Hitch rating question?
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Prolocutor
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Western MA
Hitch rating question?
I've read a couple of posts in the past, but want to get a consensus on the reality of the hitch weight rating on the SD's. Is the rating on the SD hitch that of the truck or the hitch? I am in the market for a toy hauler TT and was thinking of upgrading my stock hitch which is rated kind of low. I can get the Curt 15514 rated at 1500 lbs tongue weight 15,000 towing and 1600 lbs 16,000 weight distributing for only $211 at etrailer. Seems like a cheap upgrade, but I don't like to waste money. Is it really that much heavier duty than our stock hitch? I read in the past that the stocker was rated more on truck limits that the hitch limits and that the bolt on aftermarket ones are hitch rating only. Opinions?
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 73
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From: Sperry Iowa
If your trucks only rated for 12,500 your still over loaded if you put a class 4 hitch on it... They both have to be rated at 15,000 to pull 15,000 unless your using a load equalizer hitch... then that's a different game all together..
You could put a class 4 hitch on a 1/2 ton truck but it still wouldn't be rated for 15,000...
stock 2" reciever is rated at 12,500# WD or 6,000# WC
stock 2.5" reciever is rated at 15,000# WD or 8,000# WC
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Stillwater, OK
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Stephensville WI
The 12.5k or 15k rating is for the hitch itself. You need to look at the Ford towing guide, find your chassis/engine/transmission combination on the chart to figure out what your truck is capable of towing.
While you are at it, be careful of the parts you purchase for the drawbar. I see bars and ***** that are the correct size but rated as low as 5000 pounds.
While you are at it, be careful of the parts you purchase for the drawbar. I see bars and ***** that are the correct size but rated as low as 5000 pounds.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,752
Likes: 5
From: Stillwater, OK
There is a huge difference between a welded ball mount and a forged ball mount...
either way, if you're only using a WC hitch, you're only using half of your hitch's ablity.
pay the extra for a WD hitch and you won't regret it.
either way, if you're only using a WC hitch, you're only using half of your hitch's ablity.
pay the extra for a WD hitch and you won't regret it.
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Prolocutor
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Western MA
So the rating is for the hitch. Thanks. I looked on Ford's Towing Guide posted above and the SD is rated for 12.5 but that's with their hitch so that doesn't really tell me anything. It doesn't mention anywhere what the max is for the truck specifically as they assume they will not be upgrading your hitch. Yes, I know the stocker on my truck is 600-6000 and 1250-12500. Yes, I'm aware of ball mount limits and all of mine are at 10-12k. Although when we get our TT I will be getting an adjustable ball mount rated at 14k. And yes I was intending on getting a wd setup. I just posted the weight carrying capacity of the Curt FYI. Another one most people forget is the pin limit and the ball limit. Most of those are rated at 5k as well. I found a nice machined ball at etrailer rated to 21k. I think that ought to hold things together! I actually wish Ford let you decide whether you wanted their hitch when ordering like they used to. I could have passed and got a heavier hitch for less and saved myself from essentially buying two. I wonder how much thicker the metal is on the Curt to give it a higher rating?
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Jessup, PA
Is the factory hitch the same on the F250/F350 SRW truck as it is on the F350 dually? The reason I ask is because by keeping everything the same and jumping up to a dually, you increase the conventional towing capacity (V10, auto). It goes from 12,500 to 15,000 lbs.
So if the hitch is the same that would mean the hitch is rated for the bigger capacity which is 15,000 lbs. But if it is a different hitch, everything I said is meaningless.
Can you guys see my point though?
So if the hitch is the same that would mean the hitch is rated for the bigger capacity which is 15,000 lbs. But if it is a different hitch, everything I said is meaningless.
Can you guys see my point though?
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2006
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From: MACON, GA
Karl4Cat:
My 2008 F-350 dually, has both. The 2.5 opening comes with an insert to reduce to 2.0. I carry both a 2.0 & a 2.5 hitch.
My gut feeling, if one wants the safest towing hook up, get the fiver.
My 2008 F-350 dually, has both. The 2.5 opening comes with an insert to reduce to 2.0. I carry both a 2.0 & a 2.5 hitch.
My gut feeling, if one wants the safest towing hook up, get the fiver.
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Prolocutor
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From: Western MA
So the 350 dually has the 15k. So the rating is clearly for the hitch. Nothing unsafe about towing a tt. Grew up on it and been doing it myself for years. If you really want a TT to tow like a 5er, here is the solution. ProPride, Inc. Trailer Hitch - The Next Generation in Trailer Sway Elimination
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,752
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From: Stillwater, OK
The advertised limit in the guide for conventional towing stops at the hitch rating...
with a higher rated hitch, your advertised maximum is the GCVWR, but as I've mentioned in many other threads, unless this number is printed on your vehicle (or registration) it is meaningless.
with a higher rated hitch, your advertised maximum is the GCVWR, but as I've mentioned in many other threads, unless this number is printed on your vehicle (or registration) it is meaningless.