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Old 04-30-2013, 01:30 PM   #1
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new to RVs...WD hitch question

Ive done some searching around the forum but I wanted to find out for sure.

I have a 2006 Dodge 3500 with a class 4 factory hitch.
I just purchased an Apex 298BHS. The base weight is 5290 and the hitch weight is 630. GVW on the trailer is 7500.

My question is....do I need a WD hitch if my truck hitch is rated at 1200? And if I do need a WD hitch...what size would you recommend?

Thanks in advance from a newbie
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Old 04-30-2013, 01:49 PM   #2
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Make sure about that rating. My F150 hitch has TWO ratings; one without WD (500 pounds) and one WITH WD (1,150 pounds). You might need WD to get to that 1,200 you mentioned.
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Old 04-30-2013, 01:58 PM   #3
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Never go by dry weights because no one camps in an empty camper. Amazing how my 21 footer grew almost 1000lbs fully loaded for camping.

Check your hitch, and see what your limits are without WDH. Then add about 1500 to your dry weight, and take 12 to 15% of that to estimate tongue weight. Bet you get close to 1000lbs and 99% sure you will ned a WDH.
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Old 04-30-2013, 02:21 PM   #4
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Make sure about that rating. My F150 hitch has TWO ratings; one without WD (500 pounds) and one WITH WD (1,150 pounds). You might need WD to get to that 1,200 you mentioned.

I've done more searching and I can't find a concrete answer about that. Some guys are saying its 1200 with WD and 600 without. Some say its straight 1200. Very confusing and difficult to find a solid answer.
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Old 04-30-2013, 02:24 PM   #5
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Best not to go by what others say with that rating. Usually, you can find this in two or three places. Check the receiver and your manual's towing section first.
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Old 04-30-2013, 02:25 PM   #6
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Never go by dry weights because no one camps in an empty camper. Amazing how my 21 footer grew almost 1000lbs fully loaded for camping.

Check your hitch, and see what your limits are without WDH. Then add about 1500 to your dry weight, and take 12 to 15% of that to estimate tongue weight. Bet you get close to 1000lbs and 99% sure you will ned a WDH.

So, if thats the numbers I come up with and I end up that I do need a WD hitch...does that mean I would need to buy a 1000lb tongue weight WD hitch? Sorry if thats a dumb question but I'm trying to learn as I go here lol

TBH...I'm leaning towards buying one anyway just for a little better control and hopefully a little less sway. I had a local guy with a used WD but it only had a tongue weight of 600lbs and a GTW of 10,000. The GTW was fine but I'm still confused on the tongue weight thing
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Old 04-30-2013, 02:27 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by ramman View Post
Ive done some searching around the forum but I wanted to find out for sure.

I have a 2006 Dodge 3500 with a class 4 factory hitch.
I just purchased an Apex 298BHS. The base weight is 5290 and the hitch weight is 630. GVW on the trailer is 7500.

My question is....do I need a WD hitch if my truck hitch is rated at 1200? And if I do need a WD hitch...what size would you recommend?

Thanks in advance from a newbie
first off, class IV, are you sure? that is 10K limit (generally.) My Ford has a Class V. Is it possible you have an aftermarket hitch?

And even class 5 is only rated at 1K non-WDH.

With a GVWR of 7500, assuming 15% tongue weight on max you would be at 1125, so over that 1K figure.

While I am pretty sure your 3500 can handle that trailer without any WDH at all, if it were me I would still look at it just for comfort. Putting some weight back up front makes the truck drive better.
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Old 04-30-2013, 02:29 PM   #8
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1200 lbs on a WC hitch (non-WD) will remove a LOT of weight from the front wheels. Can't calculate for you without your wheelbase location of hitch wrt rear axle. You likely have plenty of payload capacity, but would still need a WDH for proper handling. But I agree that vehicles almost always have dual ratings. 1 for WC and 1 for WD. The hitch ratings may or may not match that rating. But the hitch (if OEM) will always be equal to or greater than what you find in the manual. It's that whole "weakest link" thing.

