3rd Gen class V Putnam hitch pictures

[TPappas]

I installed my class V hitch today. I put the Putnam XDR on the truck because I did not like how low the Titan hangs under the truck. I cut off the stock receiver tube but left the rear crossmember in place. The Putnam bolted on and looks very good, and a lot more tough than the stock hitch which only connects to the rear of the frame. Stock hitch 1200/12000 WD and the Putnam is 1700/16000 WD. More pics in my gallery.



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=20524&width=0

 

[Red360]

Cost and location

Where did you get it from and what was the approx cost?

 

[TPappas]

It was $400 from hitch-web.com. I saw them cheaper elsewhere, do an internet search for them. These guys had it in stock so I did not have to wait for weeks to get it.

 

[CGA97]

looks real nice. How much clearance is there around the spare?

 

[LightmanE300]

Just curious - why would one do this? I've seen people putting in big goosenecks and 5th wheel hitches, but why replace the bumper pull hitch? Is the factory a class IV?

 

[brods]

Just curious - why would one do this? I've seen people putting in big goosenecks and 5th wheel hitches, but why replace the bumper pull hitch? Is the factory a class IV?

Don't get me started, lol. The stock hitch is only rated for 350 lbs tongue weight without a WD setup. There is another thread about Uhaul rating the stock hitch as a class III. Chrysler does not respond to inquiries as to why the hitch is rated so low for weight carrying.



So the choice is spend $400 bucks on a WD setup that may or may not work with all trailers or spend $400 on a heavier class V hitch so you can tow everything.







Nice hitch, got any pictures of how it bolts to the frame? Did you have to drill any holes?

 

[LightmanE300]

Wow - I had no idea that DC would equip our trucks with a hitch that wouldn't support the full towing capacity - what a rip off! I guess I just expected the hitch would 'work with' the truck. What is the realistic limit of the stock hitch, not to hijack this thread too much, since it's related... ?

 

[RAMINSPEED]

I am real interested on seeing how it bolts up and will it clear my 315 spare tire? My trailer Tongue weight is WAY over the stock hitches capacity. I'm waiting for it to just break off one day.

 

[thomase]

I pulled a roughly 10000lb trailer yesterday with the stock hitch. No problems at all... didn't even realize I should be concerned. The tongue weight was around 1500 - 2000lbs. I know because I bent the trailer jack trying to disconnect the truck / trailer...

 

[TPappas]

Ok here it goes.



The hitch does not leave a whole lot of room for the spare. I am not sure about a 315 tire. My stock tire is not against it, but it is close. Now you can push the tire forward a bit before you crank it all the way up so it may work, but not sure.



The stock hitch is a class IV hitch, but it is a weak one at that. I had two problems with it. The fact that it is only connected to the ends of the frame, with the downward force I did not see that being very strong. The second is the round tubing the stock frame uses. I was in construction for years and never saw a building built with any type of round tubing for structure support.



I do not have pictures of how it bolts up, but can tell you. It bolts to the ends of the frame like the stock one. It bolts to the middle of the rear crossmember underneath the stock bumper. It also bolts to the frame farther forward towards the front of the truck. This farther forward mount gives it more support from the twisting tension of the weighted hitch. Just a stronger setup all around.



For all those who are towing overweighted in any perameter, including hitch weight. If you have any type of serious accident, even if it does not involve having too much tongue weight, the police will check everything. When they see any portion of the weight capacities being violated it will become an "other associated factor" in the cause of an accident. Not a good thing. I know this because I am an accident investigator and was trained to do all the above.



I don't want to have any part of fault when an "accident" happens.

 

[jsimpson]

Does the Putnam have a 2" receiver or a 2. 5" receiver?

 

[evldsl]

The hitch has a 2" receiver that excepts a 5/8" pin. I just received mine and will install it this next week or just as soon as I can find the instruction's. There is a hardware kit included with the hitch and to mention the hitch is beef no perhaps prime rib this sucker is heavy.

 

[Kirwin]

Can you post pictures?

Let us see how it mounts to the frame. Any drilling or do you some how use existing fasteners/holes? Ken Irwin

 

[ASpathias]

Check out attachments.

 

[LightmanE300]

Ok maybe I'm a retard, but why are there two square receivers?

 

[Red360]

tubing

For what it is worth, round stock is stronger than square stock of the same thickness... .

 

[XJSuperman]

Ok maybe I'm a retard, but why are there two square receivers?

I believe the top receiver is the stock hitch. YOu don;t have to remove it to install the class-V.

 

[TPappas]

Some of the aftermarket hitches you bolt on underneath the stock hitch. This leaves yoiu with 2 receivers which some need for truck campers. I don't like the look and did not want that.



My Putnam goes on it place of the stock receiver. I cut off the square receiver portion, leaving the stock round crossmember in place. Then the Putnam bolts on to existing holes in the frame. It is definitely more stout as well as having the mounting positions spread out vs the stock ones only at the end of the frame.

 

[JOblenes]

Don't get me started, lol. The stock hitch is only rated for 350 lbs tongue weight without a WD setup. There is another thread about Uhaul rating the stock hitch as a class III. Chrysler does not respond to inquiries as to why the hitch is rated so low for weight carrying.

I am curious, does anyone know where this 350 lbs tongue rating information comes from? It seems to me I have read it in a few threads in the past. My truck has the "tow prep package" and comes with a class IV hitch according to the window sticker. When I read in the Owner's Manual in the Trailer Towing section, the information available for the Class IV is somewhat vague, however, in the Class III section thay clearly state that a max GTW of 5000 lb is allowed and that tongue weight must be at least 10% (500 lb for 5000 lb gtw). All information I have found in general towing manuals list Class IV as 6000 lb non-WD/12,000 lb WD with 600 lb and 1200lb max tongue weights respectively (i. e. max tongue weight is always 10% of max GTW). I have not seen any documentation on the contrary, what gives?

 

[RaymondSmith]

Jonathan,



I believe the weights you quote are with a weight distributing hitch. The 350 pound limit is for a dead pull. I have an 05 and on page 290 of the owner's manual it says “Equalizing hitch are required for Class III or Class IV trailer hitches and tongue weight over 350 pounds". Hope this helps.