Hitches...Putnam?

[Eric_77]

I would question the dealer that told you that. I thought all class V were 2 1/2 did the Putnam dealer show you literature that showed a 2" class V? #ad

 

['956Wheel]

It shows this info on the Hitchmasters site:
www.hitch-web.com

Mike

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9535hundred

 

['956Wheel]

Bros, Are the Putnam receiver hitches good? I'm looking at class 5's and the Reese and Putnam seem to be on top. The Reese is 2 1/2" while the Putnam is 2". I plan on pulling a 26' TT. The Reese is about 40% more. Input greatly appreciated.

Mike

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9535hundred

 

[mopars1]

I have the class 5 Putnam and I have no problems with it. I have never had the Reese setup so I can't compare. I bought the Putnam because I already had the setup I needed that was all 2" and did not want to spend the extra money on the 2-1/2" ball mounts or equalizer setup.

 

[zman]

Statland - I installed the Reese Titan V about a month ago and love it. I bought the 2. 5" 12k drawbar AND the adapter sleeve that lets me use all my 2" stuff. Install took less than an hour, and that includes removing the original hitch. I didn't have to do any drilling on my 2001 QC LB for the install, but I think some drilling will be required for your '95.

The hitch is rated for a 12k trailer and 1. 2k tongue weight w/o the weight distribution setup (14k and 1. 7k with).

Steve

 

['956Wheel]

Zman, My '95 is on a '01 frame thanks to cracking spring towers, DC ate all the cost!

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9535hundred

 

[Cooker]

I in the process right now of replacing the factory hitch. I'm leaning toward the Putnam becasue the price is about $80 less than the Reese Titan (I found a great deal on the Reese Titan at a shop here in town, $235).

I think Putnam is a quality company when it comes to hitches so I don't see any reason than it is better than the Reese other than without weight distribution bars the Reese is 12,000 and the Putnam is 10,000. A 2 5/16 ball (which my trailer is) is only 10,000 lbs and in order to offically be in the "safe zone" that's all I could tow anyway.

The shops around here have really tried to steer me toward the Putnam over any of the others. How do you feel the Putnam stacks up against the others (Draw-Tite and Reese)?

Your comments and suggestions are much appreciated,
-Ryan

 

[vc]

I'll try this again since first post got lost.

I've got the HiddenHitch V Magnum, a class V that takes a 2" ball mount. Tucks up behind bumper so all you see is the receiver tube. I paid about 180 bucks for it locally. So far no complaints. No drilling required for the long beds.

vc

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'97 Ram,auto,3. 54 lim-slip,4x4,smoothie,BD(TST)#8 fuel plate-slid forward,Prime-Loc,VDO Vision pyro/boost,HiddenHitch class V Magnum.

 

[Cooker]

FWIW I order the Putnam and received it yesterday. Upon inspection it doesn't appear to be too much different than the stock hitch except for the extra hitch mount to the frame. It is rather heavy, but I won't be able to compare that with the factory until it's removed.

I thought it would be a little beefier? Oh, well, like I said maybe after I remove the factory one the advantages will be easier to see. If nothing else at least I KNOW I have a hitch that will withstand 8000-9000 loads instead of HOPE.

Thanks,
-Ryan

 

['956Wheel]

Cooker, where did ya get it? How much did it hurt? Please keep me posted on how the install goes.
Thanks

Mike

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9535hundred

 

[Tilesetter Too]

I'm using Surepull. Its rated 12,000 weight carry and 14,000 weight distributing. It has the 2" receiver. I got a 2 5/16" ball(30,000lb rated) and the hitch shipped to my door for $150 from Arkansas Mobile good hitch/fantastic price. It seems to be the equal of the Putnam and installation was a breeze. I had to enlarge the frame holes to 9/16" for the new heavier bolts but didn't drill any new holes. Had the hitch off and on in an hour after I got the bigger bit to ream the holes.
Shawn

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1998. 5 2500 4x4 quad LB, Rollnlock, 5spd.

 

[Cooker]

Statland,
I will hopefully get it on today. It was $166 out the door from a shop here in town. www.awdirect.com has the same hitch for $141. 95 + shipping (I couldn't find it on their website, but it is in their catalog). The reason I went with the Putnam is the price and recommendations from about every shop I called here in my town, and the TDR. Only one shop out of five tried to sell me something different. They wanted to sell me a Reese Titan. The Putnam is rated 10,000WC and 14,000WD. The reason the Reese is rated at 12,000WC is becasue it has a 2. 5" receiver.

FWIW my '96 2500 4x4 w/ 3. 55's is only legally rated to tow 10,000 lbs anyway (I know thats BS, but sometimes the cops/DOT get funny in our area) w/ 10,000lbs in tow I'll still be over the 16,000 gross. I don't care that much, but I don't want to give them any other reason to give me another ticket if I get pulled over.


Tilesetter,

Where did you find a 2 5/16 ball rated to 30,000 lbs??? Keep in mind a solid 2" drawbar is only rated to 10,000lbs anyway (at least all the ones I looked at were, and eventaully the one I bought is too).

-Ryan

 

[Bob Beauchaine]

I've had a Putnam Class 4 rated at 12,000/1,200 since 1993. I've towed about 35,000 miles with it and have had no problems of any kind with it. It has a 2 inch receiver. I am currently towing an 8000 lb trailer with 750lb spring bars and a friction sway control. It has handled 40mph headwinds and some healthy cross winds and tracks true.
Happy Trails.

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1993 250 4X2 - Banks Power Pack, BD Power Injectors, K&N Air Filter, 6 gauges and new 15% + pump. 27lbs boost unloaded. Horton fan, NV4500 5 speed and BD Exhaust Brake.

 

[Tilesetter Too]

Ryan,
The ball was also from Surepull. it was a 2 5/16 ball with 1 1/4" shaft for a gooseneck setup. I had my stock 1" hole drilled out to the 1 1/4" by a welding shop.
Shawn

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1998. 5 2500 4x4 quad LB, Rollnlock, 5spd.

 

[mopars1]

Cooker, you will see the Putnam is quite a bit beefier than the stock hitch. The metal is thicker and the whole unit is longer. If you don't need the extra 2,000 pounds the Reese offers there is no reason to pay the extra money for it.

 

[Thomas]

Mopars1,

Does the Putnam XDR put the drawbar in the same relative position as the factory hitch?


Thomas

 

[Cooker]

Finally got the hitch on today. The unit is larger than the stock one. It also appreas to be heavier gauge steel. I did take a few pictures comparing the two, and will upload them to my site hopefully sometime tomorrow. Or you can email me for the pics.

The install was straight-forward and very easy. Removing the old unit took some finess. If you know anything about what road salt does to a vehicle, you'll know I had to take the fire axe to a couple of the rusty bolts.

The drawbar is in the same relative position, but the hitch itself is tucked up behind the bumper. It is a lot cleaner look from the rear IMO. The only problem I see here is that it may make some of the backup lights installed look a little out of place without having the hitch hanging down.

All in all I think it is a good product and would recommend the Putnam to anyone looking for Class V hitch to replace the tiny factory Class III.