How is everyone pulling more than 5000lbs behind their F150 with a class III receiver hitch? A class III receiver is only able to pull up to 5000lbs.
I have an 04 F150 SCREW Lariat with a tow package and this toyhauler I wanted to purchase was 5100 lbs dry. The dealer told me to get a weight distribution hitch. So here is what I need answered:
How does a weight distribution hitch work?
If I had a weight distribution hitch then doesn't it slide into my class III receiver hitch AND thus my class III hitch would still be towing my 5100lbs trailer, exceeding its limit?
How is everyone pulling over 5000lbs with their F150's class III receiver?

Thanks everyone for schooling me!!!

Evan
Anchorage Alaska

 

They use a weight distributing hitch... Which WILL slide into your class III (2" which is STANDARD on Class III and IV) receiver.

 

Most Class 3 hitches are rated as follows:

500# tongue, 5000# gross
1000# tongue, 10000# gross with weight distribution

In other words, the factory hitch on your truck can haul more than the rest of the truck is rated for.

A weight distributing hitch transfers some of the load toward the front of the truck.

 

Google, my friend.

One reference

Another

Wki

 

thanks guys! Those links were perfect.
Evan

 

Here is the way I explain it to customers:
By placing a ball mount into the reciever the torque delivered to the hitch is taking the tongue weight on the rear most 2 bolts. In essence the 2 rear reciever mounting bolts are taking the trailer tongue load.

By utilizing a WD set-up the weight is not just pulled down but twisted down from front of the reciever hitch to the rear making all 6-8 mounting bolts take the weight of the trailer tongue.

 

My understanding is that the WD hitch acts like the handles of a wheel barrow to "pick up" the back of the truck. It makes a huge difference.
The sticker on the hitch tells you tongue weight/ trailer weight limits with and without the WD hitch.

 

My truck came with the factory tow package as well, but it has a class IV. Are you sure yours isn't good for 9000 lb's because I thought that's what they all came with from the factory.

 

You really should use WD if you want to tow over 5000# with a 1/2 ton truck.

 

I have a few questions about WD hitches, I hope someone can help.
If a trailer has a tongue weight of 1000 will the truck see 1000 with a WD hitch?
With a WD hitch when you crest a hill don’t the spring bars relax? Thus making it a regular hitch.

 

I just hooked it up and drove

might not have been the safest, but Ford sure got the job done

oh yah and i was lowered 3/3 while towing the trailer

 

Patman, I know that pull was some time ago, but I would have moved the car back on the trailer a little.

FWIW, I towed a trailer way over 5000 pounds and my tow rating (8-9k estimated) with just the OEM Class 3 hitch for about 16 miles. it was a risk worth taking for me at the time. If something happend, it would have been only my fault.

 

its how the trailer is designed. I would rather have a little tongue heavy trailer, then a little tail heavy.

here is another setup ive pulled (actually twice now) its my old roomates new truck and my GF's blazer

 

Ahh, the days of 3.89 gas..... sure do miss those.

 

still 3.89 here

that was actually high for then (taken about 4 weeks ago), it was 3.75 when i left town, thats right off of the interstate so its higher