Receiver capacity

[pobox1067]

If my 2016 Ram 1500 is rated to tow 9010 lbs, does that automatically mean the factory installed receiver is rated for that amount?

 

[MADDOG]

Yes. They would not have installed a receiver hitch that doesn't meet or exceed the rated capacity of the truck.

 

[pobox1067]

Thank you for a prompt definitive reply!

 

[Longhorn1500]

Actually, it depends on the class of receiver they installed:

Class I – up to 2,000 pounds (910 kg)
Class II – up to 3,500 pounds (1,600 kg)
Class III – up to 5,000 pounds (2,300 kg)
Class IV – up to 10,000 pounds (4,500 kg)
Class V – up to 17,000 pounds (7,700 kg)

Mine came installed with the Class IV according to the Build Sheet.

 

[McBroom]

If my 2016 Ram 1500 is rated to tow 9010 lbs, does that automatically mean the factory installed receiver is rated for that amount?

Yes


I Love my 18 Ram 2500HD 4x4 CC
Blue Streak Pearl off-road package

 

[TatertotScott]

No doubt about it. If it is a factory installed receiver, it is rated high enough.

To confirm, the ought to be a stamped or plate spec on the receiver main tube.

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[huntergreen]

Yes. They would not have installed a receiver hitch that doesn't meet or exceed the rated capacity of the truck.

In theory , one would think this. I would be looking for a stamp on the receiver .

 

[MADDOG]

In all reality, FCA realizes that if they install a receiver hitch that does not meet or exceed the towing capacity of the truck, and someone is hurt or injured because a derated hitch was used, the lawsuits will begin.

It's always good to check, I suppose, but I also rely on the fact that any company will do what they must to reduce risk. This is an easy risk to mitigate.

 

[Jimmy07]

In all reality, FCA realizes that if they install a receiver hitch that does not meet or exceed the towing capacity of the truck, and someone is hurt or injured because a derated hitch was used, the lawsuits will begin.

It's always good to check, I suppose, but I also rely on the fact that any company will do what they must to reduce risk. This is an easy risk to mitigate.

Tow capacity on a ram 3500 drw with Cummins, Aisin trans, and 4:10’s is 30,000lbs...

 

[Longhorn1500]

I expect they install a Class IV receiver even if the truck has a 10,500 (or more?) pound tow rating. "Trust but verify." May be a nit, but in some cases, maybe not.

 

[BrianandChrissy]

Tow capacity on a ram 3500 drw with Cummins, Aisin trans, and 4:10’s is 30,000lbs...

Remember....30,000 lbs towing capacity when PROPERLY EQUIPPED...I.e. 5th wheel hitch etc.

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[Jimmy07]

Remember....30,000 lbs towing capacity when PROPERLY EQUIPPED...I.e. 5th wheel hitch etc.

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I’m well aware of that. The assumption on this thread seems to be, “FCA wouldn’t install a receiver on the truck that couldn’t meet or exceed the TOW CAPACITY”. I used that example to make you guys think about that blanket statement.

 

[MADDOG]

That's not a blanket statement as you so characterize it. It's a statement of fact.

The liability for not doing so is huge and not an acceptable risk that corporations would knowingly assume. Therefore, provisions are made to install properly rated equipment on the trucks to meet the design specifications.

So let's look at it this way. What would FCA gain from willingly installing a receiver that is not rated for the tow capacity of the truck? Is it your contention that they would do so?

 

[pobox1067]

Newbie here...what is FCA? And thank you all for your responses.

 

[Jimmy07]

That's not a blanket statement as you so characterize it. It's a statement of fact.

The liability for not doing so is huge and not an acceptable risk that corporations would knowingly assume. Therefore, provisions are made to install properly rated equipment on the trucks to meet the design specifications.

So let's look at it this way. What would FCA gain from willingly installing a receiver that is not rated for the tow capacity of the truck? Is it your contention that they would do so?

Yes, they do install receivers on trucks that do not exceed the tow capacity of the truck. In my example above, a 3500 drw with the Cummins engine, Aisin trans, and 4:10 rear end has a tow capacity of 30,000 lbs. The receiver that they install on that truck is a class V (18,000 lb tow rating) receiver. So, no, it is not safe to say that the receivers they install exceed the tow capacity. The owner of the vehicle needs to read a little bit further to see that the 30,000 lb tow capacity is when you use the proper rated 5th wheel or gooseneck hitch, NOT the receiver.

 

[BrianandChrissy]

Yes, they do install receivers on trucks that do not exceed the tow capacity of the truck. In my example above, a 3500 drw with the Cummins engine, Aisin trans, and 4:10 rear end has a tow capacity of 30,000 lbs. The receiver that they install on that truck is a class V (18,000 lb tow rating) receiver. So, no, it is not safe to say that the receivers they install exceed the tow capacity. The owner of the vehicle needs to read a little bit further to see that the 30,000 lb tow capacity is when you use the proper rated 5th wheel or gooseneck hitch, NOT the receiver.