You need to find your owner's manual, and read up in the towing section. Everything you need should be there. If you don't have the manual, get one. Check the dealer or online.
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Old 04-30-2013, 02:32 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ramman View Post

So, if thats the numbers I come up with and I end up that I do need a WD hitch...does that mean I would need to buy a 1000lb tongue weight WD hitch? Sorry if thats a dumb question but I'm trying to learn as I go here lol

TBH...I'm leaning towards buying one anyway just for a little better control and hopefully a little less sway. I had a local guy with a used WD but it only had a tongue weight of 600lbs and a GTW of 10,000. The GTW was fine but I'm still confused on the tongue weight thing
I use the 600s on my trailer. I would go with the 1000s. With the 1 ton, you definitely don't need to crank on them.
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Old 04-30-2013, 02:33 PM   #10
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Best not to go by what others say with that rating. Usually, you can find this in two or three places. Check the receiver and your manual's towing section first.
I checked the hitch and there is nothing on it that I can see. The bumper has specs imprinted on it but its the ratings for the bumper hitch only not the class 4

No manual unfortunately
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Old 04-30-2013, 02:36 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ramman View Post
Ive done some searching around the forum but I wanted to find out for sure.

I have a 2006 Dodge 3500 with a class 4 factory hitch.
I just purchased an Apex 298BHS. The base weight is 5290 and the hitch weight is 630. GVW on the trailer is 7500.

My question is....do I need a WD hitch if my truck hitch is rated at 1200? And if I do need a WD hitch...what size would you recommend?

Thanks in advance from a newbie
As far as what size WDH:
Loaded camper weight. Use GVWR (7500) or dry/shipped weight plus 1000 (aprox 6300 lbs). Call it 6500. I highly doubt you will get to 7500!!!
You always want 10-15% of loaded trailer weight on the ball, as tongue weight (TW). 6500*12.5% = 812 lbs
For kicks: 6500*15% = 975
For more kicks: 7500*12.5% = 938 lbs
So, you would likely get by with a 1,000 lbs WDH. But 1200 lbs WDH would not hurt you.
For reference, my trailer isn't much over 5000 lbs loaded, and I use a 1000 lbs rated WDH.
I highly recommend the Equil-i-zer brand.
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Old 04-30-2013, 02:38 PM   #12
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I checked the hitch and there is nothing on it that I can see. The bumper has specs imprinted on it but its the ratings for the bumper hitch only not the class 4

No manual unfortunately
The receiver (if stock) will have a sticker on it. If aftermarket, you need to find some identifying mark on it to try and trace it down. Usually they have a sticker to advertise brand, but at least will have a model number inscribed somewhere.

Can you post a picture? Spent the last three weeks looking at those vintage trucks and used to own a 2005 2500, I can probably identify for you at least if is OEM.

How did you decided it was class IV, just going by the receiver size?
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Old 04-30-2013, 02:43 PM   #13
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The receiver (if stock) will have a sticker on it. If aftermarket, you need to find some identifying mark on it to try and trace it down. Usually they have a sticker to advertise brand, but at least will have a model number inscribed somewhere.

Can you post a picture? Spent the last three weeks looking at those vintage trucks and used to own a 2005 2500, I can probably identify for you at least if is OEM.

How did you decided it was class IV, just going by the receiver size?
I called my dealership that has my truck info on the computer. He typed it in and said it was Class 4. Honestly not sure why the factory wouldn't have put a Class 5 in a 1 ton truck.
It looks to be a factory hitch. It uses a 3-4" Round tube that runs through the frame and is welded in place.
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Old 04-30-2013, 02:48 PM   #14
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No manual unfortunately
OK. I don't know if you have gas or diesel so check here for the right manual...

My Ram Trucks: Ram Owners Service Manuals - Ram Cars, Minivans, SUVs

Also, you can plug in your VIN here and might get some info ...

2013 RAM Trucks | Towing & Payload Specifications | RAM Trucks

Good luck!
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Old 04-30-2013, 02:49 PM   #15
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weird - though do not put too much stock in class IV vs class V, the factory tweaks them to their own settings anyway.

If it is the factory hitch (and the round tube tells me it almost certainly is) then just go with the factory nuymbers. pulled this from Dodge tow guide here:
Dodge Towing Guide - By Vehicle Results



While it's not listed in the charts, tongue weight [i] is also an important consideration. The recommended tongue weight is between 10 & 15% of the trailer weight. 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.This requirement overrides any recommended GTW rating, between 10% and 15% of gross trailer weight (GTW). Additionally, the GAWRs and GVWRs should never be exceeded.
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