Weigh Safe CTB8-2.5-KA-CER-BLA Cerakote Black Drop Hitch

The Weigh Safe CTB8-2.5-KA-CER-BLA (MPN: CTB8-2.5-KA-CER-BLA) is a Class V, SAE J684-certified drop hitch built for serious heavy-duty trucks running a 2.5" shank receiver. With an 8" drop and a rated 18,500 lb GTW using the included 2-5/16" ball, this hitch handles the heaviest loads your F-250, Silverado 2500HD, Sierra 2500HD, or Ram 2500/3500 can legally pull. What separates this hitch from every other drop hitch on the market is the built-in glycerin-filled hydraulic tongue weight gauge that reads your actual tongue weight in real time before you leave the driveway. The Black Cerakote finish is a polymer-ceramic coating applied over 6061 T6 billet aluminum machined in Lindon, Utah. This is an American-made hitch backed by a Limited Lifetime Warranty.

Why the CTB8-2.5-KA-CER-BLA Outperforms Every Standard Drop Hitch

A standard drop hitch is a dumb piece of steel. You hook up the trailer, drive to the scale, discover your tongue weight is off, and either adjust the load or keep rolling and hope for the best. The CTB8-2.5-KA-CER-BLA eliminates that entire problem with a glycerin-filled hydraulic gauge machined directly into the slider assembly. Tongue weight reads on the dial while the trailer is connected and sitting on level ground. Weigh Safe recommends keeping tongue weight at 10 to 15 percent of gross trailer weight to prevent sway and jackknifing, and this hitch lets you confirm that number every single time.

The slider adjusts in 1-inch increments, giving you an 8" drop or a 9" rise from the same unit. The 180-degree rotation locks into the stow position under the vehicle when the hitch is not in use, keeping the shank and gauge protected. The 2.5" shank version is fully stowable; note that the 3" shank version of this hitch does not stow. Every structural component is machined from 6061 T6 aircraft-grade billet aluminum, keeping the assembly weight at just 19 lbs without sacrificing a Class V load rating.

Black Cerakote Finish: What It Is and What It Is Not

Cerakote is a polymer-ceramic composite coating originally developed for firearms. Applied to the 6061 T6 billet aluminum drawbar and slider of the CTB8-2.5-KA-CER-BLA, it provides significantly better resistance to corrosion, UV, abrasion, and road chemicals than standard anodizing or powder coat. The coating adds hardness and impact resistance without adding meaningful weight.

One important note: the Black Cerakote finish is not covered under the Weigh Safe Limited Lifetime Warranty. The warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship for the structural components. Finish wear, chips, and scratches are considered normal wear and are excluded. If a clean black appearance long-term is your priority, the LTB8-2.5-KA-CER-BLA uses the same Cerakote finish with stainless steel balls rather than chrome-plated steel, which may age more consistently in salt-belt environments.

Keyed-Alike Lock System: One Key for Everything

The "-KA" suffix in CTB8-2.5-KA-CER-BLA stands for Keyed-Alike. Both the ball mount lock assembly (which secures the height position and the combo ball) and the 5/8" hitch locking pin (which locks the drawbar into the receiver) use the same key. You carry one key for the entire hitch setup, not two separate keys for two separate locks.

The included key lock assembly uses a dual-pin lock plate design. A dust lock cover protects the lock cylinder when the hitch is parked or in storage. The hitch locking pin is 5/8" diameter and fits standard 2", 2.5", and 3" receivers. The non-KA sibling, CTB8-2.5-CER-BLA, does not include the hitch locking pin and uses a separate-key lock. If you run multiple Weigh Safe KA locks on your rig, contact Weigh Safe to confirm whether keyed-alike sets can be matched across multiple units.

What's Included with the CTB8-2.5-KA-CER-BLA

• 8" drop drawbar, 2.5" shank, Black Cerakote finish
• 180-degree slider with built-in glycerin-filled tongue weight gauge
• 2" chrome-plated steel ball (rated 8,000 lbs GTW)
• 2-5/16" chrome-plated steel ball (rated 18,500 lbs GTW)
• Ball retaining pin
• Key lock assembly (dual-pin lock plate), Keyed-Alike
• Dust lock cover
• Keyed-Alike hitch locking pin, 5/8" diameter (fits 2", 2.5", and 3" receivers)

No additional hardware is required. The 1-7/8" ball is not included but is available separately from Weigh Safe if your trailer requires it.

