Point taken on the liability issues. The trailer is only used here on my farm. Just hauling tractors and equipment from one farm to the other. The trailer wasn't purchased for long hauls with my truck. The trailer dealer I bought it from said my hitch would be fine I just needed to upgrade to a heavier receiver for a 2 1/2" ball. Hence the question for adding some structural strength to the hitch for the added weight.
If I was hauling long distances all the time and not just short trips a few times a year then I could see spending the money for a new hitch. Gross trailer weight shouldn't be much over 12,000 with what I haul. Thanks for all the competent posts! The trailer was bought at Tc trailers out of Frankfort, In. Call them up and see what they recommend for a hitch! That's what threw me on the hitch requirements.
Some salesmen will say anything to make a sale.
A 2 1/2 ball mount is class 5.
How much does the empty trailer weigh?
My 14K metal deck gooseneck weighs 5150 pounds, leaving 8850 pounds to total 14K gross trailer weight (GTW).
From Reese hitch.
Class IV
Class IV hitches are weight carrying (WC) and weight distributing (WD) hitches depending on the vehicle and hitch specifications.
Not all Class IV hitches are rated to be both. See the specific hitch for that information.
Class IV hitches used as weight carrying are rated up to 10,000 lbs. gross trailer weight (GTW) with a maximum trailer tongue weight (TW) of 1000 lbs.
Class IV hitches used for weight distributing are rated up to 14,000 lbs. gross trailer weight (GTW) with a maximum trailer tongue weight (TW) of 1400 lbs.
A Class IV hitch usually has a 2" square receiver opening.
A higher class drawbar does not increase the towing capacity of the hitch. To use this class of hitch for weight distribution requires a weight distribution system.
Class IV hitches attach to the vehicle frame only.
Class V
Class V hitches are weight carrying (WC) and weight distributing (WD) hitches depending on the vehicle and hitch specifications.
Class V hitches used as weight carrying are rated up to 12,000 lbs. gross trailer weight (GTW) with a maximum trailer tongue weight (TW) of 1200 lbs.
Class V hitches used for weight distributing are rated up to 17,000 lbs. gross trailer weight (GTW) with a maximum trailer tongue weight (TW) of 1700 lbs.
Your ball mount and hitch ball need to both be rated for Class V to safely tow these weight loads. To use this class of hitch for weight distribution requires a weight distribution system.
A Class V hitch has a 2-1/2" square receiver opening.
Class V hitches attach to the vehicle frame only.