Can Tongue Weight of Curt # C11041 be Increased for Use on a 1999 Ford Mustang

Question:

I will be pulling a 14’ Boat that weights 740-800lbs with an accurate tounge weight of 150. Im worried about driving down the road and the trailer bouncing up and down, increasing and decresing the amount of weight transfered to the tounge. Would love to hear any suggestions.

asked by: Dawson

Expert Reply:

The weight capacities of trailer hitches, like the Curt # C11041 for your 1999 ford Mustang, cannot be enhanced. Trailer hitches are tested extensively by the manufacturer, and these are the weight limits that they deem are safe. Adding some extra welding or material would change the weight ratings but there really is no way to tell if it would add or take away from weight capacities or not.

If you let me know what you will be using it for, I can make additional recommendations if necessary.

expert reply by: Jon G

Dawson

8/22/2018

Jon G.

8/22/2018

The best thing to do is make sure that your tongue weight (TW) is adjusted properly. Typically, you want to shoot for a TW that is 10-15% of the weight of the loaded trailer but that can be a little difficult to accomplish with a boat trailer sometimes. If you were to achieve that 10-15% this would put your TW range between 74 lbs - 120 lbs. Even if you are at the 150 lbs you will be okay with the 200 lb TW rating of the Curt Hitch # C11041, but you will still be okay. Since hitting bumps on the road is a normal part of towing a trailer the trailer hitch manufacturers have taken that into account when they determine the TW rating. However, you must keep in mind the TW rating of your vehicle. I looked up the owner's manual and on page 108 it says that your 1999 Mustang has a TW rating of 100 lbs. You will want to check your copy of the owner's manual to see if this is the same and it is you may be exceeding the weight limit of your vehicle. You will be limited to the 100 pound tongue weight even though the Curt hitch would allow more.