I bought my 2003 F250 SD XLT CC SB 7.3L about 2 years ago, hitch installed. Never noticed until now the Rating plate is Missing. I ran the VIN decoder and returned info leading me to believe it may have been a factory install. My question for those who know:
Did Ford Factory install hitches? or was this likely an aftermarket install? If you know and have one that was factory install could you include a snapshot to verify similar design.
The reason I'm leading up to this was, I just purchased a Toy hauler, bumper pull with the following specs:




<li class="odd">GVWR 7775 lbs.<li class="even">Hitch Weight 775 lbs.<li class="odd">UVW 5030 lbs. <li class="even">CCC 2745 lbs.

I plan on installing a No-Sway, Weight Distribution Hitch once I get home. Just trying to figure where I will be at bringing it home. The 3 ball hitch insert I have been using has a 7500 lbs. rating.

Trying to shore up trucks hitch rating, any help is appreciated, I have never pulled anything over 3500 lbs. so I never really paid attention until now.


Thanks!

 

Yes ford put factory hitches on the super Dutys.

My 99 hitch is rated for 500/5,000 carrying, and 1,000/10,000 weight distributing. But I've had probably 1500lb tongue weight with a 15,000lb trailer on it without weight distribution.

I know the hitches went up in ratings from there. Just not sure what year.

You'll be perfectly fine. It's a super duty, and the factory hitches are very stout. Hook it up and don't even worry about it.

 

This is what decoder list:
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. 5000 lbs 5000.0 min 5000.0 max
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. 500 lbs 500.0 min 500.0 max

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. 12500 lbs 12500.0 min 12500.0 max
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. 1250 lbs 1250.0 min 1250.0 max


I fount this that seems to bump up the rating a bit.
http://www.fleet.ford.com/resources/...s/2003_All.pdf


Page 16
*Effective with Fall 2002 production, the F-Series Super Duty optional (code 86R) conventional hitch receiver capacity increases to 6,000 lbs. weightcarrying and 15,000 lbs. weight-distributing. Conventional maximum loaded trailer weights remain at 12,500 lbs. with SRW pickup models, and increaseup to 13,900 lbs. with DRW pickup models (weight varies by model). Refer to page 19 for conventional and fifth-wheel trailer weights.and 15,000 lbs. weight-distributing. Conventional maximum loaded trailer weights remain at 12,500 lbs. with SRW pickup models, and increase
up to 13,900 lbs. with DRW pickup models (weight varies by model). Refer to page 19 for conventional and fifth-wheel trailer weights.


Thanks for the input!