Upgrade to Class IV hitch?

[BRICH1260]

It just hit me that my trucks (`05 Silverado 1500 with tow package) hitch may not be rated for the boat that I pull. Been towing my boat, about 6-6,500 lbs including trailer for the last 3 years, without any problems , with the factory Class III, 5k rated, hitch that came with the truck. So far I have had no issues but should I immediately upgrade the hitch to a Class IV? What is the basic difference between the two? What is a good brand and/or vendor?

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Upgrade to Class IV hitch?

The rating i think changes if you use a weight distribution hitch. I think it's written on the sticker.That rating might be the bumper tow rating not the hitch Does it still attach to the bumper with two bolt under two round plugs.It's been a few years since my last Chevy ( 05 Z71 5.3 ). Can't remember the ratings for sure. How much and how far do you tow the boat to justify another hitch? That would be my first question. It's only 1000-1500 diff but,:facepalm::facepalm: (now comes the bashing) yes i know it's over stated limit

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Upgrade to Class IV hitch?

plain and simple you are (no matter what hitch you have) betting lives that the trailer will stay attached to the truck at highway speeds.... If a correctly rated hitch fails it is the manufacturer's fault... if an under rated hitch fails it is your fault.

You already know the correct answer but you are just hoping someone will give you a reason to save money

My vote... get the correct hitch before towing one more foot.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Upgrade to Class IV hitch?

+1 the hitch is too small.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Upgrade to Class IV hitch?

Maybe he should just buy a bigger truck. The one he has now,(truck) the weight (boat and gear) is to much for it technically. Now what happens (under your theories) if he has a accident? I think the hitch is rated at 10000lbs with a weight distribution hitch.

 

[emilsr]

Re: Upgrade to Class IV hitch?

You'd probably be okay with your current hitch, but Curt makes a Class V that'll fit your truck. Overkill can sometimes be a good thing.

Trailer Hitch for 2005 Chevrolet Silverado - Curt C15322

 

[carey965]

Re: Upgrade to Class IV hitch?

thats not a bad price either, my dad just paid around that for his class 3 on his ford

but properly equipped that truck can handle that no problem, just get the new hitch for peace of mind

does anyone know what the actual difference is between a class 3,4 or 5 hitch seeing is they all still use a 2in receiver and similar materials

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Upgrade to Class IV hitch?

MY 05 came with a class IV. But it is a VR4 weight distributing hitch.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Upgrade to Class IV hitch?

plain and simple you are (no matter what hitch you have) betting lives that the trailer will stay attached to the truck at highway speeds.... If a correctly rated hitch fails it is the manufacturer's fault... if an under rated hitch fails it is your fault.

You already know the correct answer but you are just hoping someone will give you a reason to save money

My vote... get the correct hitch before towing one more foot.

My vote is the same.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Upgrade to Class IV hitch?

Maybe he should just buy a bigger truck. The one he has now,(truck) the weight (boat and gear) is to much for it technically. Now what happens (under your theories) if he has a accident? I think the hitch is rated at 10000lbs with a weight distribution hitch.

6000# is too much for well equipped (tow package) 1/2 ton?? Its true, iboats will recommend you tow a tinny with a duelly diesel!

Maybe its just me, but I've grown up towing things, far, far heavier things than the vast majority of the people on this board. Zero accidents/incidents. 99.9% of towing has absolutely nothing to do with the tow vehicle. Someone inexperienced behind the wheel of above duelly diesel is far more dangerous than the guy with an extremely overloaded f150.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Upgrade to Class IV hitch?

6000# is too much for well equipped (tow package) 1/2 ton?? Its true, iboats will recommend you tow a tinny with a duelly diesel!

Maybe its just me, but I've grown up towing things, far, far heavier things than the vast majority of the people on this board. Zero accidents/incidents. 99.9% of towing has absolutely nothing to do with the tow vehicle. Someone inexperienced behind the wheel of above duelly diesel is far more dangerous than the guy with an extremely overloaded f150.

Agree 100%. I used to haul oversize loads and still do with my Tundra :lol::lol: 12700 lb boat. That's why i don't think there is a need for him to go to a bigger hitch when the tow cap. of the truck is what he is towing.
Heck, the hitch on my truck came from the factory with a 14000 lb rated hitch on it.Now we know the truck can't tow that. Legally.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Upgrade to Class IV hitch?

