Class V hitch

[pullya]

Has anyone installed a class V hitch on their truck. I have heard that the Putnam is the best but I don't have any personal information. Reese, Draw tite and Hidden Hitch are all suppose to be manufactured by the same company and they are installed leaving your stock hitch in place . Any information or your experiences would be helpful. See sig for des. of my truck.

Thanks,

Jay

 

[y-knot]

I installed a class V hitch on my truck, but there is no way you could have left the stock class III hitch in place. The class V hitch is very much larger and more robust then any thing less. The pieces that attach to the frame are longer and heavier built, this allows the stress to be transmitted over a larger section of the trucks frame. While most popular brands do not require any additional new holes in the trucks frame, you will have to enlarge some of the existing holes for the larger bolts used my the new and heavier hitch. My hitch which I do not recall the name of, came with a bracket that not only attach to the hitch, but also bolted in several places to the trucks frame and then to the bumper support to strengthen that area of the frame, and tie all three together, making a very strong point on the frame. Then there are two more attachment points per side, more if you want to drill some additional holes.

 

[CumminsPower98]

I installed a Putnam class V after my stock hitch cracked on both sides. I am currently transporting RVs so it gets a lot of use, although lately it's been mostly 5th wheels. I like how the cross bar is up high so it hides behind the bumper and makes for a much cleaner look back there.

 

[DJAustin]

I also installe the Putnam Class V on my 95. Straight forward installation and very happy with the quality.

 

[MChessick]

I had a Reese Class V hitched installed on my 03 dually. The stock hitch remains in place and the class V goes underneath it. Works and looks great. It is also nice to have the choice of receivers height wise. The Reese is highly reccomended.



Mark

 

[Pavemen]

I had a Reese Class V hitched installed on my 03 dually. The stock hitch remains in place and the class V goes underneath it. Works and looks great. It is also nice to have the choice of receivers height wise. The Reese is highly reccomended.

Mark

what is the point of that, other than lowering the boat anchor even farther? i'd much prefer the Putnam style that replaces the stock and rides much higher up. I do not see the point in having two 2" receivers on the same end of a truck.

 

[seemore]

Has anyone installed a class V hitch on their truck. I have heard that the Putnam is the best but I don't have any personal information. Reese, Draw tite and Hidden Hitch are all suppose to be manufactured by the same company and they are installed leaving your stock hitch in place . Any information or your experiences would be helpful. See sig for des. of my truck.

Thanks,

Jay

Check out this thread over at the DTR



3rd Gen upgrade receiver... ... PICTURES!! - Dodge Diesel - Diesel Truck Resource Forums



Looks about as heavy duty as it gets!!:-laf

 

[Thomas]

. . . i'd much prefer the Putnam style that replaces the stock and rides much higher up. . .

Me too! What's the point in adding weight & decreasing clearance, all so I could keep the weaker receiver.

The Reese Titan & the Putnam XDR (my choice) receivers both require the removal of the OEM receiver on second-generation Rams.

The original poster is asking about a third-generation Ram. Perhaps the Putnam XDR can also be used in a "dual receiver" setup like MChessick has with the Reese class V. Again, what's the point?

 

[MChessick]

The point of the 2 receivers is that this is the way they are made to fit the 3rd gens. The factory unit is welded to the frame and is not easily removed. I can also carry fewer draw bars depending on what I am towing. There are no clearance issues and you don't have a choice anyway. They are made to be installed this way. Sounds like most of you don't tow any more than one type of trailer.



Mark

 

[rwitt]

Here's what I installed on mine: Tork Lift Super Hitch 17,000 Weight Distributing 1700 tongue weight; 15,000 Weight Carrying 1500 tongue weight

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Rich

 

[MChildress]

I have the Reese Titan its a 2 1/2" receiver like mentioned above it sits under the cheesy factory hitch. I have a 4x4 so the clearance is no problem and actually a plus. It places the receiver at almost the same height as my 2wd F350,just a tad higher so you dont need those extra long drop hitches. I'm sure the others are good,I'v just been happy with mine and have had no problems.