Need tow hitch help and recommendations..

SCMortgageMan · Jul 31, 2013

My 2013 Express did not come with a tow hitch. Rather than just installing a ball on the bumper (which I've heard really doesn't allow you to tow very much), what hitch set up should I get? Admittedly, I don't know much about them and am not sure what direction to go.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

badblackram06 · Jul 31, 2013

There should be a cross tube where a hitch should be. Curt, hidden hitch, sells a hitch to bolt up to that cross tube.

SCMortgageMan · Jul 31, 2013

Is that all I need or do I need the larger Class IV style bolt on?

Is this what you are referring to?
http://www.etrailer.com/hitch-2013_Ram_1500.htm

BAILEY1 · Jul 31, 2013

I have the curt class 5 on my 12. Love it. I feel better towing with it than the other "hidden hitch" they have for these trucks.

badblackram06 · Jul 31, 2013

Yes that is it. If you plan on towing more than 6,000 pounds then you may need to go with the class 4 hitch.

Also you may need to consider trailer wiring. I have not looked at the newer Rams but all the older Rams came with a 4 prong trailer light connection behind the bumper. You may need to investigate to see if you have that or maybe need a different style of connection for your trailer.

SCMortgageMan · Jul 31, 2013

I'm such a newbie, I'm really not sure what class I would need. Appears that the higher up you go in class, the more you can tow and the more that can be on the tongue. Class 5 lets you tow 15000 lbs and 1500 lbs on tongue vs. Class IV at 10000 and 1000. The class 3 is 6000 and 600. I really don't have anything to tow, but, want a hitch "just in case".

What would you guys recommend?

TRCM · Jul 31, 2013

in your situation, get the class IV

badblackram06 · Jul 31, 2013

All half ton trucks normally come with class 3 hitches from the factory and that's all I've ever installed for people hauling cattle trailers and campers. If you ever see your self pulling more than 6,000lbs then go with the class iv. Your trucks max towing capacity (payload) is around 9,000lbs so going any higher than class iv isn't really needed or recommended.

LOFSFIRE · Aug 1, 2013

SCMortgageMan said:
I'm such a newbie, I'm really not sure what class I would need. Appears that the higher up you go in class, the more you can tow and the more that can be on the tongue. Class 5 lets you tow 15000 lbs and 1500 lbs on tongue vs. Class IV at 10000 and 1000. The class 3 is 6000 and 600. I really don't have anything to tow, but, want a hitch "just in case".

What would you guys recommend?

badblackram06 said:
All half ton trucks normally come with class 3 hitches from the factory and that's all I've ever installed for people hauling cattle trailers and campers. If you ever see your self pulling more than 6,000lbs then go with the class iv. Your trucks max towing capacity (payload) is around 9,000lbs so going any higher than class iv isn't really needed or recommended.

I agree have the hitch just in case, but as badblackram06 stated Class III are more than enough for your truck. I have pulled 30' trailer with my 98 F150 with a Class III, it was just small trips but still capable. Another thing to think about is your bumper is a Class III hitch, that is why RAM is not putting the hitches on as many trucks. They built the strength in the frame. If you have a OEM 2" receiver hitch on your truck it is a Class IV.
I personally could not live without the 2" receiver, nice to be able to have a drop hitch so the trailer sits level.

SCMortgageMan · Aug 1, 2013

Lofs, are you saying that I can install a 2" ball on my bumper and effectively have a Class III??

audio1der · Aug 1, 2013

That was my interpretation of what he said as well^.

I would put a hitch which meets or exceeds your truck's towing capacity, effectively a class IV. If a class III is rated for a MAX of 6,000 but you can tow up to 8,500, that's just not smart. Yeah, 10,000 might be overkill but better over than undersized when it comes to safety.
(this is assuming 3.55 gears w/Hemi. If you have 3.92 & Hemi you're rated for 10,000 and should absolutely get a class IV)

TRXHemi · Aug 1, 2013

The Curt class III should be good... I would NOT put a ball on your bumper....

I did the class III for a horse trailer I have and it's fine.

smiley · Aug 1, 2013

I just realized that I think the Rams come with Class 3 and they are rated for 6000 pounds or up to 10000 with weight distribution hitch to I probably use mine to capacity often and did not know it.

As far as wiring I believe all Rams are wired for towing whether they came with receiver installed or not so that is a nice bonus!

This might help you decide too.. Trailer Hitch Classes Review | etrailer.com

This one is ideal for that truck Trailer Hitch by Curt for 2009 Ram Pickup - 14374

audio1der · Aug 1, 2013

smiley3303 said:
I just realized that I think the Rams come with Class 3 and they are rated for 6000 pounds or up to 10000 with weight distribution hitch to I probably use mine to capacity often and did not know it.

I don't know if this is another Cdn/US discrepancy, but mine came with a class IV. From my build sheet I received last week, and supported by my window sticker, the brochure we got before buying and eyballing the sticker on the hitch:
Class IV Receiver Hitch

smiley · Aug 1, 2013

I hope mine is class 4 I will look.

$miley

WhiteExpress · Aug 1, 2013

The bumper on the GenIV Rams is rated at a Class III hitch (I believe).
If you look under it, there is a full hitch under it. just nicely hidden in the bumper.

I wanted the versitility of diffent hitches, so I have the Curt IV on mine.
Has worked great, and is rated higher than my truck. Perfect!

Looks damned good too!

smiley · Aug 1, 2013

I don't see any labels on it but I read just now that they come with class IV from the factory.

$miley

SCMortgageMan · Aug 1, 2013

Thanks everyone. This forum is so helpful!

LOFSFIRE · Aug 2, 2013

SCMortgageMan said:
Lofs, are you saying that I can install a 2" ball on my bumper and effectively have a Class III??

Yep, not saying to do it but yes its a Class III on the bumper. If you never tow and just want to be able to if need the bumper could most likely handle the job.

WhiteExpress said:
The bumper on the GenIV Rams is rated at a Class III hitch (I believe).
If you look under it, there is a full hitch under it. just nicely hidden in the bumper.

I wanted the versitility of diffent hitches, so I have the Curt IV on mine.
Has worked great, and is rated higher than my truck. Perfect!

Looks damned good too!

My OEM Class IV basically looks like this, and versatility for different toys is why I wanted it. I have a snow plow that I can put on my hitch, Tailgating table, Hitch rack, etc.

Before it's asked yes, a plow on the back, its remote controlled and I can pull or push snow, 30sec to install or remove, and no mounts left on the truck. Here is a picture on my old truck.

audio1der · Aug 2, 2013

Huh. Have never seen that before, but very smart to save the front end on a half ton.

Need tow hitch help and recommendations..

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