my comments are based on first impressions only. It is very heavy duty - and heavy at 40 lbs. - made of extremely thick metal and outfitted with quality Grade 8 bolts with square necks so they won’t turn when torquing on the nuts to attach the main tube to the side mounting plates. My bolts are plated yellow (which I like) rather than silver as you may have seen in some online photographs. It is substantially beefier than my existing Grade 4 hitch and superior in every way. It’s an impressive piece of hardware. I cannot imagine anyone being disappointed with it on specifications, quality, strength, and general appearance. It’s a beast. What I AM disappointed in is Curt’s packaging and the condition in which the hitch arrived. (This is NOT a reflection on etrailer.com as the hitch arrived in Curt’s original packaging.) The unassembled main tube and the two side mounting plates come bundled together with nothing separating them but shrink wrap. No cardboard, plastic, even paper coming between the metal surfaces - just shrinkwrap probably not even a couple of mils thick. With basically metal-to-metal contact in an oversized-box with the bundle jostling around, it would be a miracle if there were no scratches, gouges, or some type of damage to at least one piece, which is exactly what happened to my hitch. The main hitch tube, on the exterior facing plane, on the driver side where I’ll see it every day, has some gouges on it that go through the powder-coating to bare metal. I can - and will - paint them to prevent rust (and, therefore, have to paint the whole hitch to match). But the gouges will still be noticeable as they go through the thicker, pebbly, powder-coat finish and will undoubtedly still appear as depressions in the surface even once painted. I fully realize this kind of surface damage will almost certainly happen with regular usage of the hitch anyway and that it’s certifiable to demand absolute perfection in anything. But if you are someone who cares about the aesthetics of your equipment and keeping it looking new for as long as possible, it is very disappointing to receive such an expensive and prominent piece of hardware damaged right out of the box and requiring immediate repainting. The plastic parts bag had also ripped open in transit, with nuts, bolts, shims, etc. rattling around in the box. I am dumbfounded that Curt packages such a high-quality piece of equipment so shoddily where such damage is virtually unavoidable. I bought from Curt solely due to their being an American manufacturer and to support American workers so this is doubly discouraging. It’s a trivial complaint in the big scheme of things and not worth demanding a replacement over. Just be aware that unless Curt changes their packaging practices it is very possible you will have the wind taken out of your towing project sails just as I have. Again, this in no way reflects on etrailer. My experience to date with etrailer (website, educational resources, staff reviews, ordering, tracking, email contact, etc.) has been beyond exemplary in every way. They rank as a Top Five online retailer in my opinion, maybe even the best.

First of all, the products you find at etrailer are not your garden variety, home depot kind of fair. Much higher quality and grade/weight ratings. So to be able to get hard to find items and then by orderring at least 100$ worth of stuff also get it delivered free in 4 days, is awesome. The prices are incredible too.

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Good heavy Hitch

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I bought my first ball mount way back when I was broke (bought the cheapest one in the big box store). With my new trailer I needed 14k capacity instead of 10k so I double checked the mount before buying a heavier duty ball...it was rated for only 5k!! Folks, check those mounts to make sure they're rated for the job!! This one is a honker btw, love it. Side by side with old it's like brick vs bubble gum, embarrassing I haven't upgraded sooner. And thanks for the guidance.

Great product and very helpful folks to talk to. I’ve ordered from etrailer many times and it won’t be my last.

This hitch is a very handy addition to my toolbox! I work for a county road department, and I’m always pulling different trailers to and from job sites. I can switch from a 2 5/16” ball hitch, to a pintle hitch with the flip of a lever! Thanks B and W!

Glad I bought this. Got it for a travel trailer that I picked up 500 miles away in western Montana. Wanted to make sure it would be some what level for ride home. Was able to lock down the latch on top which I thought was awesome!! No worrying about trailer coming unlatched.

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Good Quality and quick to install.

Bought to pull my boat with my Yukon and needed a drop hitch to level out the trailer. I wanted to buy a quality hitch, and let me tell you the B&W does not disappoint. Well engineered. It’s it heavy but when installed it is pretty easy to adjust height and ball size. Also supporting an American company is a plus!

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It has been a great hitch I've had no problems whatsoever and I love the fact that it's so easy to change between the three ball sizes I would absolutely order this hitch again you can't go wrong with B&W

Product is awesome. Shipping container was destroyed when it arrived. Product was not hurt.

Was hoping this would help with shock reduction. It doesn't. Has to fit loosely into hitch to function so it slams side to side and front to back. Would not recommend. Very disappointed in this purchase. Trailers service is exceptional. Easy to order. Arrived quickly, well packed.

Very heavy duty and perfect.

This is one solid hitch. Bought the hitch to pull about 5000 lbs. there's no doubt in my mind that it can handle it.

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Makes for a great hard-core dirt road set up with a 3000 pound trailer, in conjunction with the Curt rocker ball, Towing with an F150 over many miles of washboards, down through washes where the road was washed out, etc. Really makes for a gentler set up on the equipment in the trailer and the truck. Thanks a lot E-trailer!

My usage of your hitch is a bit unusual, I think. I pull a two ton roller with my Ram and I've used your cushioned hitch to smooth out the process. The roller Lunette just dropped over a 2" ball and then banged and jerked on the ball neck. Check out the photos for my adaptation.. I can flip it over and use the 2" ball! Have enclosed some photos. The cushion is holding up very well and it takes a beating!! Thanks

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I tried twice to get this hitch and ball from [online vendor]. Twice the shipment was lost and I had to get a refund. Shipment from etrailer is right the first time and arrived quickly. Plus, since the ball is already torqued on the ball mount, I don't need to by a large socket.

We’ve already installed it and hitched up the horse trailer. Works great for my needs. Half the weight of the much heavier weight distribution system we had been using (and will continue to use for Interstate travel). Hook up was fast and easy.

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