is a class 3 hitch enough?

f150fella08 · #1 04-13-2010, 03:22 PM

looking for a hitch for my 2002, i pull alot of stuff and started thinking i needa get a hitch..all i can find is reese class 3's around here

most ill pull is about 7k and i see that the class 3's were rated at 5k?? is that right?

MitchF150 · #2 04-13-2010, 03:53 PM

If you go with a Weight Distribution hitch setup, you can go up to around #1000 tongue weight and #10,000 trailer weight for 'most' Class 3 hitches... Now, that's not saying that's what your TRUCK is rated to haul!

But, just plopping the tongue on the hitch and going, 'most' Class 3's are only rated for 500/5000.

If you need more drop on trailer weight, then you will have to find a hitch that has those kinds of ratings. I think the next step is a 750/7500 rating...

Mitch

f150fella08 · #3 04-13-2010, 04:03 PM

yea i know its not rated to haul that..but ive done it before

i just dont feel safe pulling it with the bumper..id feel safer at #10,000

so should i look at a class 4? 750/7500?

MitchF150 · #4 04-13-2010, 04:16 PM

I would if you aren't going to use a WD setup.

It's not like a Class 3 is going to break if it's overloaded a couple of times either, but anything can happen over time...

I'd get the highest rated 'dead weight' rated hitch I could find that would fit my truck if that's what you need to haul..

Realistically, I'd want to use a WD setup for an F150 when you start getting up into those weights however... Now, moving it across a lot or whatever, no problem, but if you are taking it out on the open road, that's different...

Even my little TT with only about a #650 tongue weight and #5000 total weight feels funny without the WD on it and going down the road with it..

Mitch

f150fella08 · #5 04-13-2010, 04:28 PM

yea well i dont want it to break, id rather play it safe and have to install a hitch once..so would you go with a class 5? arent those about 400 bucks

MitchF150 · #6 04-13-2010, 04:58 PM

They probably don't make a Class 5 hitch to fit an F150 anyway?? But, yes, they would probably be a lot more $$ even if they did....

I know that a hitch company called "Brophy" has one for the F150 that has the 750/7500 dead weight rating on it and it was only around $200. I saw it a a GI Joes several years ago and thought about getting one for myself, but decided my factory hitch would be enough for what I needed it to do.. GI Joes isn't around anymore, but maybe you can still find that hitch maker? It was still only a 'class 3' hitch if I recall.. It just had the higher dead weight ratings..

Mitch

f150fella08 · #7 04-13-2010, 05:26 PM

http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitc...icleid=2002983

what about that..says class IV and V...towing #10,000 and WD #12,000

MitchF150 · #8 04-13-2010, 06:28 PM

Well that looks like it's your ticket then!

Mitch

f150fella08 · #9 04-13-2010, 09:01 PM

alright!! now i needa get drunk and hit the order button!!! damn thats expensive!!!!

APT · #10 04-14-2010, 08:16 AM

Anything wrong with just using a weight distributing system and a $100 class 3/4 hitch? It will provide a better towing experience than 750-1000 pounds that far back from the rear axle.

Colorado Osprey · #11 04-14-2010, 09:48 AM

Curt also makes a Class IV with a Class V endorcement.

12,000#'s no WD bars, 14,000#'s w/ WD bars.
Part Number #15003
No drilling required unlike the Draw Tite mentioned above.

http://www.autoanything.com/towing/77A3874A3068204.aspx
$234

etrailer is good on pricing on some items, a little expensive on other.... Their hitches are priced a little high.