All the aftermarket drawbars I can find in my srea extend about 6" from the the receiver since the shaft is so long on all of them. Is there a draw hitch that is available that is fit closer to the F-150 factory receiver???

//Johnny

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99 XLT 4DR, 4.6L #2, Auto, 3.55 LS, Silver Clearcoat Metallic, Capt Chairs, Westin Sidesteps, Ford Molded Mudflaps, E&G Billet Grille, TriGlas Cap, Perrycraft Racks, K&N Filter, Visteon CD-6, TS-A6815s

Future Mods - Granatelli MAS, Superchip, Hellwig AS Bar, Bilstein Shocks, Grille Guard, PIAA Driving Lights

 

Hi Johnny, that length is pretty much standard and really comes in handy on tight turns for protecting the bumper from the trailer. You wouldn't believe some of the predicaments I get myself into at the boat ramps and backing into a tight parking space.

I don't leave the drawbar in when I'm not towing as I've seen some do. That would be a real shin buster walking around the truck. I have a nice chrome cap to plug the hole. I keep the nice chrome drawbar in the storage bin.
First Class all the way!

 

The welded ones fit very close to the bumper -- and allow enough turning radius -- and reduce the hop which can result from the long extension.

They're also lighter (I can carry mine with three fingers).

Many people use the standard shin-buster as a way of preventing errant parking-lot crunches of the $75 harness and bracket -- or as a scratch-repellant for the $210 non-genuine-State-Farm-Approved bumper, $96 bracket, $23 cover, $32 pad, $122 Stabilizer, trailer hitch, $9.00 license assy, $8.00 bracket and $90 in labor = $622.64 (guess how I know).

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Y2K™

XLT SC SB 5.4L 3.73LS

 

Thanks - I see your point about the positive aspects of having the drawbar extend that far when jack knifing a trailer to get into tight spaces, and the preventative advantages of leaving the drawbar in place. I just can't figure out how you know the replacement cost of all those bumper parts so well!

Guess I'll go ahead and buy the $29.95 generic 2" drawbar.

//Johnny

 

I leave my drawbar on all of the time for the very reason....they hit that instead of my truck...it is tough on the shins when I forget about it.

I had a lady YELL at me for leaving it on my truck after she broke her car's grill after hitting it in the Wal-Mart parking lot. She said we "shouldn't be allowed" to leave it on, it causes too much damage...then I told her, that she IS NOT allowed to hit other people vehicles.....she left all PO'd and I left laughing!!!!



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99 F150 4x4 SC, 5.4L, ORP, wedgewood blue/gray