My hitch ball says 3500 lbs. on it... what does that spec refer to?
04-18-2007, 12:23 AM
#1
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My hitch ball says 3500 lbs. on it... what does that spec refer to?
The ball says 3500 lbs on it and the receiver says 6000 on it. 
04-18-2007, 12:51 AM
#2
Melting Slicks
TRAILER HITCH GUIDELINES
Tongue Weight Capacity: This is the maximum VERTICAL weight that the frame of your vehicle can support.
Tongue Weight Capacities for Various Hitch Classes:
Hitch Class Tongue Wt. Capacity
Class I 200-250 lbs.
Class II 250-350 lbs.
Class III -IV 350-600 lbs
Class V 1,000 lbs. +
Sources for determining tongue weight capacity:
Label on the hitch
Owner's manual
The installer of the hitch
The manufacturer of the hitch
Hitch Sizes: Hitch sizes come in five classes from Class I (light duty) through Class V (heavy duty).
Hitch Sizes
Hitch Class Inside Measurements
Class I 1-1/4" x 1-1/4"
Class II 1-1/4" x 1-1/4"
Class III - IV; 2" x 2"
Class V; 2-1/2" x 2-1/2"
Note: Some Class I and II hitches may have a 2"x 2" opening
Sources for determining trailer hitch size
Label on the hitch
Tape measure
Owner's manual
The installer of the hitch
The manufacturer of the hitch
Hitch Converters: Devices that change the hitch size opening but not the tongue weight capacity
Hitch Extenders: Devices designed to increase the distance from the rear of your vehicle to the hitch receiver opening. Hitch extenders place additional stress on the hitch and the frame of the vehicle due to the increased leverage associated with the load being further from the hitch and frame of the vehicle thus reducing the tongue weight capacity significantly.
Tongue Weight Capacity: This is the maximum VERTICAL weight that the frame of your vehicle can support.
Tongue Weight Capacities for Various Hitch Classes:
Hitch Class Tongue Wt. Capacity
Class I 200-250 lbs.
Class II 250-350 lbs.
Class III -IV 350-600 lbs
Class V 1,000 lbs. +
Sources for determining tongue weight capacity:
Label on the hitch
Owner's manual
The installer of the hitch
The manufacturer of the hitch
Hitch Sizes: Hitch sizes come in five classes from Class I (light duty) through Class V (heavy duty).
Hitch Sizes
Hitch Class Inside Measurements
Class I 1-1/4" x 1-1/4"
Class II 1-1/4" x 1-1/4"
Class III - IV; 2" x 2"
Class V; 2-1/2" x 2-1/2"
Note: Some Class I and II hitches may have a 2"x 2" opening
Sources for determining trailer hitch size
Label on the hitch
Tape measure
Owner's manual
The installer of the hitch
The manufacturer of the hitch
Hitch Converters: Devices that change the hitch size opening but not the tongue weight capacity
Hitch Extenders: Devices designed to increase the distance from the rear of your vehicle to the hitch receiver opening. Hitch extenders place additional stress on the hitch and the frame of the vehicle due to the increased leverage associated with the load being further from the hitch and frame of the vehicle thus reducing the tongue weight capacity significantly.
04-18-2007, 01:25 AM
#3
Le Mans Master
The receiver can tow a 6000 lb trailer. The ball is only rated to pull a 3500 lb trailer. You could break the ball if you tow a trailer heavier than 3500 lbs.
If you use the right ball, you could tow 6000 lbs, if the vehicle, and other factors allow it.
If you use the right ball, you could tow 6000 lbs, if the vehicle, and other factors allow it.
04-18-2007, 08:33 AM
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^ Thanks guys... this is what came w/ the truck when I got it... I'll be going to p-town trailer supply to talk to them about what I need for a 7-pin upgrade anyway. I'll get the beef'd up receiver and ball.
Ryan when you say 12000 lb "hitch" do you mean the arm that goes into the hitch? Or did you upgrade the Dakota to some super hitch?
Ryan when you say 12000 lb "hitch" do you mean the arm that goes into the hitch? Or did you upgrade the Dakota to some super hitch?
04-18-2007, 09:24 AM
#7
Melting Slicks
04-18-2007, 07:41 PM
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^ Thanks guys... this is what came w/ the truck when I got it... I'll be going to p-town trailer supply to talk to them about what I need for a 7-pin upgrade anyway. I'll get the beef'd up receiver and ball.
Ryan when you say 12000 lb "hitch" do you mean the arm that goes into the hitch? Or did you upgrade the Dakota to some super hitch?
Ryan when you say 12000 lb "hitch" do you mean the arm that goes into the hitch? Or did you upgrade the Dakota to some super hitch?
I bought everything at the trailer shop near grandover
04-19-2007, 09:15 AM
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Ok... just rechecked... I'm good to go. Class III hitch is good to 6000 lbs towing weight and 600 lbs toung. The "arm" I have is good fot 6000 so I just need to get the correct ball.
My car on a trailer should be 4600-4800lbs.
My car on a trailer should be 4600-4800lbs.
