Weigh Safe WS8-2-KA 8" Drop Hitch

The Weigh Safe WS8-2-KA (MPN: WS8-2-KA) is an 8-inch drop adjustable ball mount built for 2-inch receiver hitches, engineered and assembled in Lindon, Utah. Machined from 6061 T6 billet aluminum with a brushed finish, this hitch handles up to 12,500 lbs gross trailer weight and 1,500 lbs tongue weight while telling you something no standard drop hitch can: a built-in glycerin-filled hydraulic tongue weight gauge reads live tongue load as you hitch up, so you are never guessing whether your trailer is balanced for the road. Two stainless steel tow balls (2-inch and 2-5/16-inch) ship in the box. The keyed-alike design means the ball mount lock and the WS05 hitch locking pin both operate off the same key. Made in the USA and backed by a Limited Lifetime Warranty plus a separate Lifetime Gauge Warranty, the WS8-2-KA is the choice for half-ton and mid-size truck owners who demand tow confidence, not just tow capacity.

What Sets the WS8-2-KA Apart

Most drop hitches are passive steel hardware: they connect your truck to a trailer and tell you nothing. The Weigh Safe WS8-2-KA adds one capability no standard hitch has: a permanently integrated tongue weight scale. The glycerin-filled hydraulic gauge is embedded in the slider platform and reads 0 to 1,500 lbs with plus-or-minus 50-lb accuracy. When tongue weight is too light, trailer sway becomes dangerous. When it is too heavy, front-axle lift degrades steering and braking. The WS8-2-KA lets you dial the load in before you leave the driveway, every single time.

The 6061 T6 billet aluminum construction saves significant weight compared to steel ball mounts without sacrificing rated capacity. At 20 lbs total, this hitch delivers a 12,500-lb GTW rating in a package your truck's payload budget barely notices. The brushed aluminum finish is corrosion-resistant by nature, not by coating, which means no flaking, chipping, or re-finishing over the life of the hitch. The 2-inch shank version is also stowable: rotate the slider 180 degrees and tuck the whole assembly under your truck when not towing.

Built-In Tongue Weight Gauge: How It Works

The gauge in the WS8-2-KA is not an add-on accessory. It is machined into the slider body as a single integrated unit. When a loaded trailer is hitched, the ball transfers trailer tongue weight downward onto a hydraulic piston that sits on a sealed bed of glycerin. The pressure reading is transmitted to the dial face, displaying live tongue weight in pounds. Glycerin fill (versus air or dry-mechanism designs) makes the gauge durable across temperature swings, vibration, and years of field use. The scale reads from 0 to 1,500 lbs, matching the 2-inch shank's tongue weight rating exactly. Note that readings from 0 to 100 lbs are treated as zero: the gauge begins registering load above that threshold. Weigh Safe backs this gauge with a separate Lifetime Gauge Warranty, independent of the product's Limited Lifetime Warranty on materials and workmanship.

Keyed-Alike Security: One Key, Two Locks

The -KA designation refers to the keyed-alike lock configuration. The base WS8-2 model includes the dual-pin ball mount lock but ships without a hitch pin lock. This keyed-alike version adds the WS05 5/8-inch keyed locking hitch pin, and both the ball mount lock and the hitch pin are manufactured to the same key code. One key secures the ball mount to the drawbar and secures the drawbar in your receiver. The dust cover protects the lock cylinder from debris and moisture when the hitch is in use or in storage. This system prevents both opportunistic theft of the ball mount assembly and accidental separation of the hitch from the receiver while towing.

6061 T6 Billet Aluminum Construction

Weigh Safe specifies 6061 T6 aluminum, the same alloy used in aircraft structural components, for the drawbar and slider of the WS8-2-KA. T6 temper means the aluminum has been solution heat-treated and artificially aged to achieve maximum strength for the alloy: a tensile strength of approximately 45,000 psi with a hardness that resists the compressive loads applied during towing. The block is machined from solid billet, not cast or forged from a mold, which eliminates the internal porosity and inconsistencies that can occur in cast parts. The brushed finish is the natural result of the machining process and does not rely on a separate surface coating. For buyers who prefer a blacked-out appearance, the WS8-2-KA-CER-BLA sibling applies a Black Cerakote finish over the same aluminum body.

The two tow balls are stainless steel, not chrome-plated. Chrome plating on tow balls can wear and pit over time, particularly when the ball is frequently loaded and rotated under trailer coupler movement. Stainless steel maintains surface integrity under repeated use and resists the rust that chrome-plated balls develop once the plating is compromised. Both the 2-inch and the 2-5/16-inch stainless balls ship in the box with every order.

