My Hitch Classification

[Subzilla]

I need some educating. My old hitch is stamped with the following info:

DEAD WEIGHT: Trailer weight - 4000 lbs, tongue load - 400 lbs

WEIGHT DISTRIBUTING: Trailer weight - 9500 lbs, tongue load - 1000 lbs

What class hitch do I have? I assume the "weight distributing" means the systems using the bars attached to the trailer?! Why is the weight distributing twice the capacity?

[DBlake]

Well I guess I'll jump in first. Tongue weights and load weights are controlled as much by the truck/car as by the type of hitch. I THINK the class hitches go about like this:

Class I - solid flat bar type hitch, mostly fixed
Class II - 1.25" square receiver
Class III - 2" square receiver
Class IV - 5th Wheel Set up in truck bed

I know there are hitch (tongue) weight and pull weight limits for each, but in most cases these are never reached as the vehicle limits are exceeded before the class limits are reached (but I guess you could do it by putting a Class I on a Duramax ).

[CleviteKid]

Receiver hitches rated for 10,000 lb. with 2-5/16" balls also rated for 10,000 lb. trailer weight are also considered Class IV hitches.

Dr. Lee

[Subzilla]

I didn't think the class was as dependent on the style as much as what it was built for. Maybe I'm wrong. I do have the 2" receiver.

[DBlake]

Well, I knew I should kept my trap shut. At leased I did learn or was reminded of something. It does seem probable that mobile homes are moved with class IV hitches and their set-up is similar to a "bumper" pull. And, it does leave out the goose neck set up which are very heavy duty too. It seems logical that each class would have a load range. The Uhaul web site has some information concerning the classes. I am not sure if this is accurate but this is what they advertise:

Class - Tongue Wt/Trailer Wt (lbs)
Class 1 - 200/2000
Class 2 - 300/3500
Class 3 w/o wt dist. - 300-500/5000
Class 3 w/ wt dist. - 750/7500
Class 4 w/ wt. dist. - 1200/12,000
5th Wheel/gooseneck - Truck dep/24,000

How accurate this is I have no idea. Perhaps someone could chime in were the official numbers are. They must be a Automotive Engineering Society Standard. Perhaps a member on this board could look it up. Being an EE this is not my speciality.