As some of you Midwesterners might know there is an alternative to the traditional receiver hitch frequently used by farm trucks, the ag hitch. Generally speaking they are rated for more than your typical receiver hitch and they have three distinct differences: they do not have removable ball mounts. The tongue for the ball can be unlocked and extended or swung side to side for hookup. And the tongue is connected to the frame through rubber or metal springs to cushion the starting and stopping jarring.
For me the disadvantage of having to swap out individual balls on the tongue plus not being able to use a weight distributing hitch has made me steer clear. Right now, though, there is one for sale locally with a receiver instead of the normal tongue, and my Transit isn't rated for a weight distributing hitch anyway.
Since I will be building the frame extensions and hitch anyway, any reason not to take advantage of the adjustability and shock absorbing feateres?
