So heres the deal. We had to pull out a Ford Bus out of the mud. The hooks bent the eyelets. The receiver is a WELDED one piece part. Frame and all. (I believe it is used as the frame cross member) Is the 2009 2500 OEM hitch the same? I need to replace it and the dealer is selling me a smaller both on and mine is welded.

 

If I recall on my 2004 Ram 2500 the hitch was also welded to the frame rail. This has been done since the introduction of the 3rd gen's. Did you use the safety chain eyelets on the hitch as an anchor point? If you did, you now know that's a bad idea.

I purchased a shackle assembly that slides into the receiver to use when I need to tug someone out. I bought it at Pep Boy's in the towing section. I believe Reece makes it. I also advise you to get a tow strap the has no metal hooks on it. Mine has stitched in loops that you hook over a tow hook then run the other end through the above mentioned shackle.

I'm not busting on you as I've learned many a lesson the hard (and expensive) way. Using chain or even a nylon strap with metal hooks is a bad idea. Should the chain or strap break metal hooks can and will kill.

As for you hitch dilema. It may be easier to contact an aftermarket hitch maker than try and replace yours with another factory style. Don't settle for anything smaller than what you have. Heck, now's the time to go bigger.