Class IV Hitches

[LoNeStAr]

So class IV hitches are rated for 1,000 lbs of tongue weight and 10,000 lbs of towing unless they are rated for weight distribution which increases tongue weight to 1,400 lbs and 14,000 lbs of towing. Are the class IV hitches that come on our trucks rated for weight distribution?

I ask the question because the trailer I am looking at has a dry hitch weight of 825 lbs and dry weight of 6,240 lbs. The trailer GVWR is 8,800 lbs but with wife and I fully loaded will be around 7,300. A weight distribution hitch should move a couple hundred pounds off the rear and put on front and trailer. I just want to make sure I am not over doing the tongue. My payload capacity is 1,742 and towing capacity is 8,742. Thoughts?

I found the below an interesting read.....

TOWING WITH A HALF-TON OR THREE-QUARTER-TON - RV Lifestyle Magazine

Today we debate the merits of half-ton and three-quarter-ton trucks… next time we will discuss the merits of duallies! A few years ago, I visited a dealership in the US, and as I was chatting with the service manager on the lot, a customer pulled up in a new three-quarter ton 4x4 with…

rvlifemag.com

 

[devildodge]

Your information is correct for the class of hitch. But I believe the 1500 is rated for 1000 and 10000 without and 1200 12000 with a WDH.

Anything over 500lbs or 5000 trailer it is recommended you use a WDH.

Your truck has a much better than average payload. That is a good thing.

 

[LoNeStAr]

Ok cool thanks

 

[WhattheTruck!]

The FCA PDF I was using for reference (2020 1500 Tradesman specs) states: 'The maximum tongue weight for Class IV receiver hitch is limited to 1100 lb.' I didn't see anything about an increase when utilizing a WDH, only that it was recommended over 5k.

 

[devildodge]

This is correct. Limited to 1100 lb tongue weight. Anything over 500 a WDH is recommended.

Sorry...not sure where I got the 1000 and 1200...might have been a hitch recommendation also

 

[LoNeStAr]

This is what I was going off, but I can’t find anything on my hitch stating what it’s rated for. I just want to know my hitches true capabilities.

Types of Trailer Hitches and Hitch Classes - Towing 101

There are many different types of hitches and hitch classes used for towing a trailer. In this guide, we will walk through the 5 hitch classes, comparing weight ratings, features and more. We'll also look at some other hitch types, such as 5th wheel, gooseneck and pintle.

www.curtmfg.com

 

[WhattheTruck!]

I was using this one when researching trucks -

https://s3.amazonaws.com/chryslermedia.iconicweb.com/mediasite/specs/2020_RAM_1500_TowingChartqco8qpknek3eu41cbio9sertdh.pdf

Page 7 in the fine print.

 

[LoNeStAr]

Just found this. It’s the only one listed for the 1500 DT. it says same as production hitch. Which makes sense because if you have 3.92 gears your max tow is 12,750. So do you think they use a different hitch for trucks with 3.21 gears?

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Must have weight distribution hitch to reach 1200 lbs tongue weight with class IV hitch

https://www.ramtrucks.com/BodyBuilder/service/Image?imageId=MtQrP%2FFqLY5r%2Fest8MtGjGgHzAHGUTU0WB3rWuqSY7YmQ2vEhuBWBHq1D%2BFDNq7c%0A

 

[devildodge]

I see what you are trying to do here.

If it is truly just for info...then you got your info.

But you have to remember the truck is only rated for 1100lbs of tongue weight. If you realize this then great. If not...them do not forget this.


You can put a class V hitch on...which is rated on some at 2000 and 20000....but your 1500 is still only rated at 1100lbs.

Just like when you buy the ball mount. You buy a 10000lb ball mount...but only a 7500 ball...or vise versa...it is only rated at 7500lbs.

The same if you buy a 13000lb ball mount and a 14000lb ball like i have. You 1500 is still only rated at 1100lbs...not the 1300 the ball mount is.

Hope this makes sense...and if you already knew that...stop any confusion for someone else.

 

[LoNeStAr]

I see what you are trying to do here.

If it is truly just for info...then you got your info.

But you have to remember the truck is only rated for 1100lbs of tongue weight. If you realize this then great. If not...them do not forget this.


You can put a class V hitch on...which is rated on some at 2000 and 20000....but your 1500 is still only rated at 1100lbs.

Just like when you buy the ball mount. You buy a 10000lb ball mount...but only a 7500 ball...or vise versa...it is only rated at 7500lbs.

The same if you buy a 13000lb ball mount and a 14000lb ball like i have. You 1500 is still only rated at 1100lbs...not the 1300 the ball mount is.

Hope this makes sense...and if you already knew that...stop any confusion for someone else.

No confusion on my part. There is no place on my hitch, manual or towing charts that says what my hitch is rated for. Class IV hitches are rated for 1000 lbs of tongue weight and 10000 lbs of tow weight When being used as load bearing. Using a weight distribution hitch allows for up to 1200 lbs of tongue weight. If you are using a weight distribution hitch your not going to have that much weight on the tongue because it would redistribute some of the weight.

So if the tongue dry weight of the trailer I am looking at is 825 lbs I should be fine with this class IV hitch and a weight distribution hitch.

 

[RunsWithBeer]

Don't forget to include the weight of the WDH itself in your calculations.