So, I’ve searched around the Towing Forum and still haven’t found a clear cut answer to my question. Are all Class IV hitch rating not created equal? As I understand it, the towing specs for a Class IV are 10,000 pounds/1000 tongue weight. I’m well within limits here. Why does Ford only spec their Class IV hitch at 5000/500? I’m well outside of limits using those specs. I took the rig to the scale today and I’m well within limits on the rear GAWR and GCWR. Is this a front axle and/or payload thing? If the truck is sitting level when the boat is hooked to it, is there still a concern that too much weight is being taken off the front axle? I know tongue weight counts towards the payload, plus cargo and occupants. With four adults, cargo, and my tongue weight, I’m probably touching the upper limits of my payload limit of 1575. What am I missing here? I’m towing a boat, so you don’t see WD hitches in these setups. So, how is it possible to tow a boat that’s over the 5000/500 specs using a stock Ford Class IV hitch? Truck info. in signature. Thanks.

 

No they are not all the same.

5000/500 rating is in weight carrying mode. So a regular hitch.

When you go with a WD hitch and properly set up now that number is 13,200/1320 rating. This is based on your description of having the Max Tow Package.

I would also add that I don't tow a boat but towing a boat is different than say towing a Travel Trailer with high sides. The TT will catch the wind a lot more and really needs more tongue weight. What is your actual tongue weight? I have read that boats a lot of time get by with much lower tongue weights. Does your boat trailer have trailer brakes? Every state is different but a lot of times if you are getting over that 5000/500 many states require trailer brakes. Maybe it is a sign you are below that.

 

Yes, I have trailer brakes. My tongue weigh is 850. That’s including gear loaded in the front, but that probably doesn’t amount to 100 pounds. Small sample size so far because I just got the boat, but the truck seems to handle just fine. Been towing boats for 20 years, so I’m no newbie. Just upgraded to a bigger boat.

 

Yes, the standard is 10% for tongue weight.
Boat trailers can get away with as low as 5% for tongue weight. 5-10% is great for a boat.
A Travel Trailer is better 12-15% tongue weight maintaining control of that big box.
If you are going to exceed the weight carrying capacity of a class 4 receiver, you’ll want a class 5. That means F250 territory.
My SIL has never touched a WDH. Just bought a “light” 5th wheel but towed the prior toy hauler, about 8000# or so, always on the ball. No airbags, nothing extra. Was a diesel Ram 2500, new gas Ram 2500.

 

Now this is a different truck and a different load but here is what can happen. The contractor that built my garage a couple summers ago had an old school GMC 1 ton van. I must have paid him well because he bought one of those new 1 ton Ram contractor vans. Well he was pulling a bobcat trailer with a bobcat. He noticed that the hitch receiver was bent down and was getting close to breaking off. This was on a new truck so it isn't that something was failing because of age and rust. He went to the dealer and they pointed out the 500/5000 limit on his new 1 ton van. I suspect it is because they know contractors are going to load up the inside of the truck with their entire workshop. Had he not caught it when he did, he could have caused a very bad accident had the trailer broken the hitch and got loose. Imagine the receiver breaking off the frame while going down the interstate. Odds are even the breakaway cable is hooked to the receiver so the emergency trailer brakes might not have done any good. Same goes for the chains.

People go over limits all the time, you might be getting close on the payload number if loaded down with people and stuff but I would be concerned about the tongue weight. There are ways of adding a WD hitch to a boat trailer. Not ideal but still possible. Then drop the bars when you get to the ramp for loading and unloading. I would explore those options if it were me.

 

Hitches having separate ratings for weight carrying Vs weight distributing is not a requirement, but is common. In the aftermarket, hitches rated like the ones Ford installs on the F150 are often described as Class III/IV hitches.

What is your tongue weight percentage? Can you adjust the winch stand to move the boat back?

Can you attach a pole tongue adaptor?

 

If you look at the towing guide by ford you will see a foot note at the bottom of the pages that says
"Notes: • Do not exceed trailer weight of 5,000 lbs. when towing with bumper only."

I don't know if this is what you are referring to, but the hitch rating is only describing the actual hitch rating, (the material, weld, design...).

Ford has essentially said, Our truck ,when properly connected, can tow (Insert weight capability). To get you as close to that number, we have installed a class IV which stops at 10,000. If you have a higher rating you will need to upgrade to a class V Hitch to obtain any weight that exceeds 10,000.

A weight distribution hitch does nothing to effect your weight carrying capabilities either way. It is there to help control sway, and distribute some of the hitch weight to the front axle and make vehicle control better. Your towing capability has no limitations on wether you use a WDH or not