Factory Receiver Hitch

[rjrkihap]

I know the factory hitch that comes on our Rams is rated at 5000 with out weight dist. and 10,000 with weight dist. What is the weight dist. kit doing to allow for the increase in the weight we can carry? I know the weight dist. kit helps equalize the tunge load which makes for a smoother ride by keeping the trailer from bouncing up and down on the ball mount, but how are the torsion bars making the factory hitch "stronger" so that it can handle the additional 5,000 lbs?



Thanks



Ron

 

[BV]

What the w/d bars do is take the weight sitting out on the ball and transfer it forward onto the frame so you end up with same amount of torque on the hitch with 5000# without the w/d kit compared to 10000# with the kit. When a w/d kit is set up correctly you will actually transfer some of that tongue weight from the rear tires to the front tires. So the kit doesn't make the hitch stronger, it just allows you to distribute the weight differently.



Hope that helps,

Marty

 

[rjrkihap]

Thanks Marty, that's what I thought. The next question would be what would / could happen if you do not use a w/d kit and you hall say 10,000 lbs. I have several stingers/ball mounts rated at 10,000 lbs (ie roto eze).



Thanks



Ron

 

[Archive]

I was towing my 6200lb boat with the factory receiver. It always made me a bit nervous, though. I don't think I would try 10000.



I've since replaced the factory setup with a Class V from Hidden Hitch. It's rated for 10000lbs load-bearing and 14000lbs weight-distributing.

 

[BV]

Factory Hitch

Ron - Mine ended up bent (or maybe started that way) after a panic stop with a 6,500# dump trailer full of wet firewood and no weight distribution. Anyway... it was replaced with a Draw-Tite Ultra that is rated at 10,000 weight carring and 12,000 weight distribution.



You have to do what your confortable with. I would suggest looking at the factory hitch that look at a real hitch.



I knew the hitch was going to be weak and only got the trailer/tow package for the wiring and relays. It ended up the hardware was weaker than expected.





If you would like to see mine? I'm right down the street and home most evenings.

 

[Archive]

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