What's Included with the WS8-2-KA

• 8-inch drop drawbar, 2-inch shank, brushed 6061 T6 billet aluminum
• Slider with built-in glycerin-filled hydraulic tongue weight gauge (0-1,500 lbs)
• 2-inch stainless steel tow ball
• 2-5/16-inch stainless steel tow ball (WS05 combo ball)
• Ball retaining pin
• Keyed-alike dual-pin lock plate key assembly with dust cover
• Keyed-alike WS05 5/8-inch locking hitch pin (matches ball mount lock key)

Vehicle Compatibility: 2-Inch Receiver Required

This hitch requires a 2-inch x 2-inch square receiver on the tow vehicle. The 2-inch receiver is the most common hitch size in the half-ton and mid-size truck segment. If your truck is a 3/4-ton or 1-ton built after 2008, it likely has a 2.5-inch receiver: the WS8-2.5-KA is the correct fitment for those applications. Confirm your receiver opening before ordering.

Full Specifications

Compare: WS8-2-KA vs. WS8-2.5-KA vs. WS8-3-KA vs. WS8-2-KA-CER-BLA

The WS8 family shares the same 8-inch drop, built-in tongue weight gauge, brushed aluminum construction, stainless steel balls, and keyed-alike security system. The differences are shank size (which determines the receiver size your vehicle needs and the maximum GTW rating), finish, and stowability. The 3-inch shank version is not stowable. If your truck has a 2-inch receiver, the WS8-2-KA is the correct model. Buyers who want a blacked-out finish can choose the WS8-2-KA-CER-BLA for the same 2-inch shank in Black Cerakote.

Made in the USA, Lindon, Utah

Weigh Safe designs, engineers, and manufactures the WS8-2-KA at its facility at 420 N. Geneva Road, Lindon, Utah 84042. The company describes itself as the only trailer hitch manufacturer in the United States with patented tongue weight measurement technology. Country of Origin is listed as USA on the official Weigh Safe SKU data sheet. If domestic manufacturing matters to your purchase decision, this is the confirmation.

Warranty Coverage

The WS8-2-KA carries two warranty coverages:

• Limited Lifetime Warranty: covers defects in materials and workmanship for the original owner. The product must be purchased from Weigh Safe or an authorized dealer and registered at weigh-safe.com within 30 days of purchase, or proof of purchase must be retained. The warranty does not cover normal wear and tear, products modified or altered after purchase, damage from overloading beyond factory-rated capacity, collision damage, improper installation, or the brushed aluminum finish.
• Lifetime Gauge Warranty: the built-in tongue weight scale carries its own separate lifetime warranty, independent of the product warranty terms above.

Under the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, installing an aftermarket accessory such as this drop hitch cannot void your vehicle's factory warranty unless the vehicle manufacturer or dealer can demonstrate that the aftermarket part directly caused the specific failure being claimed. Consult your vehicle warranty documentation and a qualified dealer if you have questions specific to your situation.

California Proposition 65 Warning: This product can expose you to chemicals including aluminum and metal compounds known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm. For more information, visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

Installation Overview

This ball mount installs into any 2-inch x 2-inch receiver with the included WS05 keyed locking hitch pin. No welding, cutting, or drilling is required.

• Insert the 2-inch drawbar into the vehicle receiver
• Secure with the included keyed-alike 5/8-inch WS05 hitch locking pin
• Select the appropriate stainless steel ball (2-inch or 2-5/16-inch) and insert into the slider
• Secure the ball with the dual-pin lock plate key assembly using the included key
• Attach trailer coupler, read tongue weight on the gauge, and adjust trailer load distribution as needed before departure
• To stow: remove the slider, rotate 180 degrees, and reinsert into the drawbar to tuck the assembly under the vehicle

About Weigh Safe

Weigh Safe is a Utah-based towing accessory manufacturer focused on a single product category: adjustable ball mounts with integrated tongue weight measurement. The company holds patents on its hydraulic gauge mechanism and is the only U.S. manufacturer to build this technology into a production tow hitch. All Weigh Safe products are engineered and assembled in Lindon, Utah, and are V5 and SAE J684 certified for compliance with federal and industry towing standards. The WS8-2-KA has been the company's core 8-inch drop 2-inch shank offering across multiple product catalog years.

