2015 Class IV Hitch Receiver Specs
08-08-2015, 10:04 PM
#21
Mike
08-08-2015, 10:55 PM
#22
Senior Member
It looks like Curt makes a class 3 and a class 4 hitch for the F150.
08-09-2015, 09:39 AM
#23
Senior Member
Like others have suggested, Ford's hitch receiver ratings must have more to do with the truck's suspension than the receiver itself.
I've towed with 600-650# tongue weight (no WDH) and the handling gets a bit loose because of the weight lifted off the front axle, but it's not too bad. But I wouldn't go any higher for sure, and feel more comfortable with less.
People say you can get away with only 10% tongue weight when towing a boat. So for me, 6000# boat+trailer with 600# tongue weight would be the max.
Stiffening the rear suspension and levelling the truck isn't going to return that weight lifted off the front axle, but a WDH will. You will usually also get some sway control with it.
I've towed with 600-650# tongue weight (no WDH) and the handling gets a bit loose because of the weight lifted off the front axle, but it's not too bad. But I wouldn't go any higher for sure, and feel more comfortable with less.
People say you can get away with only 10% tongue weight when towing a boat. So for me, 6000# boat+trailer with 600# tongue weight would be the max.
Stiffening the rear suspension and levelling the truck isn't going to return that weight lifted off the front axle, but a WDH will. You will usually also get some sway control with it.
08-09-2015, 05:25 PM
#24
Senior Member
Boats are closer to 5% hitch weight, based on what I've read.
Adding a rear swaybar in effect adds spring rate to the rear. Same goes for Timbrens.
Adding a rear swaybar in effect adds spring rate to the rear. Same goes for Timbrens.
08-09-2015, 05:52 PM
#25
Senior Member
A 10K # boat and trailer would be doable then without a WDH.
Guess a lot depends upon how the boat sits on the trailer, type of boat, trailer ...
08-09-2015, 08:32 PM
#26
Grumpy Old Man
Here is the definition from wikipedia:
Originally Posted by Wikipedia
Trailer hitch classes
A trailer hitch typically bolts to the chassis of the vehicle. In North America there are a few common classes (I, II, III and IV) that are defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). Some manufacturers market Class V hitches, but there is no such standard according to SAE J684.[1]
Class I – up to 2,000 pounds (910 kg) – light loads
Class II – up to 3,500 pounds (1,600 kg) – light loads
Class III – up to 5,000 pounds (2,300 kg) – larger loads (campers, boats, etc.)
Class IV – up to 10,000 pounds (4,500 kg) – larger loads (campers, boats, etc.)
Class V – up to 17,000 pounds (7,700 kg) – larger loads (construction equipment, etc.)
[1]^ "Trailer Couplings, Hitches, and Safety Chains -- Automotive Type (Standard: J684, Revision: A)". SAE International. 30 May 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
A trailer hitch typically bolts to the chassis of the vehicle. In North America there are a few common classes (I, II, III and IV) that are defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). Some manufacturers market Class V hitches, but there is no such standard according to SAE J684.[1]
Class I – up to 2,000 pounds (910 kg) – light loads
Class II – up to 3,500 pounds (1,600 kg) – light loads
Class III – up to 5,000 pounds (2,300 kg) – larger loads (campers, boats, etc.)
Class IV – up to 10,000 pounds (4,500 kg) – larger loads (campers, boats, etc.)
Class V – up to 17,000 pounds (7,700 kg) – larger loads (construction equipment, etc.)
[1]^ "Trailer Couplings, Hitches, and Safety Chains -- Automotive Type (Standard: J684, Revision: A)". SAE International. 30 May 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
The Ford definition in the 1999 thru 2015 editions of the Ford RV and Trailer Towing Guide pretty much agrees:
--- Class I, light duty = 2000 pounds maximum weight (trailer and cargo combined).
--- Class II, medium-duty = 2001 - 3500 pounds gross trailer weight
--- Class III, heavy-duty = 3501 - 5000 pounds gross trailer weight
--- Class IV, extra-heavy-duty = Over 5,000 pounds gross trailer weight
--- Class V: some industry sources refer to trailers over 10,000 pounds as Class V trailers. Ford SuperDuty pickups and chassis cabs can be equipped to handle these trailers.
