School me on hitches

[snocohunter]

So when I bought my truck, 2004 dodge ram 2500 CTD, it didn't come with a drop hitch. Just the receiver. I wanna tow my little 12' boat this weekend, and eventually a travel trailer, and bigger boat. I just don't know what to buy. I know I can buy a. Run of the mill Reese like I see everywhere but I would rather spend the extra money if it is worth it. Ay help is appreciated.

[Skillet]

you got a 3/4 ton, make it count.  I just put a Curt hitch on my Ford, couldn't be happier.  Got it off of etrailer.com with free shipping to my door.  1/2 hour bolt-in install with air tools.

[Skillet]

ah, never mind.  Just relaized you're not asking about the reciever...

Look at the sticker on your receiver - should show max towing w/o weight distributing hitch.  Match that up to the hitch you buy and you're good to go.  Thankfully, even the cheaper stuff is good stuff with those.  Half of what I tow gets pulled with a 4-way I bought from Harbor Freight.  Got a lot of hard miles on it so far, works like a champ.

[MtnMuley]

Personally, I'd go with the Reese.  For what you're and will be towing, I don't see the need to spend a bunch of money on a hitch.  I've got a couple high end ones, and don't see any real benefit except looks -- unless you're really putting a load behind it or used numerous sized balls.  Even with changing out balls, they are cheap and easy to install/uninstall.

[snocohunter]

Indefinitely plan on a weight distribution setup at some point with a trailer I think. I think I'll get something basic for now.

[Bofire]

You might look at an adjustable ball height unit. as youare looking at several tow options.
Carl

[Mike450r]

Put on a lot of hitches as a young man and Draw-Tite hitches were always the best made, best fit, best warranty.  This was in the 80's but I presume it is still the same.

[MtnMuley]

You might look at an adjustable ball height unit. as youare looking at several tow options.
Carl

Good point.  With a 2" drop stinger you can turn it over to gain if need be. 

[snocohunter]

what's the best option for an adjustable hitch? I've seen the aluminum ones that have the notches for adjustment. The stock receiver hitch is a 2" receiver, but i didn't see a capacity stamped anywhere. I'm sure it's in the owners manual somewhere though. The stems i looked at today at O'Rileys in the 2" diameter only went as high as 6000lb trailer weight and i don't remember the  tongue weight. I'm guessing that most bigger boats probably weigh more than that. Would that mean i'd have to upgrade to a Class 5 hitch? Those stems showed up to 13000 lb trailer weight and 1300lb tongue weight i think. As far as travel trailers, i don't think many tip in over that, after that i'm thinking a 5th wheel would be in order.

[Skillet]

http://dodgeforum.com/forum/dodge-cummins-diesel/134688-what-is-hitch-rated-at-on-2004-ram-2500-a.html

I got this off the internet, so it must be true-


"The Class IV factory installed receiver hitch installed on a 2004.5 Dodge 2500 Ram pickup (as part of Trailer Tow Group Option AHC) is rated for a tongue weight of 350 pounds and a trailer weight of 3500 pounds when NOT USING a weight distributing hitch, and is rated for a tongue weight of 1200 pounds and a trailer weight of 12,000 pounds when USING a weight distributing hitch."

If this is the same model as your truck, I'd upgrade the receiver right away if I were you.  I'm sure these ratings are very conservative to prevent idiots from doing idiotic things, but the stock hitch on my Ford was 600# tongue and 6000# tow.  My new Curt receiver is 1250 tongue and 12500 tow, non weight distributing.

[snocohunter]

Hmm, i wonder what my buddies trailer weighs. Supposed to haul it east for watershed in august. Don't really want to spend hundreds on a bigger hitch but it's an option i suppose. or just a good WD setup.

Also found this, which states a different weight on the class IV

http://www.dodge.com/towing/D/vehicle_2_weight_results.jsp?franchise=D&year=4&familyMarket=U&familyDivision=T&vehicleFamily=RAM_2500_3500&model=2500+SLT&bdy_style=U%255ET%255ERAM_2500_3500%255E4%255E2500+SLT%255EQUAD+CAB%255E2WD&bed_wheel=U%255ET%255ERAM_2500_3500%255E4%255E2500+SLT%255EQUAD+CAB%255E2WD%255E6.25+FT+Bed&engine_trans=U%255ET%255ERAM_2500_3500%255E4%255E2500+SLT%255EQUAD+CAB%255E2WD%255E6.25+FT+Bed%255E5.9L+Cummins+Turbo+Diesel+Engine+-+610+lb-ft%255E4-Speed+Automatic+Transmission

[FC]

A run of the mill Reese or drawtite is pretty tough to beat for most applications, if you are going to be dipping a boat trailer in salt water a lot stainless steel is nice but not necessary. Make sure you do use a locking pin for receiver and trailer or they might grow legs. 

[Skillet]

From your link in the fine print:


"While it's not listed in the charts, tongue weight is also an important consideration. The recommended tongue weight is between 10 & 15% of the trailer weight. However, the maximum tongue weight on Class III (The bumper ball) is limited to 500 lbs, and Class IV (The receiver hitch) to 1200 lbs.This requirement overrides any recommended GTW rating, between 10% and 15% of gross trailer weight (GTW). Additionally, the GAWRs and GVWRs should never be exceeded."

There are many different ratings of 2" receiver hitches.  Like I mentioned, my stock Ford with the tow package came with a 6000/600 (gross trailer/tongue) hitch, non-load distributing hitch rating.  I've pulled much, much more than that before I upgraded my hitch and never had a problem.  Hitch looked fine when I took it off - only reason I switched is because a rental place wouldn't rent to me unless I had the right sticker on my hitch.  That said, the one I just put on is a beefy SOB - made my stock receiver look a little wimpy.  Honestly, I wouldn't worry too much about it unless you are really pulling some serious weight or have a high tongue weight.   Just keep an eye on your pin hole to make sure it's not getting oblong, and check the bottom corners of your receiver for cracks every once in a while.   And don't get in a wreck with a 10,000# trailer hooked to a 6000# hitch.