observation about factory hitch

[Neil E]

So, I just got a regular cab Express. I didn't like that the bedliner and hitch were deleted, but I liked the look of the body color bumpers, plus it was the color I wanted, blue. It was a leftover 2017.
I was looking at another white one on the lot that had the hitch added, $345 option.

But, I just had the dealer add the factory class IV hitch, and it is $168 plus 1/2 hour labor. So it was $218 before the 15% off coupon I had.

That's crazy that it's almost 1/2 of the factory installed option.

 

[NoveskeFan]

Hows the bolt through bumper look? Does it look like mine with the “bulb” cover?

 

[JB1]

So, I just got a regular cab Express. I didn't like that the bedliner and hitch were deleted, but I liked the look of the body color bumpers, plus it was the color I wanted, blue. It was a leftover 2017.
I was looking at another white one on the lot that had the hitch added, $345 option.

But, I just had the dealer add the factory class IV hitch, and it is $168 plus 1/2 hour labor. So it was $218 before the 15% off coupon I had.

That's crazy that it's almost 1/2 of the factory installed option.

Depends on which hitch you got, post a pic

 

[Neil E]

Yes, it looks like this one with the cover on it.

Hows the bolt through bumper look? Does it look like mine with the “bulb” cover?

 

[Arth]

Yes, it looks like this one with the cover on it.

Pretty sure that's a class III hitch.

Someone correct me if I am wrong but the class IV hitch that comes from that factory doesn't use a bolt in that location. At least mine doesn't.

 

[NoveskeFan]

Pretty sure that's a class III hitch.

Someone correct me if I am wrong but the class IV hitch that comes from that factory doesn't use a bolt in that location. At least mine doesn't.

I believe the one Neil E & I have is Mopars class III dealer installed option:



Rating is 12,000-lb tow rating, 1,200-lb tongue weight rating with weight distributing equipment; otherwise 5,000-lb. tow rating, 500-lb tongue weight rating.

The Factory installed class IV option is:



I haven’t found the ratings on the factory option but believe its 14k tow with distribution and 10k straight tow.

I’m thinking of removing the bumper bolt so I can install the flush mount plug. I don’t really tow and as long as I remember to reinstall the bolt if I do tow (don’t even own a trailer) then it should be fine.

 

[Arth]

Okay so you both do have a class III. OP said they installed a class IV.. sorry I get stuck on the little things.

That explains why it was half the cost of a factory trailer package.

I believe the one Neil E & I have is Mopars class III dealer installed option:



Rating is 12,000-lb tow rating, 1,200-lb tongue weight rating with weight distributing equipment; otherwise 5,000-lb. tow rating, 500-lb tongue weight rating.

The Factory installed class IV option is:



I haven’t found the ratings on the factory option but believe its 14k tow with distribution and 10k straight tow.

I’m thinking of removing the bumper bolt so I can install the flush mount plug. I don’t really tow and as long as I remember to reinstall the bolt if I do tow (don’t even own a trailer) then it should be fine.

 

[JB1]

Okay so you both do have a class III. OP said they installed a class IV.. sorry I get stuck on the little things.

That explains why it was half the cost of a factory trailer package.

^^this

 

[NoveskeFan]

I’ll add, the factory class IV is available online for around $250-300 new. I’m trying to decide between removing a bolt or spending $250 to have a flush bumper plug

 

[Neil E]

sorry about that, I thought it was a class iv. I guess the good news is that it suits what I need. But that answers my question why it was cheaper.

 

[17CrewCab1500]

Funny, when I got rearended - they replaced my factory hitch and when I got the truck back - it had a new hitch with this bolt through the rear bumper too.. kind of was like what is this?? I hate that bolt and cap/cover on the step bumper.

 

[JB1]

I’ll add, the factory class IV is available online for around $250-300 new. I’m trying to decide between removing a bolt or spending $250 to have a flush bumper plug

Just remove it completely if you don’t use it.

sorry about that, I thought it was a class iv. I guess the good news is that it suits what I need. But that answers my question why it was cheaper.

I had your same hitch on my 2011 Ram express, it worked fine for what I needed

 

[Neil E]

Just to add confusion, I just looked at the app on my phone, and Class IV shows up as dealer installed, not a class iii

 

[JB1]

strange

 

[Arth]

Just to add confusion, I just looked at the app on my phone, and Class IV shows up as dealer installed, not a class iii

View attachment 133473

Only way to verify would be to get the part number of the hitch they installed and google it or something to see if it is actually a class III or not. What you've got pictured is an example of complacency. They invoiced a class IV hitch and then said they installed a class IV hitch. I'm calling it complacency because I don't think it's a class IV but as I've said before I could be wrong.

 

[Neil E]

https://moparonlineparts.com/1500-hitch-receiver-p-2575.html

It doesn't say the class on anything I can find, but the weight is what was stated in an earlier post.

 

[14hemiexpress]

Class 3 hitches are typically rated around 8k so what you have is a class 3/4 with a standard hitch it's a class 3 rated for 5k lbs 500 hitch weight when you add a weight distrabution hitch it increases your rating to 12k 1200lb hitch weight. So you have both. Its plenty sufficient for a 1500.

 

[Ray Hamilton]

Another possible reason the factory price is higher is that it may include a brake controller.

 

[Neil E]

thanks for the feedback everyone, like everyone says, it's exactly what I need.

 

[yourfloormat]

Well, pretty much all the Rams have the hole in bumper with the cover on it. Yes thats not a class IV with. However one thing you missing and would make a class IV cheaper at the dealer etc, is that most factory installed class IV's include towing hook up for lights etc.