OK, now I'm confused...trailer hitch.

[steved]

I just read in the owners manual that the factory installed hitch is a Class 4, not a Class 3 like a lot of you told me it was... the BUMPER is a Class 3.



It also states in the manual a max towing weight of 12k... and tongue weight of 350 (without a WDH)...



So which is it?? I'm leaning on believing the manual...



steved

 

[JVolpe]

It is classified as a Class IV hitch, but with that tongue weight you are surely going to need a WDH for that level load.

 

[RustyJC]

If you have the trailer towing package, the receiver included with that option is Class IV.



If you don't, the bumper hitch system is apparently Class III.



Rusty

 

[Lorenz]

14,000# rating on the hitch



17,000# rating on the 2. 5" reciever

 

[Lorenz]

#ad


#ad

 

[steved]

14,000# rating on the hitch



17,000# rating on the 2. 5" reciever

2. 5" receiver????



What are you talking about?? Mine's a 2"...



steved

 

[JSienkowski]

Reese makes a hitch platform called the "Titan" which is a 21/2" reciever and is rated for the heavier weight.

 

[steved]

Reese makes a hitch platform called the "Titan" which is a 21/2" reciever and is rated for the heavier weight.

I thought that was what he was talking about... one of the others makes one called the "Monster" that is also a 2. 5" hitch with a 15k rating...



steved

 

[Lorenz]

2. 5" receiver????



What are you talking about?? Mine's a 2"...

The OEM is under the fancy "cover". The Reese Titan/Tow Beast 2. 5" is the one you can see in the pic. There's two hitches there. Look close.



The OEM was scaring me. I tow a 32' enclosed, and have a camper in the bed. I have to use a stinger/extension to clear my camper. I didn't like the looks of all that weight extended out on the OEM hitch.

 

[chazj]

I have the Titan Hitch with the 21/2" square opening. I use a "sleeve" to reduce it down to 2" for my Equal-z-er Hitch setup.



My friend (who also had the Titan) has added a Bigfoot camper on the back of his truck and switched to a Torklift Superhitch as he also needs a longer stinger to pull his enclosed trailer. Apparently the Superhitch was more suited for this duty than the original Titan.

 

[brods]

Good luck figuring it out. The stock “towing package” class “IV” hitch is only rated for 350 lbs tongue weight without a WD setup. Here is a thread about Uhaul rating the stock hitch as a class III. https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133946 It has been discussed in other threads as well.



Chrysler customer service does not respond to inquiries as to why the supposedly class IV hitch is rated so low for weight carrying... . probably just CYA.

 

[DBoyd]

Where is it stated in the manual what the rec. hitch capacity is? I thought it was supposed to be stamped on the hitch but I can't find the info anywhere. The one in question is the 06 with the factory tow package. I have the Reese Titan on my 97 and I wouldn't take for it. It is a fine unit but I was looking at a small reese hitch in Tractor Supply or Walmart and it was made in CHINA!!!! I hope the big Reeses are still hecho in EU!!

DB

 

[Crunch]

I just read in the owners manual that the factory installed hitch is a Class 4, not a Class 3 like a lot of you told me it was... the BUMPER is a Class 3.



It also states in the manual a max towing weight of 12k... and tongue weight of 350 (without a WDH)...



So which is it?? I'm leaning on believing the manual...

Class IV. Earlier this year I towed a load of shrimp to Alabama. The shrimp weighed about 30lbs. and the water in the totes weighed about 10,000lbs. I estimated that the trailer weight with load was 11,700lbs. It was a brand new 16' Load Trail. The Cat scale pegged the total weight at 16,848lbs. The load was evenly distributed and didn't drop the back of the truck much. I was almost at maximum load weight. It handled beautifully all the way to the destination, which was in the foothills of the Appalachians. Popped it out of OD on the hills and had no complaints. That said, I should have been using some weight distribution, but not having access to a WD hitch I skipped it and was extra attentive to what I was doing.



But now, if the rumors are correct there is a new wrinkle in this. I've heard that states are starting to weigh non-commercial vehicles on the portable scales and dropping fines on them if they exceed the weight ratings of their vehicle or equipment. This includes weight distribution, brake controller, etc. And right here at the TDR there have been rumors that the feds are looking to regulate the towing of travel trailers and other heavy trailer loads as commercial vehicles. Definitely something to consider the next time you drop a trailer on the back of your truck. Even if your equipment is in order you might get fined if the load isn't distributed properly over each axle.

 

[MChildress]

I did not like the way the factory receiver hitch is mounted out on the end of the frame and was not impressed with light tubing and metal it is constructed with. I placed a Reese Titan under the factory hitch and can use the factory hitch for a bicycle hauler. :-laf I have seen two broke,they did not turn loose completely just broke and sagged almost to the ground. One was a low boy car hauler with a 03 Dodge show truck and the other was a landscape crew hauling mowers but I am sure they have had a few loads of dirt on the same trailer. My dually will haul 16,000 lbs but I sure would'nt put it on the factory hitch.

 

[Riverrat]

I have a early 04 2500. I use a Equalizer hitch to tow a 30' Weekend Warror RV. I have never weighed the truck or trailer alone but the one time I did weigh the full rig. I roled across the scales at 21,720# gross weight. Has any one had any first hand experience pulling this much load over a long period of time? As for the hitch I am already seeing wear at the locking pin. I have only had this rig for about 6 mo.

 

[steved]

I've already made the decision to buy an aftermarket class V so that I wouldn't even need the WDH... I towed this much weight behind my 99 without a WDH with zero problems... figure as long as I put a hitch on the truck to carry the trailer that this truck should also tow fine.



steved

 

[jelag]

There is something here that all of you have to remember... . that most dealers will add a dealer installed tow package... for 2 reasons...



1 - they can use the hitch of their choice (read cheep) and put them on the trucks as needed.....



2 - they than mark this up and usually make more profit... . remember that all the wiring is in the truck... . and there are several vendors who offer the wiring kit, and hitch that make this a plug and play option... .



So when you see a truck on the lot, look at the sticker or invoice and see if the truck was built that way..... or the dealer added it on... .

 

[steved]

There is something here that all of you have to remember... . that most dealers will add a dealer installed tow package... for 2 reasons...



1 - they can use the hitch of their choice (read cheep) and put them on the trucks as needed.....



2 - they than mark this up and usually make more profit... . remember that all the wiring is in the truck... . and there are several vendors who offer the wiring kit, and hitch that make this a plug and play option... .



So when you see a truck on the lot, look at the sticker or invoice and see if the truck was built that way..... or the dealer added it on... .

Mine is OE and factory installed.



steved