Curt Class V Hitch for 1997 Ford F-150

Question:

97 f150 2wd. I dont plan on hauling anything massive but may have to haul trailer full of construction debris from time to time. which rating should I .

asked by: Dan N

Expert Reply:

The correct hitch for your 1997 Ford F-150 2WD will depend on the bed type, either stepside or regular, and in terms of towing capacity you can select a hitch class that matches the truck's own capabilities or just go for a heavy-duty Class V. All hitches for the truck appear on the linked page but I suggest you use the Class V Curt hitch # C15303 so long as you have a 20-inch or smaller spare tire. This USA-made hitch fits both flareside/stepside beds and regular bed models. It offers the best value in a Class V hitch and it includes all mounting hardware.

The online owners manual I could access does not list a trailer weight spec but it is easy to determine using information on the door jamb sticker. Find the GCWR (gross combined weight rating, the most the truck and trailer together can weigh) and from this subtract the loaded weight of the truck. I found data saying the curb weight of the truck is 3850-lbs so you would subtract 4000-lbs from the GCWR figure to find the truck's maximum towable trailer weight.

expert reply by: Adam R