Info needed on towed weight

[CKarnes]

Recently bought a new Trailer Receiver Hitch Ball Mount, 8" drop 12K tow, 1200# tounge. What is the highest weight ( real world ) you can tow w/ the factory receiver assembly?

I know the Owners Manual has a legally defined limit, but was interested in what others have actually pulled. I don't expect to exceed 8 to 10K but one never knows. And where do you find a ball, 2", that will match 12K or better limit? The ball mount hole is 1 1/4" dia.

Pulling w/ 2004 3500 DRW 48RE Smarty Jr, 4" MBRP

 

[DGamelin]

Putnam makes a hitch that is rated for 14 or 15k. I sell their ball mounts because of the 15k rating. I tow 12. 5k on the stock hitch on my 04. 5 more often then I should, stacks of trailers. The thing you have to worry about, is if you lost a trailer and someone got killed. A dot officer would have to check out your truck and trailer and see you weren't rigged up properly. That makes you criminally negligent. A lawery would have a field day with you. We sell trailers here and I hear all kinds of horror stories. In our state if you are towing a 20ft deck over with two 7k axles that makes it a 14k trailer and even empty your hitch has to be rated for 14k. All trailers I order 8k and up have 25/16 balls. It is getting hard to find a good ball or ball mount because of mfg insurances. Sorry I am not were I can look it up.



04. 5 3500 4wd cc dully 373 6speed sjr 50k

93 2500 2wd xc 354 auto 250k

 

[steved]

You can get that ball from Tractor Supply I believe...



There has been some debate over the rating of the factory hitch... it is deemed a class 4, which should be a 12000 pull/1200 tongue.

 

[betterthanstock]

jc whitney has up to 14k balls.



Hidden Hitch 2-5/16" Chrome-plated Steel Trailer Hitch Ball Assembly; 1-1/4" Shank Diameter; 2-3/4" Shank Length; 14,000-lb. Capacity : JC Whitney: Auto Parts & Accessories