HavasuCat

I just checked the hitch on my f-250 and sure as s@#t it says 5000# load bearing. The sticker on the hitch is placed where you can't even see it unless you halfway crawl under the truck. When I orderd the truck I was told I was good for 10,000# on the hitch, I guess not. This pisses me off.

Intolerant1

Yup, and "tow package" costs extra on some of these. 5000 pounds isnt much boat when you figure in trailer, fuel, wifes stuff, etc.

HavasuCat

Yep, you buy a truck with a diesel made for towing and they put a piece of crap hitch on it? It does not make any sense to me. Maybe that is why I saw the aftermarket hitches in the showroom when I bought the truck.

rbtnt

I have bought a couple of Drawtite hitches for my f250s and they are rated at 10K without load levelers and have a 2" receiver.

h2owarrior

I use the Reese Titan. It is a true class V hitch. DrawTite has a real nice class IV called an Ultra. I have had both on F350's and no problems. I installed both myself. It takes very little time as there is no drilling or welding for either. The toughest part is raising the hitch to the truck to get the first bolt started. I used a floor jack. Entire job took 30 minuttes.

The V-5 on the hitches identifies that the hitch has passed the industry specified test procedure for the given rating. If a hitch does not have the V-5 on the rating plate the hitch may not have passed the same tests as those that do carry it. Being an engineer I would be leary of a hitch that did not carry the V-5 marking.

Intolerant1

This really does not make alot of sense though. You would think that Ford would be opening themselves to whole world of liabilty issues by selling trucks rated to tow more than the factory hitch is capable of handleing. Even my last F150 was rated at 7200 pounds which is more than the hitch. My 250 is rated at 10,500 I believe. I wonder if there isnt a little reverse "CYA" going on...the sticker on the hitch is there in case you have a problem they can blame it on you. I would like to hear from a Ford dealer on this issue. There has to be one around this board. How does GM and Dodge stack up on this issue?

Semper Fi

I own a '99 PSD diesel (and I LOVE it!!) and I know from dealing with Ford that not everything is so obvious. I guess like Troutly said, you have to read the fine print. I can tell you that this hitch has held up to 17,000#'s before By the way, TROUTLY, you are just a plethera of info, I enjoy all your posts,l ater
Gerard

Audiofn

Troutly I want to see the picture of you with 6 200 pound guys in your car!!!!!

Cignificant

So, I guess this thread has pretty much killed my chances of selling this Ford hitch, huh?

Kentz

Not just Fords. Friends 98 Dodge 2500 v-10. He did not believe me until he crawled underneath to look - 500/5000. O'yeah, this is after two years of hauling his 10,000# boat all over the midwest. Now why can you purchase a 2-5/16" ball (rated @ 7500#) with a 1" shank that fits all 2" receivers???

This has more to do with liability and lawyers than engineering and metalurgy.