Vehicle Compatibility: 2.5" Receiver Required

The CTB8-2.5-KA-CER-BLA requires a 2.5" (2-1/2") square receiver on the tow vehicle. This shank size is found on heavy-duty trucks rated for Class IV and Class V towing. Half-ton trucks and most SUVs use a 2" receiver and are not compatible with this hitch.

Typical vehicles with 2.5" receivers:

• Ford F-250 Super Duty and F-350 Super Duty
• Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD
• GMC Sierra 2500HD and 3500HD
• Ram 2500 and Ram 3500
• Ford F-450 and F-550

If your truck has a 2" receiver, the correct alternative is the CTB8-2-KA-CER-BLA (same Cerakote black finish, 8" drop, 2" shank, 12,500 lb GTW). Always verify your receiver size and your truck's actual tow rating before ordering. Weigh Safe recommends a minimum of 11" of ground clearance when using an 8" drop configuration.

Full Specifications

Compare: CTB8-2.5-KA-CER-BLA vs. Sibling Weigh Safe Part Numbers

Weigh Safe builds this same 8" drop / 2.5" shank platform in several configurations. Here is how the main variants compare:

The CTB8-2.5-KA-CER-BLA is the right choice if you want the Black Cerakote finish and are running the chrome-plated combo ball on a 2.5" receiver. If you prefer stainless steel balls with the same Cerakote black finish, the LTB8-2.5-KA-CER-BLA is the upgrade. If you want brushed aluminum with stainless balls at a lower price, the WS8-2.5-KA at $378.99 covers the same load rating with the same built-in gauge. All three are Made in USA and carry the same Limited Lifetime Warranty on structural components.

Warranty and California Residents

The CTB8-2.5-KA-CER-BLA carries a Limited Lifetime Warranty on defects in materials and workmanship for the original consumer owner. Warranty registration within 30 days of purchase, or a valid proof of purchase, is required to make a claim. Weigh Safe's resolution is limited to repair or replacement of the defective component; full product replacement and refunds are not included. Normal wear on the shank, ball, lock, and bolt threads is not covered.

The built-in tongue weight gauge carries its own separate Lifetime Gauge Warranty. If the gauge is defective within year one, Weigh Safe repairs it with shipping covered. After year one, the customer covers inbound shipping and Weigh Safe repairs at no charge. A free Gauge Repair Kit is available on request for self-repair.

Important: The Black Cerakote finish is explicitly excluded from warranty coverage. Finish wear, chips, and scratches are not warrantable. The same exclusion applies to all surface finishes across the Weigh Safe line.

This is a towing product. Under the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, an aftermarket part cannot void your vehicle's factory powertrain warranty unless the manufacturer or dealer can prove the aftermarket part directly caused the specific failure being claimed. Installing a drop hitch does not constitute grounds for voiding a powertrain warranty.

California residents: This product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm. See www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

Made in the USA, Lindon, Utah

Every CTB8-2.5-KA-CER-BLA is engineered, machined, and assembled at the Weigh Safe facility in Lindon, Utah. The 6061 T6 billet aluminum is precision-machined on-site. The Country of Origin is confirmed USA on both Weigh Safe's official SKU data sheet and NAFTA documentation (Preference Criterion B). Buying this hitch supports American manufacturing and ensures you are receiving a hitch built to Weigh Safe's own quality standards rather than a contract-manufactured assembly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the CTB8-2.5-KA-CER-BLA fit my truck?
This hitch fits any vehicle with a 2.5" square receiver and a Class V hitch rated for at least the load you plan to pull. Common compatible vehicles include the Ford F-250 and F-350 Super Duty, Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD, GMC Sierra 2500HD and 3500HD, and Ram 2500 and 3500. Half-ton trucks (F-150, Silverado 1500, Ram 1500, Tundra, Tacoma) use a 2" receiver and require the CTB8-2-KA-CER-BLA instead. Check your receiver opening with a tape measure if you are unsure.

