You'll be fine. Note I'm sure they are very conservative when they post their weight ratings.

Well this sucks my Tahoe says 7600 WD and I only have a regular HD ball hitch on a factory heavy duty tow package which means my 4200lbs boat and 1400lbs of trailer are over the WC of 5000, looks like I might have to buy a new WD hitch. I think I might go hit the weight scales and see where the numbers land.

I have a 2000 F250 with the "towing package" I use to tow my 357 Formula (about 12,000#s with trailer). The stock receiver set up is rated at 5000#s trailer weight and 500# tongue. I just don't see why Ford would include a 5000# hitch with the tow package on a truck that is rated to tow 12,000#s.

Since reading this I now think that I should do something about it. (I've towed my boat over 3000 miles with this hitch so far.)

So, what is the best option? Do I use the existing receiver and buy the weight distribution system. Or, should I replace it with a whole new hitch?

With a Weight Distributing set up on your existing hitch you will still be under rated. Your rating will probably be around 10k. Obviously less then the boat weighs. Just purchase a Class 5 hitch and then do the Weight Distribution system.

Buck

Well I don't know about the insurance loophole, never checked, but if the DOT stops you and you are over weight, you ain't moving. And they go by the total capacity of the trailer on the I.D. plate, not how much weight you're actually towing.

I've been towing 15,000+ #'s for years on a SURE PULL class V hitch with an adjustable tri-ball ball mount and never had a problem. You MUST check you're equipment regularly though.

Robert

Just traded in my 99 GMC 3500 7.4 with a titan class V for a new Chevy 2500HD 8.1/Allison Transmission.
I asked the salesman about a weight distributing hitch for the new truck and all I got was a look of total confusion:confused:
I will check with a local trailer place on monday and see what they can do for me.
Man does this truck got some balls!

Cordell

Just my two cents, but if you are going to tow anything over 9500 lbs you will need a 2500 or F250 as a minimum complete with a class 5 weight distribution hitch. I tow a 1982 formula 302 and just this year put a Chevy c3500 1 ton on the road to tow this because anything less might create issues with the insurance company. Remember an eight thousand pound boat and two thousand pound trailer will weight in about eleven thousand pounds plus by the time you add 150 gallons of fuel accessories and booze. better safe than sorry.

Rick G.

I'm going to call my Ins. Co. (USAA) tomorrow and try to talk to someone that can give me a competent answer as to whether my truck can be officially upgraded so that I'm covered if something were to happen. If it's not possible or there is any question about coverage, I'm going to buy something that is sufficient.;) :D :cool:

It's not a risk that I'm willing to take!!

I'll post tomorrow what they say.

Craig

some of you guys that were wondering about the excursion being able to handle it. well it may not be rated for it but i hauled my boat that weighs well over 15,000 lbs with my excursion and i never had any problems with it. but i burnt up 4 trans in my f350 trying to haul it. the insurace company told me that the ford f350 dually was not rated high enough but they would cover it behind a dodge 3500 so that is what i bought. kinda makes you think the insurance agent has stock in dodge.

Re: Are you towing with the proper equipment?
 

Bigger is always better

Mercedes Truck 440 HP 10000 cubic inch Diesel

18000 pounds of boat on this trailer possible