Third Generation Hitch Capacity?

[Coalsmoke]

Thanks for posting your findings so far. I'll get after Dodge them tomorrow and see what story I get and at least we might have something to compare.

 

[Coalsmoke]

Ok Loren, through a combination of Dodge based info, this is the conclusion I've come to. The hitch itself has a 12,000-lb tow rating. To achieve this, Dodge wants no more than a 1,200-lb tongue weight and the use of a weight distributing hitch. As a load / weight carrying setup only (no weight distributing setup), Dodge recommends a maximum of 5,000-lb towing and 500-lb tongue weight.

 

[PaulWatkins]

If you really get worried about it get a Putnam receiver. 15k/1,500 or 16k/1,600 with WD. 25211 is the number. It's on my list of mods to do.

 

[seafish]

Or you could condsider getting a Reunel bumper with a welded in hitch. Reunel has been making these bumper for a long time and makes alot of the for CalTrans and other state agencies. They rate this bumper at 20k with a 6k tongue weight.

Here is a link to their site:
Reunel Extreme Heavy Duty Bumpers

And here is a link to some pics of mine:
https://www.turbodieselregister.com...cussions/200102-anyone-line-x-ed-bumpers.html

 

[Russknh]

I have installed a superhitch on my 08 dually just like I did on my 06 and 07--I use them with an extension and without they have a 18k rating

 

[Loren]

Ok Loren, through a combination of Dodge based info, this is the conclusion I've come to. The hitch itself has a 12,000-lb tow rating. To achieve this, Dodge wants no more than a 1,200-lb tongue weight and the use of a weight distributing hitch. As a load / weight carrying setup only (no weight distributing setup), Dodge recommends a maximum of 5,000-lb towing and 500-lb tongue weight.

Coalsmoke,



I've pretty much reached the same conclusion. Mostly what I have been seeking is some documentation of all of that. It should be in the owner's manual, but it's not. The manual just refers the owner to the dealer, and I've asked them already. They didn't know anything that I didn't already know. Maybe I asked the wrong person. Next time I'm in there I'll find my salesman. He's very knowledgeable about these trucks and might know right where to find this information.



Thanks,

Loren

 

[Coalsmoke]

I agree, they really should have put a couple more sentences in the manual. We're surely not the first nor the last people to have the same questions, especially when the factory hitch doesn't even have load stampings on it. Glad to be of some help.

 

[MFalkinham]

If you really get worried about it get a Putnam receiver. 15k/1,500 or 16k/1,600 with WD. 25211 is the number. It's on my list of mods to do.

I found the OEM receiver to be flimsy, especially from the tongue weight perspective. The Putnam is a really beefy hitch, but be aware that you have to cut off the receiver from the OEM hitch tube to install it. It's not hard to do with a sawzall, but for those who are not mechanically inclined it may pose a problem.

This thread shows some great pictures of Putnam installations on 3rd gen trucks.

https://www.turbodieselregister.com...-discussions/179109-putnam-class-v-hitch.html

 

[PaulWatkins]

Here is another link to a Putnam install. My RV Talk - Blog » Blog Archive » Putnam Hitch Installation



For you guys that used a sawzall any tips on where to start and how many different cuts you need to make? Thanks.

 

[MFalkinham]

For you guys that used a sawzall any tips on where to start and how many different cuts you need to make? Thanks.

It depends on what results you want. Most guys just cut straight across the top of the receiver, which is fairly easy using 12" metal cutting sawzall blades. Doing this you will have two bolts connecting the OEM receiver tube to the Putnam hitch assembly.

I prefered to leave behind as much of the original mounting brackets as possible for welding purposes, so I used several 12" and 6" sawzall blades, as well as some abrasive cutting discs for my air cutter. It took a lot longer, but I think the results are cleaner, and my hitch is now very strong with this combination of mounting bolts and welds.

 

[AABEN]

I said that a weight distributing was safer. A weight distributing will let you move some of the weight to front axle . That way you will not be over loaded on the back axle and have better steering control.

 

[abdiver]

Or you could condsider getting a Reunel bumper with a welded in hitch. Reunel has been making these bumper for a long time and makes alot of the for CalTrans and other state agencies. They rate this bumper at 20k with a 6k tongue weight.



Here is a link to their site:

Reunel Extreme Heavy Duty Bumpers



And here is a link to some pics of mine:

https://www.turbodieselregister.com...cussions/200102-anyone-line-x-ed-bumpers.html

I was going to go with the Reunel Bumper, BUT I understand that the bed needs to be lifted a little over 2 inches to get the bumper installed. I have a heavy Caravan shell and a bedrug installed and a 70 gal in bed transferflow tank. Don't know if reunel would want to mess around with the extras to install it I could do it myself but now I am considering bolt on hitch