If you read the manual when you purchase the truck, it CLEARLY STATES the limits of the class V hitch. And let's face facts...most everyday joe shmoes arent buying that kind of vehicle. The ones who do are well versed in towing and the limits of their vehicles. Nuff said...

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[BrianandChrissy]

Newbie here...what is FCA? And thank you all for your responses.

FCA stands for Fiat Chrysler

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[Jimmy07]

If you read the manual when you purchase the truck, it CLEARLY STATES the limits of the class V hitch. And let's face facts...most everyday joe shmoes arent buying that kind of vehicle. The ones who do are well versed in towing and the limits of their vehicles. Nuff said...

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I hear ya. It’s absolutely in the owners manual, and it does say “when properly equipped”. Now, let’s say someone who has no clue about towing, or trucks in general, goes to a dealer and says I want to buy a big truck from you. Dealer says, we got this one, it has 30,000lb tow capacity. He says, I’ll buy it, this can handle anything I can throw at it. Now, he decides to join this forum to ask a question, because he has no desire to read the owners manual or sales brochures (seems to be the norm nowadays). He says “hey, i have a 20,000 lb trailer I want to pull, is it safe to assume the receiver on the truck is rated for it?” Would you guys still say “sure, they wouldn’t install a receiver on the truck that doesn’t exceed the tow capacity”? You gotta remember that we can’t assume everyone reads their owners manuals and know what we’re talking about all the time.

 

[BrianandChrissy]

I hear ya. It’s absolutely in the owners manual, and it does say “when properly equipped”. Now, let’s say someone who has no clue about towing, or trucks in general, goes to a dealer and says I want to buy a big truck from you. Dealer says, we got this one, it has 30,000lb tow capacity. He says, I’ll buy it, this can handle anything I can throw at it. Now, he decides to join this forum to ask a question, because he has no desire to read the owners manual or sales brochures (seems to be the norm nowadays). He says “hey, i have a 20,000 lb trailer I want to pull, is it safe to assume the receiver on the truck is rated for it?” Would you guys still say “sure, they wouldn’t install a receiver on the truck that doesn’t exceed the tow capacity”? You gotta remember that we can’t assume everyone reads their owners manuals and know what we’re talking about all the time.

Very true. Now i see your point. Well said !!

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[Random_Walk]

Just in case you get a truck minus a hitch receiver (yes, it happens - I can attest to it from recent experience w/ my little 2017.):

1) Look up the max tow for your truck and be certain of it (in my case, just north of 4800 lbs). register your truck with mopar.com and once registered, it will tell you plain as day.

2) Buy your receiver accordingly (in my case, a Class III hitch is just fine, since Class III is rated at 5k lbs, and the Draw-Tite receiver I bought is stamped to be rated at 6,000 lbs maximum.)

3) Follow all of the instructions! If you do not have a big-enough torque wrench or cannot rent one from the local auto parts store, get a mechanic to put it in for you. DO NOT GUESS AT THIS! (a 'calibrated elbow' stands a great chance of wrecking your trailer, your truck, someone else's vehicle(s), or all of these things - guaranteed.)

4) Don't forget the wiring (my SLT already had the wiring, and it tested good.) If you're not comfortable with electrical work, get a mechanic to do it for you.

5) Trailer brake adjustment kit? Yes, please! Unless you intend to only tow a tiny boat, you want one installed, just in case. Dealer sells the factory-made ones starting at around $200, well-built aftermarket ones are way less expensive, and you need to take the time to do it right. Again, if you ain't cozy with wiring, get someone to do it for you.

6) Weight Distribution hitch to go with your new receiver? Depends. For the heavy (3,000+ lb) stuff, you want one, if only to optimize the hitch ride height, which in turn helps with improved handling and fuel mileage.


--

It should go without saying that you should be comfortable with towing the item you want to tow, and if not, you practice. Here's how: Get someone comfortable with towing a load that size, have that person take you to a really big and really empty parking lot, and get some practice in: hitching and un-hitching (be sure you have to back up to the trailer from all kinds of angles), turns, backing (especially this!), and various other maneuverings.


HTH a little.

Signed,

A schmuck who (fortunately) had a few close relatives handy to teach him about all this crap long, long ago, back when he bought a 35' camping trailer for his old truck, all without the slightest clue as to how to drag the stupid thing safely. Almost got myself killed getting it home, and was (again, fortunately) intercepted by said relatives shortly afterwards, and taught how to do it properly.