Just took delivery on my new 2011 F250 6.7L CC SB. towing capacity cited as 14K. The hitch on the truck is rated only for 12.5K. Dealer says Ford was late getting 14K hitches in so started building with 12.5K. I need the full 14K .... Dealer will take a look into it. IMO Ford should change out the hitch to the one advertised. Thoughts?

 

You can ask for the swap...or buy one on the lot with the hitch you desire.

It is up to you, the propective owner to look at the feature on the truck in front of you to determine if it has the options that you desire.

I never take the window stick at face value, I always look under the truck, under the hood, check the spare, etc.

I hope he does it for you, don't see why he would not as he can re-sell the 12.5K.

 

Pull the factory hitch off, put on an after market 15k hitch like this one and push on.

Curt Trailer Hitch for Ford F-250 and F-350 Super Duty 2011 - 15514

 

I don't think you should pick up new vehicle and start with taking it to a shop for making it right.
Per my knowledge 14 k hitch will be 2.5" . What is the 12k size?

 

12.5K reciever is 2".

 

Are you talking weights for a weight distributing hitch? If that is the case you do not want either one! The weight distributing rating that my '09 hitch came with was 12,500. The bumper rating was only 6,000. I upgraded to one with 12,000 bumper and 14,000 weight distributing. You can go to this link to see all the hitches available for your truck:

2011 Ford F-250 and F-350 Super Duty Trailer Hitch | etrailer.com

 

Your awning is bent.

 

Yep, you're right. It was damaged by snow load due to the previous owner's neglect. But the price I paid for the trailer way more than made up for the flaws.

 

I do have bad experience with heavy trailers and 2" hitches.
Even on my flatbed the 2" receiver is welded between 4" C-Chanel and heavy plates, under the heavy load the plate bend and welds started to crack. I repaired the receiver and bolted pintle hook directly to plates.
When you use receiver with about 12" ball mount, that will bring huge bending forces to the receiver.
Bottom line, I would stay away from 2".

 

Long story short ..... I ordered the truck but was going to take 3-4 months to get in. Dealer found one similar to that ordered and came up with $1.5k towards the additional options on the one found. Went for it. Had 2 days now and this truck is totally amazing.

Ok back to hitch issue ..... I am going to hope the dealer can come through. They are a great dealer and if it can be done they will do it. I would prefer the Ford hitch but I do hear you on the drop and get aftermarket. Especially on the price of the one on the link above.

I want to get 2.5" instead of 2 for strength.

Do u think the ford hitch is a better match for strength etc?

 

What are you towing? Are you really planning on using the extra 1,500 lbs of capacity?

I've had up to 11,000 lbs on my '08s 12.5K hitch and the thing was solid as a rock. You could tow all day, every day with 12,000 lbs on that hitch until the truck died of old age and that hitch would not break.

I, too, have the 2" receiver on my '11 F350. When I first read about how it should have the 2.5" unit I was a bit miffed, until I realized that I'll never likely use the extra capacity. I've never even seen a 2.5" draw bar!

 

The fact is that you never know how much hitch you need till it is too late.
I had the factory 2" hitch breaking from my frame 500 miles from home.
Would I not have backup in the pintle hitch mount, leaving heavy trailer on the freeway that far from home would really made for bad day.
or two...

 

I've yet to see a stock hitch that was worth a damn. Maybe Ford will get it right with the 14K hitch? I don't know. I do know I wouldn't go for it if you're required to use a weight distributing hitch in order to get the maximum 14,000 out of it. Make sure you ask what the tongue weight is on the hitch. On my stock hitch it was only 600 pounds. To get the max (1250) I would have to go weight distributing. The first trailer I pulled was my buddy's 8,000 pound snow machine trailer. It would have maxed out the stock hitch by 200 pounds on the tongue and 2,000 pounds on the gross. I couldn't even put a weight distibuting hitch on the trailer. There was no room. All this from a hitch that Ford advertises as a 12,500 lb. hitch. So, when they tell you you're getting a 14,000 pound hitch make sure that's not just with the weight distributing hitch. Good luck.

 

Thanks for the responses folks. I am pulling a 35' Formula Fastech Boat .... weight loaded and wet is approx. 13000 lbs. We dont usually use weight distribution or equalization hitches as they hang up on the launch ramps.

I looked on the links provided and checked out Reece as well. I think I will put on the 18000 lb hitch with the 1800lb tongue weight. Better to oversize and be safe. I realize I MAY have to put in air bags but will cross that bridge when tested. I was hoping that the Ford 14K would be the answer but I'm hearing that it may not.

 

I have the same truck and do local and long distance boat transport with it. I just took a boat that weighed 9800lbs atop my triple axle 2800lb aluminum trailer. I wasn't liking it with fords hitch. Your making a wise choice going with a weight rating higher than needed. Folks who say its fine don't take into account the worry factor as your towing. I bought Curts 20,000lb hitch and am glad I did