Recommendations, upgrading the receiver hitch on my 2005 F-250

Wanting direct bolt in replacement ( NO DRILLING )

Did you bend a class IV?

Curt, they are priced right, take about 15 min to install and built very well. I have them on my 99 and 2000 f350's

Thanks I'll check out Curt, I cant believe how little the factory hitch is rated for, something like 5k

Edit: I found a new factory ford class 5 hitch and it is rated at 12,500 total
the Curt class 5 is rated at 17k.............so why the dig difference, I would of thought all class 5's would be the same

Planning on pulling down to the Tickfaw 200 next month?

maybe

Great. Hope you can make it.

Go with the Curt Hitch, unless you run across a Putnam. (Putnam has been out of business for a while, but some inventory still exists.)

I am willing to bet the hitch you found for sale is a "V-5" hitch, from the Ford Factory. Note this is VERY misconceiving; as the "V-5" is the NAME of the hitch, but it's actually only a Class-III hitch. I have one of those leaning against a tree in my backyard, after I upgraded.


I buy almost all of my towing accessories from www.etrailer.com, and occasionally I can find the same product spec on eBay with free shipping, which is the direction I will take.


Note, most of the aftermarket hitches show up with Grade-5 bolts. I can't explain that one. I always go to the local industrial supply and source Grade-8 hardware matching the sizes that show up with the hitch. I also put two nuts on each bolt as well.

Thanks, good info, ^^^^^ I'll leave the 5v for someone else

Also, you will also have to find another solution for your trailer hitch wiring location.
On each of my trucks, I have drilled (with a metal hole saw) to the left of the license plate, and installed one of these:
https://www.etrailer.com/Wiring/Pollak/PK11893.html


Mounting through the bumper improves your rear clearance, by moving that vulnerable part up to a protected area. When you drill through the bumper, make sure you paint the edges of your cut with POR-15 or another rust preventative. The flange of the electrical connector will cover the paint.