Factory Trailer Hitch Defect???

[Nickaru]

I have a 2001. 5 2500 RAM with the camper and tow packages. I tow an 8500 lb Wanderer RV trailer. The truck has only towed this trailer about 5 times to date. When I unhooked last weekend , I noticed the hole for the hitch pin on the trucks left side looked oval. Upon closer examination, It was! The pin wobbles around and the passenger side looks OK. I thought these hitches had to be tough. I know your not suppose to weld or drill into them because of their hardness. Has anyone heard of this before. I use a Draw-Tite weight distributing hitch. Thanks on any feed back.

 

[MoparDave]

I had this happen to my 98 ram when I loaned it to a friend, he needed to tow his boat. He used a ½” hitch pin rather than a 5/8” that the hitch called for. Maybe the same thing happen in your case?

 

[Koa Man]

The factory hitch isn't very good IMO. Mine had cracks along both sides and I mostly towed only around 3K lbs. with it. I have a XDR class V hitch now so I can tow my 8K lbs. chipper with it safely.

 

[TowPro]

I have never seen a hitch that did not say this! But its OK for Dodge to recall our hitches to drill a hole and add a bracket to the sides?

Originally posted by Nickaru

I know your not suppose to weld or drill into them because of their hardness. Has anyone heard of this before. I use a Draw-Tite weight distributing hitch. Thanks on any feed back.