Last edited by smokeywren; 08-09-2015 at 08:36 PM.
08-09-2015, 08:58 PM
#27
Here is the definition from wikipedia:
The Ford definition in the 1999 thru 2015 editions of the Ford RV and Trailer Towing Guide pretty much agrees:
--- Class I, light duty = 2000 pounds maximum weight (trailer and cargo combined).
--- Class II, medium-duty = 2001 - 3500 pounds gross trailer weight
--- Class III, heavy-duty = 3501 - 5000 pounds gross trailer weight
--- Class IV, extra-heavy-duty = Over 5,000 pounds gross trailer weight
--- Class V: some industry sources refer to trailers over 10,000 pounds as Class V trailers. Ford SuperDuty pickups and chassis cabs can be equipped to handle these trailers.
The Ford definition in the 1999 thru 2015 editions of the Ford RV and Trailer Towing Guide pretty much agrees:
--- Class I, light duty = 2000 pounds maximum weight (trailer and cargo combined).
--- Class II, medium-duty = 2001 - 3500 pounds gross trailer weight
--- Class III, heavy-duty = 3501 - 5000 pounds gross trailer weight
--- Class IV, extra-heavy-duty = Over 5,000 pounds gross trailer weight
--- Class V: some industry sources refer to trailers over 10,000 pounds as Class V trailers. Ford SuperDuty pickups and chassis cabs can be equipped to handle these trailers.
And, interestingly, the trucks I've been looking at have anywhere from 10,500 to 11,900 lb. max trailer weight limits (and others up to 12,200 lbs.), which pushes them over the Class IV rating, at least by these definitions. And, yet, Ford advertises them as having a Class IV hitch.
Mike
08-10-2015, 10:14 PM
#28
Senior Member
Ford's mounting for hitches is pretty strong, especially with Max Tow. If you plan on towing heavy, get the Max Tow if you can find one.
08-16-2015, 07:10 PM
#29
Mike
07-06-2016, 01:58 PM
#30
Mike,
I'm in the same boat as you. I'm getting very confused as to what I see. So my 2015 XLT with 3.5 ecoboost has the trailer tow package. Not the Max unfortunately. So the Class IV hitch sticker on the bottom says 5000lbs / 500lbs tongue weight for weight carrying.
Here is where I'm freaking out a bit. I will be moving soon and will be towing my 2008 Saturn Astra (commuter car) using a Uhaul car transporter. Curb weight is 2778lbs. The uhaul trailer is 2210lbs. Total that and combined weight carry of the whole thing is 4988lbs. That's too close for comfort if the max is 5000lbs.
Although uhaul' see site said it needs a minimum of 5000lbs system. Also not to use weight distribution (so that's out the window) and if my receiver is the weak point I guess I'm limited to that.
If this is suppose to be a Class IV, it's starting to get me worried, because the sticker clearly gives rating specs for Class III not Class IV. Do any of you all see an issue with what I'll be towing? Thanks!
I'm in the same boat as you. I'm getting very confused as to what I see. So my 2015 XLT with 3.5 ecoboost has the trailer tow package. Not the Max unfortunately. So the Class IV hitch sticker on the bottom says 5000lbs / 500lbs tongue weight for weight carrying.
Here is where I'm freaking out a bit. I will be moving soon and will be towing my 2008 Saturn Astra (commuter car) using a Uhaul car transporter. Curb weight is 2778lbs. The uhaul trailer is 2210lbs. Total that and combined weight carry of the whole thing is 4988lbs. That's too close for comfort if the max is 5000lbs.
Although uhaul' see site said it needs a minimum of 5000lbs system. Also not to use weight distribution (so that's out the window) and if my receiver is the weak point I guess I'm limited to that.
If this is suppose to be a Class IV, it's starting to get me worried, because the sticker clearly gives rating specs for Class III not Class IV. Do any of you all see an issue with what I'll be towing? Thanks!