Okay, now I'll show my lack of experience on the subject of hitches. I'm considering upgrading the hitch immediately to avoid having to use weight distributing receivers to carry more than 7500 lbs. Of course as I start to explain the $300 to my wife she asks, "Isn't weight distributing better for heavy loads?" Hmm...well, there does seem to be a point there.

So, those of you that tow more than 7500, do you use weight distributing receivers? Upgraded to a Class IV? Ignore it and just pull with what came with the truck?

Thanks

Just use the hitch it came with and use a heavy duty dist rec.Edited by: dwrat

I use weight bar, tows a lot better. Currently towing 10k plus

I sure wouldn't pull with the bumper as dwrat suggests.


I would however just keep using the factory hitch and not worry about weight distributing. How much more then 7500lbs are you going to carry?

i use weight distibuting for my toy hauler, about 10k loaded im guessing

I too was nervous about the wimpy looking stock hitch but has worked fine to tow my 30 ft bumper pull Toyhauler w/distribution hitch ! No problems so far.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

I pull 13-15,000 quite a bit and was concerned about the strength of the factory hitch too.


But after the workout the pullers at Muncie put on them, I don't worry about them anymore.


I run a 2" solid D-2 tool steel hitch in mine, the welded tubes are junk.


I also run a lot of tongue weight, tows better.

The factory hitches have held up pretty well, I have, along with many others have been pulling with them. I have broken a reciever but not the factory hitch.

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Confused.gif Too many variables for a simple yes or no answer. I err to the side of caution when giving out towing advice. I have towed heavy for the past 20+ years and while I don't consider myself an expert by any stretch I have picked up a few tidbits along the way.


I suggest you contact a reputable trailer dealer, hauling company, or other qualified personnel (not a salesman) and let them see your truck and the trailer, and you explain to them what your useage requirements are, i.e. what you will tow, weights(truck and trailer), how far, where to/from, etc. Based upon the info you provide they can provide you with an authoritative opinion and options for safe towing.


While it is unlikely you will have too much tongue weight for a 2500 with a 7500lb trailer, it is possible. Depending upon the location of the trailer axles coupled with what you are hauling you could have 1000+-lbs on the tongue and the rest over and to the rear of the trailer axles. Depending upon the load you already have in the truck (people/fuel/tool-fuel box(s)/misc. crap, etc.) you may come close to or exceed the GVWR load rating for the vehicle (I believe somewhere around 9900 lbs). Don't forget these beasts already weigh in around 7k lbs. Most people are surprised at how fast the weight adds up. You can verify the weight of the truck by getting it weighed at a truck stop with everything/everyone in the truck with a full tank of fuel. You will want axle loads as well.


Personally I like the versatility of weight distributing hitches. They allow you to distribute the weight of the trailer to the front/rear truck axles and trailer axles as needed depending upon the load you are carrying. There may be times when you may not need it, especially with a lighter tongue weight and minimal cargo/people in the truck. These trucks do like some weight on their hind ends to smooth out the ride.


However, you will normally find the combo is easier to handle with the wd hitch, especially with regard to rear end sway. You'll appreciate this more the first time a semi blows your doors off on the interestate. They suck you in on the uptake and shoot you out on the out-takehttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Confused.gif. I've actually had a travel trailer sucked into the other lane, bounce off a semi-trailer, then bounce back into my lane. Now that will put some serious tea stains in the ole shorts!


Take the time to learn how to adjust the tension bars for the amount of tongue weight you have. I've seen vehicles dragging the ground from too little tension, and I've seen them come off the ground from too much tension.


Towing a trailer takes on an added dimension, especially for handling and yours/our safety. Hope this helps. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif

I tow light ~ barely 400# of tongue wgt w/a 4000# TT. Yes, I use WD w/dual cam antisways even for this light load ~ like the arguement for the 2nd kidney ~ friends etc advised against the expense as its "not needed". On a recent 4000mile trip, the semis blew the skirting off my poor ol' TT but the rig never budged ~ if it did, it would be as a single unit. Fact is, of the hundreds to pass me, only one was felt and even then, not enuff to concern over. Very glad to have it. Good investment in your safety. Costs are not bad on the INET ~ can be much less than the local trailer shop.Edited by: ShumDit

I surely don't like how those wimpy factory light duty hitch look. There are some areas on hitch that I feel is too weak so that's why I'm going to upgrade with Drawtite heavy duty hitch with 10K rating, 12K distributed. It's a really BEEFY hitch. I feel that if I am going to tow 3-5 tons of load, I want to be as safe as possible, not taking chance.

I have been using factory hitch for 7 years and 3 trucks, w/aprox 7-8k with no problems. I use 1400 lb wd bars, and sway control. I would never tow without Weight Distribution or sway control. Go with the WD bars, and at a min friction sway control. The factory setup should be fine.


Bill