OEM Class 5 hitch

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All this stuff about hitch recalls... is that only for the Class 3's on the 2500 trucks, or does it include the ones on the 3500 trucks? Mine appears to be a Class 5, it says 10,000 on there... I haven't checked it out yet, or checked the bolts for tightness, I need to do so soon... With all the other BOMBing parts I want to get, it sure would be nice not to be "out" an additional $200-250 for a Titan Class 5, at least not right away...

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The "Fuzzy Mule" is: 2001 Ram 3500 4x4 Quad Cab,all black(Sport pkg. ) Cummins24v, 5speed, 3. 54,all options including leather , AMSOIL Dual Remote bypass oil filter,AMSOIL air filter,Westin black nerf bars, limo tint,DeeZee Platinum toolbox painted black to match, Line-X bedliner
NRA Life/Endowment member(it's about freedom, not guns!)

 

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You only have a class 4

class 5 will take over 16000lbs wieght distrubuted

there is no comparison with that stock hitch to a class 5, The first thing I did was change the hitch to a class 5 and use grade 8 bolts. The main reason is for peace of mind, we all over load those trailers never taking to mind the rating of our hitches.

Yesterday I had over 5000lbs tongue wieght on a 14000lbs trailer. Now do that with your stock hitch.

 

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Paul, you should have really used grade 5 bolts as opposed to switching to grade 8s. The reason grade 5s are used in this situation is because the attachment hardware is side loaded, subject to shearing stresses. Grade 8 bolts do not work as well as grade 5 bolts in shear situations. Grade 8 bolts would be preferred in situations where clamping strength is required. That's one of the reasons Warn supplies grade 5 bolts with their winch mounting kits (to install the winch to the mount... on I believe all but the 8274 series of winches). It's due to shear stress. If the attachment hardware was in line with the intended pull, grade 8 hardware would be a better choice. Another case in point; Reese has the following notice on their installation instructions, "Important Note: Use only Reese supplied or approved bolts,locknuts, and washers to install this hitch", which happen to be, you guessed it, grade 5. They also provide a further warning as to refrain from lubricating the threads as bolt failure may occur due to over tightening (due to reduced friction, thereby deceiving the torque wrench.

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'98. 5 2500 QC 4x4, (BLACK) SLT Sport, ISB, LWB, 3. 54 LSD, A/T, Glasstite Vision II canopy, Line-X bed liner, 285/75R16 BFG A/Ts on 16x8 M/T Challengers, Warn 4X Boards, Mopar fender flares, front and rear NW Custom stainless steel/rubber mud flaps, Mag-Hytec diff. cover and trans. pan, Edelbrock IAS shocks, Mopar tow hooks, Reese Titan V hitch, Jordan Research Ultima 2020 trailer brake controller, VDO Vision gauges, '00 Sport grille, '00 Sport headlights with PIAA Super White 9007/9004 bulbs, 4-2-7+4 Brite-Box, PIAA Dual Sport 900 auxiliary lights, BD exhaust brake and TorqLoc, Prime-Loc fuel filter relocation kit, Bosch 275 hp. injectors, VA CPC, DD Boost Module, Banks Stinger wastegate actuator, Psychotty induction system, BLACK '00 valve cover, Banks Stinger 4" dia. stainless steel exhaust system, BD LV V10/Cummins hybrid TC and valve body, BD modified transmission front pump and PressureLoc, plus many other trick modifications

[This message has been edited by John (edited 05-29-2000). ]

 

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Thanks for the advice... guess I'm out another $200 before I get the trailer I want... I'd rather be safe than sorry. Boy is it getting expen$ive to own one of these diesel babies ! Worth it, though, more than worth it... .

 

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Thanks John for the info.

Never knew this before. I thought these guys just used grade 5 in their hardware packages to save money?

I'v allways thrown away hardware and went to grade 8 (snowplow, winch)


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2001 3500 slt+ sport HO ETH 6spd every option available Black with agate leather
3:54,Class 5 hitch

 

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If you want to look at a nice Class 4 hitch, look at the 2000 chev/gmc. Lots better than our DC. Surprise!