How does the built-in tongue weight gauge on the CTB8-2.5-KA-CER-BLA work?
The gauge is a glycerin-filled hydraulic dial gauge integrated into the slider assembly. When the trailer is coupled and the hitch is on level ground, the tongue weight transfers through the ball mount and compresses the hydraulic sensor, moving the dial. You read the tongue weight directly from the gauge face without a separate scale or load cell. Weigh Safe recommends keeping tongue weight between 10 and 15 percent of gross trailer weight for safe towing.

What is the GTW rating on the CTB8-2.5-KA-CER-BLA?
With the included 2-5/16" chrome-plated steel ball, the GTW rating is 18,500 lbs. With the included 2" chrome-plated steel ball, the GTW rating is 8,000 lbs. Max tongue weight is 2,200 lbs. The hitch is rated Class V and SAE J684 certified. Your actual towing capacity is limited by whichever is lowest: the hitch rating, your vehicle's GVWR, or your truck's factory-rated tow capacity.

What is the difference between the CTB8-2.5-KA-CER-BLA and the WS8-2.5-KA?
Both are 8" drop / 2.5" shank Weigh Safe hitches with built-in tongue weight gauges and Keyed-Alike locks. The differences: the CTB8-2.5-KA-CER-BLA has a Black Cerakote finish and chrome-plated steel combo balls, priced at $398.99. The WS8-2.5-KA has a brushed aluminum finish with stainless steel balls. If you tow in a salt-belt state and want stainless steel balls with a blacked-out appearance, the LTB8-2.5-KA-CER-BLA is the best of both. If corrosion on the balls is not a concern, the CTB8-2.5-KA-CER-BLA gives you the Cerakote hardness at the lowest price in the Cerakote lineup.

Is the CTB8-2.5-KA-CER-BLA stowable?
Yes. The 2.5" shank version rotates 180 degrees and locks under the vehicle when not in use, protecting the gauge and the shank from road debris. The 3" shank version of this hitch (CTB8-3-KA-CER-BLA) is not stowable due to the larger shank geometry. If stowability matters to your setup, the 2.5" shank is the right choice.

Will the CTB8-2.5-KA-CER-BLA void my truck's factory warranty?
No. Under the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, an aftermarket accessory cannot void your factory powertrain warranty unless the OEM can prove the aftermarket part directly caused the failure being claimed. A drop hitch installs in the receiver tube and does not alter any powertrain component. Your dealer cannot blanket-void your warranty simply because you installed a drop hitch.

Is the Black Cerakote finish covered under warranty?
No. Weigh Safe explicitly excludes all surface finishes, including Cerakote, brushed aluminum, machined, painted, powder-coated, and chrome-plated finishes, from warranty coverage. The Limited Lifetime Warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship on structural components only. Finish wear and cosmetic damage are considered normal wear and are not warrantable.

What is the difference between the CTB8-2.5-KA-CER-BLA and the LTB8-2.5-KA-CER-BLA?
Both share the Black Cerakote finish, the 8" drop, the 2.5" shank, and the Keyed-Alike lock system. The difference is in the balls: the CTB line uses chrome-plated steel combo balls, while the LTB line uses stainless steel balls. For towing in coastal or salt-belt regions where the chrome plating can pit over time, the LTB is the more durable long-term option. For most inland towing, the CTB8-2.5-KA-CER-BLA performs identically.

Does the CTB8-2.5-KA-CER-BLA work with a 2" receiver?
No. The 2.5" shank will not fit a 2" receiver. If your truck has a 2" receiver, order the CTB8-2-KA-CER-BLA (Cerakote black, 8" drop, 2" shank, 12,500 lb GTW) or the WS8-2-KA (brushed aluminum, 8" drop, 2" shank. Trying to force a 2.5" shank into a 2" receiver will damage the receiver and is unsafe.

What hardware is included with the CTB8-2.5-KA-CER-BLA?
The kit includes the 8" drop drawbar (2.5" shank, Black Cerakote), the 180-degree slider with built-in tongue weight gauge, a 2" chrome-plated steel ball, a 2-5/16" chrome-plated steel ball, a ball retaining pin, the Keyed-Alike dual-pin key lock assembly, a dust lock cover, and the Keyed-Alike 5/8" hitch locking pin. No additional purchases are required to begin using the hitch. A 1-7/8" ball is available separately if your trailer requires it.