Hitch Rating V5
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 916
Likes: 296
From: E TN
Hitch Rating V5
Question about using a WDH made me look at the sticker on the hitch on my F350 DRW 4 door 7.3L truck. with WDH it's 1,250lbs and 12,500lbs without WDH it's 500lbs and 5,000lbs. Then I see later model trucks with the ratings much higher on the hitch and WDH and non WDH ratings the same. Any facts on are the older hitches under rated or just not as good?
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 420
Likes: 138
From: South Texas
The older trucks came with a 2" receiver, your new F350 will come with a 3" receiver (mine did) which increases capacity. If you use reducers from 3" to 2 1/2 to 2 " you create a weaker link which will reduce the capacity.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,732
Likes: 12,873
From: Wyoming
2017+ frames are much stronger than years prior to that.
The 2017+ sticker that doesn't mention a different rating with WDH just means that the hitch/frame itself can handle the entire tongue load. It doesn't mean you don't need a WDH for handling. Not all trailers need a WDH. Most enclosed utility trailers and flat bed trailers don't need WDH because they typically don't sway.
The 2017+ sticker that doesn't mention a different rating with WDH just means that the hitch/frame itself can handle the entire tongue load. It doesn't mean you don't need a WDH for handling. Not all trailers need a WDH. Most enclosed utility trailers and flat bed trailers don't need WDH because they typically don't sway.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 916
Likes: 296
From: E TN
The mention of the frame difference is interesting. The sticker is on my hitch, has nothing to do with the frame. They sell much higher rated hitches for my 2003 F350, somehow the hitch itself must be that much stronger, I highly doubt it. Despite the fact it mounts to the same holes with the same amount of the same grade bolts to the same frame using the same 2" receiver size. https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hit...cleID=20028725
I'm beginning to think someone is lying on a lot of this weight rating and weigh capacity of these trucks and trailers.
I'm beginning to think someone is lying on a lot of this weight rating and weigh capacity of these trucks and trailers.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,732
Likes: 12,873
From: Wyoming
Just because you can buy a receiver hitch rated for 30,000 lbs doesn't mean your truck's frame can handle that. To determine the overall rating, it's the sum of the components, not a single component.
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 304
Likes: 192
From: Northern California
Attached a video below, this guy upgraded his to the even heavier duty Curt version w/2.5" receiver on his old SuperDuty. He also took a few measurements and it's definitely a beefier hitch than factory.
If you were already looking at a WDH, the factory hitch should be more than adequate for what your truck can tow.
If you were already looking at a WDH, the factory hitch should be more than adequate for what your truck can tow.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 91
Likes: 32
From: Parker, CO
I believe the 3" receiver is only on the F450 or possibly F350 dualy. My 2024 F350 shortbed SRW only had a 2.5".
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,732
Likes: 12,873
From: Wyoming
Yep. Ford was putting the 3" receiver on a lot of 2017 trucks but tightened that up within the past few years. I like the 3" receiver, but geez there aren't many WDH options for that size.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 916
Likes: 296
From: E TN
Link I put is for a 2" receiver hitch. I'm not changing my hitch maybe I just need to change the sticker or get one of the creative engineers that put the new ratings on this stuff to make me a sticker. Anyone that believes my hitch has a maximum tongue weight of 500lbs and somehow that new hitch has a tongue weight of 2550 lbs. has some explaining to do.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 7,999
Likes: 4,065
You can ONLY base the capacity on the OEM hitch because as mentioned above, its the SUM of all parts, not one single component. If the OEM hitch is rated 500 non WDH, then its 500 because of the truck its attached to, not the hitch alone. It all has to do with the physics of the configuration. Exceed 500 pounds without WDH, it changes the trucks geometry making it unsafe in certain conditions. What ever the manufacturer lists as hitch weight, remains the same regardless of what hitch is actually installed, as they are limits the manufacturer places on the truck, not the components.
Think about it, if you can somehow attach that 30K receiver to a VW Bug, does the Bug now have that kind of towing capacity? Or on a Ranger, Maverick or S10?
Think about it, if you can somehow attach that 30K receiver to a VW Bug, does the Bug now have that kind of towing capacity? Or on a Ranger, Maverick or S10?
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 916
Likes: 296
From: E TN
https://www.curtmfg.com/part/13486I guess I'll trade my F350 dually for a Hyundai Santa Cruz, hitch has a higher tongue rating than mine does and the ad clearly says
- "Trailer hitch weight ratings are limited to vehicle manufacturer's stated capacities"
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 916
Likes: 296
From: E TN
So my dually can only handle 500lbs tongue weight, they really built them poorly back then. Santa Cruz has no frame and a higher tongue weight rating than my 4 door diesel dually. I think the rating engineers are part of the marketing team.
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Media PA
I think that your dually is a far more capable tow rig than a new Santa Cruz, but less capable than a new dually.