Stock hitch

[ALehman]

Is everyone out there still using their stock hitches from dodge or upgraded to newer more reliable hitches. When I took my stocker off to paint it I found a crack along the mounting flange. The trailer shop said that they have seen a lot like that.

 

[McCRam]

The only thing I have towed with my hitch is a 3800 lbs boat. Everything else is on a gooseneck. Other wise I would have replaced it by now, just because I have heard stories like that before. I do look it over good whenever I am under there.

 

[Bob4x4]

There is a recall that covers some years for the cracking.



I built my own



Bob

 

[BK]

Dumped mine the moment I found out about the recall.

If you had the dealer put the hitch on at the dealer ship when you purchased your truck, they would refund your money. If it came from the factory with the hitch already installed, they made you keep the POS and the dealer would only add some support brackets. I had a very heated converastion with DC customer service about this. I tow a ~30' @ about 7Klbs on and off road.



For peace of mind, I bought the biggest rease hitch for the Dodge...

HUGE, HUGE difference in weight, design, size compared to the "class III" Dodge put on the truck. It's more like a class II when compared to what's out there.



I couldn't find cracks on stock hitch... it's in the back work shop acting like a book end holding up some pieces of plywood.

 

[LJFiler]

I was wondering if someone could tell me where I could find out some more information about the hitch recall. I have a 2001 with the stock hitch and this is the first time that I had heard there was a problem with the stock hitch. Maybe they fixed the problem by 2001. Any information would be greatly appreciated. I guess I will crawl under the truck and check this weekend.

 

[BK]

TSB Number Issue Date TSB Title



1. 973W APR 01 Recall - Secondary Hood Latch Lubrication

2. 872 APR 00 Recall - Trailer Hitch Reinforcement Brackets



some more:

872 - factory tow (AHC), Mopar Accessory hitch installed 98-00 - Trailer Hitch Reinforcement Brackets



Model Hitch Part No. (QTY 1) Hitch Part No. (QTY 12)

1999-2000 BR/BE 82204656 82204657 (12 of P/N 82204656)

1994-1998 BR/BE 82401014 82204069 (12 of P/N 82401014)



NOTE: Mopar accessory trailer hitch P/N 82202017 & 82205979 are not affected by this recall.



http://dodgeram.info/tsb/recalls/872.htm



is where I found most of the info for the recall with a little googleing.

 

[LJFiler]

Thanks for the info.

 

[Lordsman]

Threw mine in a scrap pile and bought a Class IV Redline for $75 bucks. I thought the other one was a knuckle buster anyway when pulling out the harness. I'd rather have one thats built right from the get go instead of having the dealer weld plates over the crack areas, talk about cheap.

 

[BK]

I didn't want have my trailer come through my tailgate or pass me on the interstate... . so for the price of the reese class V hitch... . cheep insurance.



There was just way to much unsupported length on the side plate of the hitch, from where it left the frame and went down to the square tube. Way to much leverage put on the ungussetted mounting flanges, compared to what our trucks are rated to tow.

 

[ALehman]

Which hitch would be the best to go with. Taking in mind pulling a trailer or hooking to a pulling sled. Which would complement both

 

[BK]

Don't know what's best for sled pulling...

but for my on and off road trailer towing the Reese Titan class V has been great for me. It's made very well, and has a much larger frame and tubing than the other I looked at.

It has a 2. 5" receiver , not 2".

It comes with a sleeve to bring the receiver down to 2" so you can use all your 2" standard stuff.

Reese sells all sorts of 2. 5" things to plug into the 2. 5" receiver directly.

There's a thick plate with large holes for the safety chains.

Lots of gusseting from the frame mounting flange to the side plates.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

I've also gone with the Resse Titan V. DC welding extra plates on is like putting a band-aid on a broken leg. Fix the problem by dumping the stock hitch.

 

[J DeMaio]

I've considered one of these Reese class V hitches. I tow quite heavy with this style hitch and am somewhat nervous. What is the maximum trailer weight you've towed with this type of hitch?



Thanks,



John

 

[BK]

I've towed about 8K on and off road.

http://www.reesehitch.com/cl_5titan.html

It's rated for 14K according to the website.

Would have swarn mine said 15K on it.

Oh well.

Looks like now you have to buy the reducer seperate. Thought mine came with it, maybe I'm wrong. Been a long time since I bought it.

 

[ramman]

hitch

I've truck pulled with mine and seen lots of other rams pull all the can pull and never seen one fail. I assure you the tounge load from the sled far exceeds the rateing so don't freak out and through your money away.

 

[CumminsPower98]

My '98 is cracking on both sides right in the corners up at the frame. My cousin's '97 is also cracking on both sides. We just started in the RV transport industry not long ago. We have also been running without the weight distribution bars on trailers that should have had them with this wimpy hitch so I'm sure that didn't help. Time for a real hitch looks like.