Hitch Weight Capacity

[Houndboy]

I have a factory installed hitch on my truck with a weight capacity of 5000 pounds. I am buying a 2009 Hawk 2 horse bumper pull trailer, with a dressing room, at a empty weight of 3000 pounds. I plan to tow one 16'3 TB. Do I need to upgrade the hitch to the next weight class? I want to be sure my horse is safe and hate to be right at the hitch's weight limit. What do you all think?

[RedTahoe]

What type of "factory-installed" hitch? Ball mount on the bumper or more of a Draw Tite set up? You might want to take a gander at some of the other threads on towing.

[marta]

you'll be cutting it close.
figure your horse is about 1200 lbs? so with trailer weight empty you're at 4200 lbs. now throw in a bale of hay, your tack and assorted other junk we all tend to carry around and you're right at the limit. and forget about hauling 2 horses.

[CanterQueen]

And what's the towing capacity of your vehicle? Is it 5000 lbs as well? If so, Marta is right and I'd be careful going close to the limit, and certainly never over it.

[Houndboy]

Thanks. The hitch I have is actually welded to the truck's frame, not just on the bumper. I have read through other threads on towing and hitches, but didn't see my specific question answered. I agree I would never be able to tow two horses with the current set up. So, I probably do need to upgrade the hitch. What is the next weight class? It is 7500 pounds?

[Houndboy]

The total towing capacity of the truck is just under 8000 pounds.

[grinanride]

The empty weight of the new Hawk trailer will be 3300 with a tongue weight of about 490 = check your hitch without weight distribution for it's max weight rating. Check the ball too, what ever is the lowest amount is the weakest link - OR, if the ball is rated lower than the hitch your actual safe amount is the lowest item.
Risa
HappyTrailsTrailers.com

[Houndboy]

Thanks for the info Risa, that is very helpful. I will definitely check.

[2bee]

A tow rating of almost 8000, but the factory hitch is only good for 5000? Something does not sound right, exactly what truck do you have?

There are usually two sets of capacities, weight carrying and weight distributing.

[Houndboy]

A Dodge 1500 Quad Cab with the Hemi engine. The hitch says 5000 pounds, but the truck is rated to tow just under 8000 pounds.

[2bee]

Thought I smelled a Dodge, strangely low rating and welded to the frame caught my eye. :)

I suspect, but I could be wrong, if you contact Dodge they will tell you the hitch is rated 500 tongue/5000 trailer in weight carrying and 1000 tongue/10000 (or somewhere close) trailer in weight distributing. I would certainly try that route before you go through the hassle of replacing that hitch.

[poltroon]

Yes, you need to upgrade.

It is standard for all vehicles, it seems, to just get a class III receiver hitch - even an F250 or F350. You need a class IV or class V weight distributing hitch for horses. On the heavier vehicles, though, you can add on the weight-distributing portion to the existing hitch and be good to go.

[Houndboy]

Thanks for all the info. Guess I will be shopping for a new hitch.:yes: