Brian, you have other choices besides the plastic barbed connectors. Greenie has aluminum connectors with small barbs on the ends that aren't a smaller diameter than the hose you are using.
There are ones that are 2.5 inch on both ends, 2.0 inch on both ends, 1.5 inch on both ends. Also 2.5 to 2.0 and 2.0 to 1.5.
The best thing is cuffs are also available for each size. Bare hose without cuffs will also work. Use cuffs for on/off or bare hose for permanent on. You can also use a combo of the two.
The connectors are very well made. Look on you tube for the Pro Cleaners interview with Jeff at Connections 2007 in Vegas.