Stock class III hitch or new class IV hitch?

[RAMINSPEED]

To my knowledge, all of our trucks come with only a class III receiver hitch (500 lb TW, 5000 lb GTW). Our trucks towing capacity is much higher (13,000 to 16,000 lbs). I’m looking at getting a Weekend Warrior FS3000 toy hauler pull trailer that has a 13,000 pound GVW (7,000 lbs dry) with a tongue weight in excess of 1,000 pounds. Even with a weight distribution hitch, can I safely pull this thing or do I need to upgrade to a class IV receiver?



Has anyone changed theirs out to a class IV and if so how difficult was it?



I know the Furd PS come with class IV hitches. Why does DC put only class III hitches on these things? Am I missing something?

 

[Eric_77]

I added the Reese Titan Class V it is 14,000 lbs rated with weight distributing hitch. The stock hitch holds the bumper on; so either you need to get the non-hitch bumper mounting hardware, fab your own, or find AF that also holds the bumper the Titan does not (so I have two hitches on my truck).

 

[kmcdonough]

This is what it says on the Dodge web site for towing:



"While it's not listed in the charts, tongue weight is also an important consideration. The recommended tongue weight is between 10 & 15% of the trailer weight. However, the maximum tongue weight on Class III (The bumper ball) is limited to 500 lbs, and Class IV (The receiver hitch) to 1200 lbs. This requirement overrides any recommended GTW rating, between 10% and 15% of gross trailer weight (GTW). Additionally, the GAWRs and GVWRs should never be exceeded. "



So does this mean the factory hitch is a class IV?

 

[CIverson]

It says 12,000lbs in the owners manual, IIRC.

 

[kmcdonough]

I looked at my owners manual again. It says the factory hitch is a class IV hitch rated at 10k. Then there is an yellow addendum card that says the hitch is rated at 12k. So sounds like your right at the limit (over if your trailer is maxed out) with the factory installed hitch.

 

[Crunch]

Originally posted by RAMINSPEED

To my knowledge, all of our trucks come with only a class III receiver hitch (500 lb TW, 5000 lb GTW). Our trucks towing capacity is much higher (13,000 to 16,000 lbs).

<snip>

Has anyone changed theirs out to a class IV and if so how difficult was it?

"All of our trucks", Kimosabe? My truck came with the tow package, which included a class IV receiver. I only had to buy the slide hitch and pin. I got the heavy duty Hidden Hitch and added the nice locking pin (the one that uses a vending machine type key). Total cost for the hitch and locking pin was about $80. I don't remember, but I think I also had to buy the ball for the hitch, but it was still about $80. I was looking at a setup with two different sized hitch balls on it, but the salesman told me that all new trailers used the 2" ball, so I went with that size.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

On the 2nd gen trucks, over 10,000 pounds required a 5th wheel hitch, not tag along. I haven't read anything about the 3rd Gen on this topic, but I'd be conservative and not try 14,000 with any trailer that does not have very good manners. Independent suspension (not stiff leaf springs) and shock absorbers help the ride and handling of the trailer.



Trailers over 5000 lb almost always come with a 2-5/16" hitch ball. .

 

[FFL8N]

What Joe said..... don't get the 2" ball!!! 2" balls are for motorcycle trailers and utility trailers.

 

[goodwid]

Trailers over 5000 lb almost always come with a 2-5/16" hitch ball. .



Dito..... our T. T. is 4600 dry and requires a 2-5/16 ball

 

[Casey Balvert]

2003 and 04 trucks with factory installed receivers are rated for 12,000 pound GTW and 1200 pounds tongue weight when used with a properly rated equalizing hitch. The confusion started because of conflicting information on the DC website during the 03 model year and all of the early owners manuals had misprints that said 10,000 GTW and 1,000 tongue weight. Later DC added addendums to the manual correcting the info but the confusion continues to exist. Factory receivers are Class 4 rated for 12,000 and 1,200. The printing on the bumper refers to a ball mounted on the bumper, not the receiver. Also 12,000 pounds is the limit for tag alongs. Anything higher then 12,000 pounds requires a fiver hitch setup.



Casey

 

[RobbieH]

Or a gooseneck.