Highbeam
Super Member
Perhaps I'm being paranoid... but I'd like an opinion on trailer hitch capacities.
I have a '97 Chevy C2500 diesel and need to pull about 5500# of tactor and implements. My trailer is a 20' x 83" PJ tandum axle with brakes on both axles. I don't know how much the trailer weighs. But - the hitch on my truck is a Class III 5000# with a 2 5/16" 5000# capacity ball.
I'm wondering if it's a hazard to pull with that hitch? Or is it really necessary to buy a Class IV or Class V hitch. Just how critical are the hitch ratings?
Your advice please. Thanks.
You're a hazard if you don't do something different. So first off, the standard class 3 hitch like your GM has is rated for 500# tongue weight/5000# trailer weight AND 1000# tongue weight/10,000# trailer weight WITH a Weight Distribution Hitch (WDH). You seem to want to skip the WDH and just pull the thing with a typical ball attached to a stinger and shoved into the receiver. If so, you are going to overload the hitch, the stinger, and the ball.
If you pony up and buy the WDH ( I recommend and use the one rated for 10,000) and use a 10,000# ball then you will be legal and have a pleasant towing experience due to all of the WDH's benefits.
Swapping out hitches to a stouter hitch that allows the 10,000 lb load all on the ball with no WDH doesn't get you there. You still need to get a 10,000# stinger and ball. You will be able to carry the load legally but you may get porpoising and a light front end with all of that weight on the ball.
My PJ trailer is a 10k rated one (see a trend here) and weighs 2500#s empty with 250# of tongue weight. It was built very well.
My old tow truck was a 98 Chevy K1500 with the big OEM hitch. I had no issues at all with rust. Could it be that DiamondPilot's experiences involved hitches used in salt water launching boats? I towed the snot out of that truck and finally sold it after 178000 miles for a one ton ford. The hitch is no stronger on the one ton, same ratings and I use the same WDH.