I don't think anyone's previous towing experience makes it responsible to exceed the rated capacity of a hitch

I once hauled 200,000 lbs on a lowboy trailer rated for 120,000 lbs behind a 4 axle mack R model.... does that make it ok? of course not Was I in the wrong? absolutely! (I had 4 escort trucks with flags and strobe lights and never exceeded 20 mph btw)... fact is a class IV hitch can be purchased for about the cost a full tank of gas for the boat and is the proper equipment for his boat.

I have looked at thousands of posts on here and never once seen ANYONE seriously recommend towing a small tinny with a dually. Tho I've seen dozens of posts claiming such nonsense.

I HAVE seen the aftermath first hand of a factory class III hitch that cracked, broke, and allowed a 25' trailer to part ways with the towing vehicle... It destroyed a parked conversion van... thankfully.... had it hit an occupied vehicle people likely would have died.... Sure I've also seen many overloaded hitches that didn't break... I have an foolish friend who says he played Russian roulette 3 times too but that doesn't mean I'm going to start recommending it.

 

[matt167]

Re: Upgrade to Class IV hitch?

The factory hitches that GM used in those years are made of tin foil and bubble gum, and have dumped many trailers on the ground hauling less than the trucks capacity

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Upgrade to Class IV hitch?

Like a lot of things it often depends on several issues, If you read the option codes it tells you, ford is especially bad to make you think a trucks rating are high when their not but then all of them are bad for that sort of thing and the OP is aware of it and asking questions. That is a very good start.

 

[BRICH1260]

Re: Upgrade to Class IV hitch?

Yea, I know its one of those things that I need to schedule to get upgraded. I guess I was just more surprised that the hitch sold with the truck does not come anywhere near the towing capacity of the truck, 7500 lbs. How much more could it have cost GM to put a Class IV hitch on it at the factory, especially when you purchase the "tow package" option.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Upgrade to Class IV hitch?

Yea, I know its one of those things that I need to schedule to get upgraded. I guess I was just more surprised that the hitch sold with the truck does not come anywhere near the towing capacity of the truck, 7500 lbs. How much more could it have cost GM to put a Class IV hitch on it at the factory, especially when you purchase the "tow package" option.

They are not always put on at the factory. Sometimes the dealership does it.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Upgrade to Class IV hitch?

Exactly what truck do you have a 05, Z71, 5.3 is rated for 9500

 

[BRICH1260]

Re: Upgrade to Class IV hitch?

Exactly what truck do you have a 05, Z71, 5.3 is rated for 9500

Thats the one. Crew cab 4x4 if that makes a difference. Ordered a Curt class 4 today. Surprised to find that most of the hitches offered do not come with the mounting bracket for the electrical plug. My current hitch one has one welded to the hitch.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Upgrade to Class IV hitch?

You have ever thing you all ready need. Then it should be rated to tow 9500 pounds with this as the factory towing package, Take a close look at the ball and hitch part you can get that in a class 3 or class 4, the difference is both will slide right into a class 4 receiver, a class 3 has a smaller shank and a limit of 5000 and a class 4 is rated at 12,000 LBS

VR4 TRAILER HITCH(WEIGHT DISTRIBUTING PLATFORM) EQLZR HITCH(VR4)
Z82 TRAILERING PACKAGE(SPECIAL)(REESE TYPE HITCH) PROVISION FOR HD TRAILER EQUIP(Z82)
JF7 BRAKE VAC POWER, 17" DISC/DRUM, W/RWAL, 6,400 LBS 6,400 LB VAC PWR BRK(JF7)
KNP COOLING SYSTEM,TRANSMISSION,HEAVY DUTY HVY DUTY TRANS CLG SYS(KNP)

 

[frantically relaxing]

Re: Upgrade to Class IV hitch?

Just my opinion, but if a hitch cracks and breaks, it's probably not because of the trailer, but more likely it wasn't built right. Most class III hitches could probably dead lift 50,000 pounds all day without issue. IF it was built right.

And as for hitch class weight ratings, there is no "set" rating.

From AZ Truck Accessories website:

And just who determines the ratings anyway? Are they set in line with 'actual use' or more towards avoiding litigation?

(methinks the latter...)