Frequently Asked Questions

What receiver size does the WS8-2-KA fit?
This hitch requires a 2-inch x 2-inch square receiver hitch on the tow vehicle. It will not fit 1.25-inch, 2.5-inch, or 3-inch receivers. The 2-inch receiver is standard on most half-ton pickups and SUVs, including the Ford F-150, Ram 1500, Chevy Silverado 1500, Toyota Tundra, and Nissan Titan. If your vehicle is a 3/4-ton or 1-ton truck built after 2008, verify the receiver size before ordering, as those vehicles typically take 2.5-inch shanks.

How accurate is the built-in tongue weight gauge?
The glycerin-filled hydraulic gauge in the WS8-2-KA reads with an accuracy of plus or minus 50 lbs across its 0 to 1,500 lb range. Readings between 0 and 100 lbs are treated as zero by design. The gauge is backed by a separate Lifetime Gauge Warranty from Weigh Safe, independent of the product's Limited Lifetime Warranty on materials and workmanship.

What is the difference between the WS8-2-KA and the WS8-2 (base model)?
The WS8-2 is the base model and includes the ball mount, slider with tongue weight gauge, and two stainless steel balls, but it does not include a locking hitch pin. The WS8-2-KA adds the WS05 5/8-inch keyed locking hitch pin, and both the hitch pin and the ball mount lock are keyed alike so they operate off one shared key. The keyed-alike configuration (WEIWS8-2-KA) is the recommended choice for buyers who want integrated theft prevention.

What is the maximum towing capacity of the WS8-2-KA?
This hitch is rated for 12,500 lbs gross trailer weight (GTW) when used with the included 2-5/16-inch stainless steel ball, and 10,000 lbs GTW with the included 2-inch stainless steel ball. A 1-7/8-inch ball (sold separately) yields a 7,500-lb GTW rating. Maximum tongue weight is 1,500 lbs. Always confirm your vehicle's tow rating and your trailer's tongue weight are within your truck's published limits before towing at or near these capacities.

Is the 2-inch shank version stowable?
Yes. The WS8-2-KA (2-inch shank) can be stowed by removing the slider from the drawbar, rotating it 180 degrees, and reinserting it so the assembly tucks under the vehicle. This prevents the hitch from hanging below the bumper when not towing. Note that the WS8-3-KA (3-inch shank version) is not stowable due to the larger shank geometry.

What balls are included, and are they stainless or chrome?
The WS8-2-KA ships with two stainless steel tow balls: a 2-inch ball and a 2-5/16-inch ball. These are stainless steel, not chrome-plated. Weigh Safe's WS aluminum product line uses stainless steel balls throughout. The CTB (Chrome Turnover Ball) line is a separate product family that uses chrome-plated steel balls.

Will this drop hitch void my truck's factory warranty?
No. Under the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a vehicle manufacturer cannot void your factory powertrain or bumper-to-bumper warranty simply because you installed an aftermarket towing accessory. They would need to demonstrate that the specific aftermarket part directly caused the failure being claimed. Installing the WS8-2-KA in a properly rated receiver hitch is consistent with normal towing use.

Does the WS8-2-KA fit a 2.5-inch or 3-inch receiver?
No. The WS8-2-KA has a 2-inch shank and only fits 2-inch receivers. For 2.5-inch receivers, the correct model is the WS8-2.5-KA. For 3-inch receivers, use the WS8-3-KA. Using a reducer sleeve to fit a smaller shank into a larger receiver is generally not rated for maximum towing loads and is not recommended for heavy towing applications.

What is the difference between WS8-2-KA and WS8-2-KA-CER-BLA?
Both are 2-inch shank, 8-inch drop ball mounts with the same GTW rating (12,500 lbs), tongue weight gauge, stainless steel balls, and keyed-alike security. The WS8-2-KA has a brushed natural aluminum finish. The WS8-2-KA-CER-BLA has a Black Cerakote coating applied over the same 6061 T6 billet aluminum body, at a higher price point. Both versions are stowable. The Cerakote finish provides additional corrosion and abrasion resistance and a blacked-out appearance.

Is the WS8-2-KA SAE certified?
Yes. The WS8-2-KA is Class V (V5) and SAE J684 certified, confirming it meets VESC (Vehicle Equipment Safety Commission) and Society of Automotive Engineers standards for tow hitches at its rated capacity. These certifications are confirmed through Weigh Safe's official product documentation and SKU data sheet.

Where is the Weigh Safe WS8-2-KA made?
The WS8-2-KA is designed, engineered, and assembled in Lindon, Utah, USA. Country of Origin is listed as USA on the official Weigh Safe SKU Info Sheet. Weigh Safe describes itself as the only U.S. trailer hitch manufacturer with patented tongue weight measurement technology.