Has anyone put an aftermarket Class IV or V hitch on their F150? Does is leave room for the spare tire? What brand, where did you get it, how much $$?

Thanks.

 

My husband has a class V on his F350. That thing is a lot more heavy duty than the class III I have on my F150. It's a company truck and as far as I know, was ordered from Ford with the hitch on. That class V is way more hitch than I need for what I pull with my truck.

------------------
97F150 XLT SC 4x4 Flairside 4.6 V8 5sp Dk Toreador Red, 3.55LS
ARE tonneau cover, p255/70rx16 tires (came w/235), Superchip
Pioneer CD w/4 Polk Speakers & Clarion APA5240amp, skid plates
bed liner, side window deflectors, reese hitch, K&N air filter
40s-2chamber Flowmaster, Bosch +4 spark plugs, rustproofing
Better Built Stainless nerf bars

 

The Class V hitch is capable of towing way more that a F-350 can handle The purpose of the Class V hitch is to extend the hitch point far enough behind the rear bumper to allow the truck to carry a large camper and still have towing capabilities.
Both the large camper and Class V hitch is beyond the F-150's capabilities.
Save your $$$$ and get a hitch that will handle what your truck is capable of handling.
'Tis far better to have the "weak link" be your hitch rather than your truck. Overloading is dangerous to everyone that shares the roads with you - please be considerate of others and avoid overloading.
Thank you.

------------------
1999 F-250 XLT Super Duty Crew Cab Long Bed
V-10, Automatic 4R100, 4.30 Limited Slip.
GVW = 6700# Towing Capacity = 13,300#
4 Wheel ABS disks + Reese 15K hitch
Dark Hunter Green. Ford Running Boards.
Grey Rhino-Liner. Captain's Chairs. CD+Tape
Polished Stainless Steel Wheel-well Molding http://members.home.net/jchartier/jnctrk.html

 

J-C,

I understand your point about overloading being bad. However, the class III receiver that came with my 99 5.4 has a big sticker on it that states MAX CAPACITY = 6000lbs (with weight distributing hitch). But the truck is capable of pulling 8300lbs!! Seems like a 7000 or 8000lb trailer would be VERY BAD for this hitch! That is why I think a class IV hitch might be better.

 

I have a Hidden-Hitch, class IV rated frame mount hitch. It used existing holes in the frame, hardware included. It cleared the spare tire well. All for $90 new! Excellent product all around, super easy install...

------------------
1999 F-150 WS 4.2 5-speed, reg. cab, short bed, Sport Grill, Pioneer DEH-P4000 CD, Rockford's 5 1/4 in the corners, Tinted windows, more to come....

 

I too have a Hidden Hitch. Got it for around$95-100 from JC Whitney. Very nice install, no problem with spare.

------------------
'97 F-150, 2WD, 8'bed, 4.2L,5-spd, 3.55 axle, Pendaliner, D. plate toolbox & mud flaps, K&N filter, 3" air box mod,slotted taillight covers, Ventvisors, bug deflector, Westin nerf bars, champion truck plugs, towing pkg, 2000# helper springs, Whelen Responder 2 light bar, 100Watt Street Thunder Siren and speaker, headlight flasher, Rancho RS5000 shocks