Buying a hitch
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Boston MA
Buying a hitch
Hello,
I just picked up a 97 F250 HD with factory tow harness, but no hitch.
Can anyone recommend or anti-recommend any Class III hitches?
Are the new U-Haul round hitchs any good?
Thanks,
Matt
I just picked up a 97 F250 HD with factory tow harness, but no hitch.
Can anyone recommend or anti-recommend any Class III hitches?
Are the new U-Haul round hitchs any good?
Thanks,
Matt
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,493
Likes: 346
From: SE Iowa
Buying a hitch
Take a look at www.northerntool.com
I bought their Class IV hitch. Its rated for 8000lbs WC and 15000 WD. Pretty easy install. Line it up and drill the holes. I'd switch to grade 8 hardware though, just to be safe. Its only $110 plus shipping, which was only $20 more than the Class III. If your in no hurry, they go on sell often. I liked the added capacity for the same price as most Class IIIs.
Stryder
I bought their Class IV hitch. Its rated for 8000lbs WC and 15000 WD. Pretty easy install. Line it up and drill the holes. I'd switch to grade 8 hardware though, just to be safe. Its only $110 plus shipping, which was only $20 more than the Class III. If your in no hurry, they go on sell often. I liked the added capacity for the same price as most Class IIIs.
Stryder
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 664
Likes: 129
From: Columbia, MD
Buying a hitch
The "conventional" Class III receiver hitches I've seen are pretty much the same, for the simple reason that they work. Flat plates bolt onto the frame, square crosstube fits and bolts into the flat plates, receiver is welded to the crossbar. Personally, I would order one of the brands from JC Whitney or someplace like that and go on price.
I haven't seen any of the oval- or round-tubed "shaped" mounts, but I figure you're only adding looks, stress concentrations/failure points, and cost.
Many years ago, I say a U-haul hitch for a specific small car model fail because of what I now know to be really poor design that caused a fatigue failure. Their truck hitches are probably much better, but I would not count them as a "superior" brand.
Whatever you do, make sure to use the hardened bolts that come with the kit. Unhardened bolts can be cut through by shearing action between the framehitch mount plates.
I haven't seen any of the oval- or round-tubed "shaped" mounts, but I figure you're only adding looks, stress concentrations/failure points, and cost.
Many years ago, I say a U-haul hitch for a specific small car model fail because of what I now know to be really poor design that caused a fatigue failure. Their truck hitches are probably much better, but I would not count them as a "superior" brand.
Whatever you do, make sure to use the hardened bolts that come with the kit. Unhardened bolts can be cut through by shearing action between the framehitch mount plates.
Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 5,324
Likes: 1
From: Denton,TX
Buying a hitch
I would highly recommend www.hitch-web.com for purchasing. They don't charge shipping and their prices seem to be fairly low. I'm assuming that by U-Haul hitches you mean Reese. Reese makes good products.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,537
Likes: 27
From: Long Beach, Ms.
Buying a hitch
Matt;
A class III/IV hitch reciever seems to be what you need. They are usually rated for weight carrying 500# tongue weight, 5000# towing / weight distributing 1000#/10,000#. My Valley Industries reciever arrived the same day I ordered it at my local Advance Auto Parts store. It was on sale for $99.88. Normaly it is priced at about $120.00. Remember that you usually need to purchase the hitch itself separately. There are many,many different designs such as 2" drop, 4" drop 3 way(3 different sized hitch ***** on one hitch insert), weight distributing, ect. ect. ect. You will need to know what you will be towing to match up your system. I bet you thought the answer would be simple didn't you? Good luck and happy trails.
A class III/IV hitch reciever seems to be what you need. They are usually rated for weight carrying 500# tongue weight, 5000# towing / weight distributing 1000#/10,000#. My Valley Industries reciever arrived the same day I ordered it at my local Advance Auto Parts store. It was on sale for $99.88. Normaly it is priced at about $120.00. Remember that you usually need to purchase the hitch itself separately. There are many,many different designs such as 2" drop, 4" drop 3 way(3 different sized hitch ***** on one hitch insert), weight distributing, ect. ect. ect. You will need to know what you will be towing to match up your system. I bet you thought the answer would be simple didn't you? Good luck and happy trails.
