Class III or IV Trailer Hitch Recommendation for a 1998 Ford -150 Lariat

Question:

Im a little confused on the choices for a 1998 F150 hitch. The selection seems to hinge around hitches that fit that truck with a 20inch or smaller version or not fitting a 20inch spare. That year the standard truck rim was 16inch and my 50th anniversary edition had the 17inch option. I dont think 20inch was even possible. The outside tire diameter is over 25. My spare is mounted on the 17inch rim. What measurement are referring to - tire or rim? What hitch do you recommend for my truck? I need a 2inch receiver and Class III is good enough using for bike racks and light trailers. Might go class IV if price isnt much more. Also, I want only the receiver to show under the bumper, not the whole bar like some other hitches I looked at.

asked by: Steve D

Expert Reply:

The tech notes you see regarding spare tires and other tech notes can appear for several reasons. First, the hitches will fit a variety of vehicles in most cases. It is possible that the note really applies to another vehicle the hitches fit but the note is tied to the hitch so it will always appear with it.

Notes can also appear if we feel that they need to be added based on our experiences and customer responses. Since you do not have a 20 inch spare you can disregard that note. The measurement is referring to the rim size, not the tire diameter.

Curt trailer hitch # 13355 will fit your 1998 Ford F-150 and will provide you with 600 pounds of tongue weight capacity and 6,000 pounds of gross trailer weight capacity. The hitch receiver is the only part that will be visible as you can see in the included picture.

If you want to step up to a Class IV hitch you can use # C14355. This hitch will provide you 1,000 pounds tongue weight capacity and 10,000 pounds gross trailer weight capacity (please check the truck owners manual and if the tongue and gross trailer weight capacities are lower, go with the lower rating). This hitch also has just the receiver visible.

I have linked instructions and videos for both hitches. If and when you do some towing, for the Class III hitch use etrailer ball mount kit # EBMK4. For the Class IV hitch use # EBMK2416. And if you need to add trailer wiring use # 18252.