Correct Shank for 7 Drop with Fastway e2 Weight Distribution Round Bar System

Question:

I have a 10,000 lb Fastway E2 Round Bar Hitch. I recently moved from a Nissan Frontier to a Ford F-350 tow vehicle. requiring a hitch adjustment. I have what Fastway classifies as a 7 inch rise, 1 inch drop shank. it looks as if it can be used as either 7inch rise, 1inch drop or a 7inch drop, 1inch rise by just inverting the shank in the hitch head, but Fastway says I must buy their shank that is specified as a 6” drop 9” rise x 12” length. Can I just invert the shank I have?

asked by: Mark M

Expert Reply:

Even though your weight distribution (WD) shank (I believe is part # FA92-02-4100) has about a 6-1/2" drop, since drop/rise is measured to the trailer coupler (the ball mount platform basically) this means that the max drop of a WD shank won't equal the max rise of the shank when it is inverted due to head assembly installing with 2 bolts. To achieve a true 7" max drop you would have to disregard the bottom bolt for the head unit and only use the top bolt hole of the head unit # FA94-00-1033 in the bottom mounting hole on your WD shank.

Because of this you need to use the larger shank # FA92-02-4214 to get a 6" drop like you mentioned.

expert reply by: Jon G