...booty (Ha).

Ok, so here it is. My dealership's parts guys cannot tell me what this is. The factory hitch that you buy seperately for a3G dakota is: A.) class II
B.) class III
C.) class IV

So, I was told by the dealer that the hitch is a class IV, which yeilds a 7,700 lb tow rating. (does not mention anything about weight distribution). Then, the next day I speak to a different guy in the parts department and he says its a class II, which yeilds a 2,000 lb tow rating and with weight distribution, 7,700 lbs. And theeeeeeeen, I call the dealership in another city. This guy says the sum-bitch is rated at 3,500 lbs (no mention of weight distribution). All of the part numbers to follow the description of part were the same between all three occurences.

So, WTF?! Can someone tell me what the hell the class and ratins of this hitchare before I go on ebay?

 

I have the tow package on my '03 QC 4.7l and it's a class IV. Not sure about weight distribution. Seems like a class II hitch would be pretty small. I think I have seen them on Explorers/CR-V's/etc.

 

Mine that came with the tow pkg is a IV

 

IIRC the hitch is a III / IV class hitch with the 'normal' towing @ about 5K and then 7K with the weight distribution hitch.

If you have the 4X4, the numbers are lower... I have the informationlaying around somewhere,just need to find the stuff...

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Ok from dodge.comhttp://www-5.dodge.com/vehsuite/dispatch.do

"However, the maximum tongue weight on Class III (The bumper ball) is limited to 500 lbs, and Class IV (The receiver hitch) to 1200 lbs."

http://www-5.dodge.com/vehsuite/towi.../d/classes.jsp

Class III 5,000-pound maximum. Weight-distributing hitch not required, unless specified for a particular vehicle

Class IV 12,000-pound maximum. Weight-distributing hitch is required; as indicated by each weight classification, there are three types of hitches that are required

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From the owner's manual

Trailer brakes are recommended for trailers over 1,000 lbsand required for trailers in excess of 2,000 lbs.

Trailer sway control and equalizing hitch are required for tongue weights above 350 lbs. (Is this the same as a wieght distribution hitch?)

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From u-haul

Some hitches are weight carrying with weight distributing ability and will have a dual rating – "weight carrying (WC) 5000 / weight distributing (WD) 10,000", for example. To use a hitch at the higher rating (WD), a weight distribution system must be added.

 

The hitch is a class II. Dodge does not list them according to class. 2005-2008 Dakotas all use the same. 7,700-LB tow rating, 770-lb tounge weight rating with weight distributing equipment; otherwise 3,500-lb tor rating, 350-lb tounge weight rating. Too many parts guys will not take the time to learn about what they sell, and don't anything but what the book says.... See this link for an explaination fo hitch classes.>>>>> http://www.randpcarriages.com/tech/T...tchClasses.htm

Hope this helps....DAVID

 

Umm sorta.... but if our receiver is 2"x2" http://www.discountramps.com/images/receiver-size.gifthen according to this site it is at least a Class III receiver??

 

mky 02 durango has a class IV or V on it, not sure which offhand and i dont feel like going out in the cold to check

 

A 4x2 truck weighs less, so it can tow more. (Assuming the same engine and gears). Instead of pulling around 400LBS of transfer case and front end running gear, you can pull around 400 LBS more crap in the trailer. (Or whatever the 4x4 system weighs). Same goes for club cab vs. quad cab.

 

Ok, so we have two different explanations.

One: OEM reciever hitch is a class 2

Evidence: 1.) The dealer and parts specialists tell us the thing is rated at 3,500 GTW

Two: OEM hitch is a class 3

Evidence: 2.) 2" x 2" reciever is utilized which typically defines it as a class 3

Is it possible that the thing is a class 2 with a 2" x 2" reciever? Even though Dodge rates it as a class 2, does it have the strength capacity of a class 3? Does a flux-capacitor really exist?