Trailer Hitch Option for a 2011 Ram 1500 Bighorn with OEM Hitch Under the Bumper

Question:

My vehicle is a 2011 Dodge Ram 1500 Bighorn Quad Cab Hemi Package w/dual exhaust. The truck has a factory installed hitch hidden under the rear bumper, and it takes a ball connection through the bumper itself. 10,000 lbs. towing capacity. I want to add a hitch receiver in order to get the trailer connection off and AWAY from my rear bumper. Does this part fit my setup? Do you have other parts that will fit it?

asked by: John M

Expert Reply:

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 of towing bumpers on Ram trucks, but I am not familiar with a Ram OEM hitch that uses the rear bumper.

To determine if one of our trailer hitches will fit on your truck, you will want to look at the round cross tube that runs between the frame rails of your truck. This will be between the spare tire and rear bumper. If your OEM hitch is welded to that cross tube, then an aftermarket trailer hitch will not fit on your truck because the aftermarket hitch must bolt to the backside of the cross tube.

I have attached a photo of a typical OEM hitch on a Ram 1500 for you to compare to your truck. The OEM hitch is welded to the round cross tube and would interfere with the installation of an aftermarket hitch. I have also attached an installation video for the Curt Class IV Trailer Hitch, # 14374, so you can see how the hitch uses the round cross tube to install. If your hitch does not interfere with the bolt holes on the cross tube or the underside of the cross tube, then you may be able to use the Curt hitch that I referenced. This hitch also has a 10,000 lb towing capacity and a 1,000 lb tongue weight capacity.

expert reply by: John H