You want to avoid this....Broken hitch!!!
#21
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ouch!!!! I just installed a Putnam classV 16K hitch on my truck. This scares me. I'll check mine to see if it the new style ( I bought it new on e-bay). Maybe I'll put the stock Ford class III back on... Just kidding. Mike
#22
Charter Member #232
Charter Member
Man Tank you are one lucky SOB. Looks like your frame is bent also at the mounting points. May want to take a look at that. With flexing metal like that it will rust prematurely so that could be old or new damage. Next time buy a Ford and you will not have to deal with suck silly under rated crap Oh ya I bet the hitch says MADE IN CHINA on it
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#24
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This summer I was towing our ski boat with a 3/4 ton gmc and hit a bump and then heard the dreaded dragging sound. Completely sheared one side and held by about 1" of metal on the other. Luckily I was on a side road traveling about 15 mph and I was only towing 3500# and not 7000#.
#26
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I was turning a corner towing an 863 Bobcat and planer when my 10k lb solid shank ball mount snapped clean off right across the bend just foreward of the ball. I think my azz sucked up half the leather on the seat when it happened.
#29
Registered User
Anything over 10K# is too much for a ball mount and a bolt-on frame hitch. I've seen way too many of them break or come off in one way or another. When I pulled with a pickup, I had the hitch made to my specs. It was 1/2" plate, continuously-welded to the side of the frame. I have never, nor would I tow with a ball over 10K. Pintles may clunk but I've never seen a broken one.
#30
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I'm curious.. if thats a class 5 hitch, how are there only 3 mounting bolts per side?
All of the class v hitches I have seen have had 5, sometimes 4 per side, and look a hell of a lot beefier than that.
Good thing you caught it in time!
EDIT: I took another look at the pictures, I do see the 5 bolts.
All of the class v hitches I have seen have had 5, sometimes 4 per side, and look a hell of a lot beefier than that.
Good thing you caught it in time!
EDIT: I took another look at the pictures, I do see the 5 bolts.