Trailer Hitch Recommendation for 2011 Ram Pickup with Factory Bumper Hitch

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Question:

I have a 2011 ram 1500 4X2 with a bumper ball hitch. tow ratings at bumper are gvwr 5000lbs and 500lbs hitch. the trailer we are looking at has dry weight 4300lbs and 400lbs@ hitch, and is tandem axle. Q. which would be best, class III hitch receiver with adjustable ride height ball or class IV receiver with adjustable ride height ball. or just a weight distribution kit with factory bumper ball ? truck has a tow rating of up to 6700 lbs.

asked by: Kevin

0

Expert Reply:

For your 2011 Ram 1500 without a factory hitch, I recommend the Class IV hitch like the Curt Trailer Hitch # 14374.

You could use an adjustable ball mount, like # C45900. This adjustable ball mount fits 2 inch hitch receivers, has a 6 inch drop, a 5 inch rise, and is rated for use with trailers up to 14,000 pounds.

Because of the weight of your trailer, I also recommend using a weight distribution system. I have attached a help article with common questions about weight distribution for you.

I recommend the Reese Strait-Line Weight Distribution with Sway Control System # RP66083. This system uses trunnion bars to allow you greater ground clearance than traditional round bars. This system works to stop trailer sway before it begins. It will fit trailers with tongue weights between 400-800 pounds, and has a gross towing capacity of 8,000 pounds. To make sure that your tongue weight will fall between 400-800 pounds, you will want to add the loaded and ready to tow tongue weight of the trailer to the weight of any cargo in the bed of the truck behind the rear axle.

The system uses a hitch ball with a shank diameter of 1-1/4 inches. If you need a 2 inch diameter ball, I recommend # A-90.

It is important to remember that the trailer's weight is limited to the maximum amount that your vehicle can tow. A weight distribution system will not increase your vehicle's towing capacity.

expert reply by: Victoria B

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Answer 1

The reason that aftermarket hitches cannot be installed on a 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 with a factory installed trailer hitch is because the hitch is welded to the rear cross member and cannot be removed. It the hitch on your truck was installed by the…

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Answer 2

To install a receiver like the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver #14374 your 2017 Ram 1500 you will have to remove the factory rear bumper along with the receiver. The Curt and other aftermarket receivers are designed to fit the factory class III rear…

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Answer 3

All of the aftermarket trailer hitches that we carry for your 2011 Dodge Ram 1500 Bighorn state that they will not fit with a factory installed hitch, however, this typically refers to the factory hitches that hang below the rear bumper. I have heard…

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Answer 4

Yes, you can install a heavier duty hitch on your 2018 Ram 1500. You will need to remove the factory hitch first there are no options to add one and keep the factory hitch. Once this is done I recommend replacing it with the Curt Trailer Hitch item…

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Answer 5

The key for a weight distribution system to properly move trailer tongue weight forward to the tow vehicle's front axle is to match the system to the trailer's fully-loaded tongue weight. Systems rated too low will not have enough tension to…

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Answer 6

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 7

For sag from towing a trailer the best recommendation I can make is actually a weight distribution system. Suspension enhancement will help level your truck while towing. But the advantage to a weight distribution system is that it levels the vehicle…

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Answer 8

There is only one difference between the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver #C13176 and etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver #e98909 that fit your 2020 Chevrolet Colorado, which is the finish. The Curt trailer hitch has a glossy black finish while the etrailer…

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Answer 9

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

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Answer 10

The OEM prep package consists of 4 "pucks" in the bed of the truck that will allow you to drop in puck style hitches for easy installation and removal, that gives you a completely clear bed when not in use. The B&W Companion OEM 5th…

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Answer 11

You will have to go with a sliding hitch to allow the trailer to make tight turns. For a trailer 8 feet wide the only bed length that's going to allow 90 degree turns without a slider is a stationary hitch. That being said you have two options.…

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Answer 12

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Trailer Hitch Recommendation for 2011 Ram Pickup with Factory Bumper Hitch

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