Ask the Hitch Guys SWFAQ

Ask the Hitch Guys SWFAQ

(SOME WHAT FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS)

Towing Capacity

Name: Lawrence

Vehicle: Dodge Ram 

Hitch Guys,

I have a Dodge Ram with a Hemi.  Is it capable of towing 5000lbs?

Lawrence,

Your vehicle is powerful enough and should definitely be able to tow 5000lbs.  The only thing that you will need is a hitch that is rated to tow that much.  I would suggest a class IV or greater.  There are some exceptions however.  Your vehicles frame has to be in good shape (not rusted through) as well as the suspension.  ALWAYS CHECK YOUR OWNERS MANUAL OR WITH VEHICLE MANUFACTURER FOR VEHICLE SPECIFIC TOWING RATINGS.  Click here to view the definition of tow ratings.

Name: Winston

Vehicle: 02 F-150

Hitch Guys,

I have a 2002 F-150 Harley Davidson edition, what class hitch do I need to tow another truck? Such as a F-150 or F-350. 

Winston,

The curb weight of an F-350 can weigh anywhere between 6,200 and 8,000lbs.  This is just the weight of the vehicle.  It does not include the weight of a trailer or dolly.  You will at least need a class IV hitch to tow this much weight.  CURT Mfg offers both a class IV (part# 14335) and class V (part# 15003).

Name: Von

Vehicle: 07 Tahoe

Hitch Guys,

I'm trying to determine what would be the maximum weight of travel trailer we could safely tow.  I have an 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe 1500 2WD 5300 V8 with a 3.42 axle ratio.  The vehicle has a locking differential and Weight Distribution hitch.  The factory hitch on my vehicle states GTW-5000lbs­ and TW-600lbs.  When used with weight distribution its 10,000lbs-GTW and 1000lbs-TW. Your thoughts?

Von,

After researching your vehicle I have found that the maximum tow capacity of your vehicle is 7500lbs.  Please keep in mind that this is the maximum weight that the manufacturer states the your vehicle can safely tow and stop.  Even though the hitch is capable of 10,000 lbs when using a Weight Distribution system, you can not exceed the manufacturers tow capacity of 7500lbs.

Reflection

When it comes towing capacity, knowing what your towing is key.  Many times people don't take into account that they also need to add the weight of what they are carrying.  For instance, when the owners manual of your camper trailer states that it weighs 6,000lbs.  It is important to keep in mind that this is the dry weight.  You will also need to add the weight of what you pack into the trailer such as; full propane tanks, water(fresh, grey, and black), camping equiment, batteries, etc.  These items add up fast and any time that you exceed your vehicle or hitch weight rating, you are endangering the lives of yourself, your family, and anyone traveling the same highways and byways. 

ALWAYS CHECK YOUR OWNERS MANUAL OR WITH VEHICLE MANUFACTURER FOR VEHICLE SPECIFIC TOWING RATINGS.  These are the only two sources that you can trust.  I've spent a lot of time searching the internet for tow ratings and have found a lot of conflicting information.  Just because you can put a class V hitch on a Go-Kart, that doesn't mean you can tow a horse trailer.    With fuel prices soaring and the clutch of the economy slipping, more and more people are purchasing smaller more fuel efficient vehicles.  Many of which are not suited for pulling the family camper.  It seems the further we are pushed to our limits; the further we are willing to push our luck, and some of us just aren't that lucky.