Mobey
Ontario Canada
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Joined: 06/14/2006
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I noticed that a lot of people buy a bigger hitch than need I am assuming for safety reasons.
I have a 16k Husky FW Hitch and have recently purchased a new trailer 12000lbs unloaded with a gross vehicle weight of 15000 lbs. That leaves an extra 1k before the hitch reaches capacity at full gvw.
Do you think I need to buy a bigger hitch?
Regards
2008 Carriage Cameo 35SB3 replaced_ 2007 Durango 351RK, 2006 GMC Seirra 2500HD, Air Bags, Rancho RS9000X, Legand 7X15 Bike Trailer/Living Quarters Home of 2005 Harley Davidson ElectraGlide Ultra Classic.
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Skihoser
Lead, SD
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Joined: 06/11/2003
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As long as you stay at or under your rig's GVWR, you will be fine. Of course, if you go over the 15K you may have other problems with your rig - axles, tires, structural problems???? Happy camping.
08 Chevy 3500 4X4 LTZ D/A Ext Cab, All the options, TrailerSaver Air Hitch.
07 HitchHiker Discover America 33CK RSB, Quad slide
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hemi-kz
Eastern PA
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Joined: 06/14/2006
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You're fine, the safety margin is built-in to the ratings.
I could be wrong, but I think most people buy more capacity than needed because they want to leave their options open for future upgrades.
2007 KZ 22 Sportster Hybrid Toy Hauler
2003 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 Hemi Quad Cab Short Bed
1990 Harley Electra Glide Classic
2005 Harley Sportster 883L
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doughere
Mooresville NC
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Joined: 10/27/2005
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I think a lot of people, myself included; go from a 15,000 to a 16,000 lb. hitch because most the 15's have movement in one direction only(they tilt up and down only). most 16's have movement in both directions up / down and side to side. I would not have gone from 15,000 to 16,000 for my 7,000 trailer otherwise.
Doug
* This post was
edited 04/11/08 03:07pm by doughere *
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Roy T
Dodge City, Kansas
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Joined: 09/16/2007
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I agree safety margins are built in. I read how much on my 15K RBW but can't remember where. They don't recommend exceeding the rating for any reason though.
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Martyn
Bennett, Colorado, USA
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doughere wrote:I think a lot of people, myself included; go from a 15,000 to a 16,000 lb. hitch because the 15's have movement in one direction only(they tilt up and down only). 16's have movement in both directions up / down and side to side. I would not have gone from 15,000 to 16,000 for my 7,000 trailer otherwise.
Doug
My 15k slider has side-to-side tilt.
2004.5 Dodge Ram 2500 QC CTD 4x4 SLT; 2007 Coachmen Chaparral 267RLS;
Reese 15K Slider;Prodigy;JT Stabilizers;2 Honda EU2000i's;
2006 Glastron MX175;
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2005 Dodge Magnum for the DW
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jlnix
Georgia
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Joined: 07/20/2006
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No!
1992 Avion 35.5 5th Wheel
2006 F-350 King Ranch
6 liter PSD Torqshift Tow Command
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Cat320
Western AR
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Joined: 11/01/2005
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Mobey wrote:I noticed that a lot of people buy a bigger hitch than need I am assuming for safety reasons.
I have a 16k Husky FW Hitch and have recently purchased a new trailer 12000lbs unloaded with a gross vehicle weight of 15000 lbs. That leaves an extra 1k before the hitch reaches capacity at full gvw.
Do you think I need to buy a bigger hitch?
Regards
Nope.
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Vulcaneer
Northern New England
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Joined: 10/17/2007
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You don't need a bigger hitch.
My Trailer weighs about 14K loaded. I bought an 18K hitch, because I cannot imagine ever moving onto a 5er that would exceed that weight. And if I ever do, I'll need a much bigger truck. But I wanted a hitch that would last me thru several future upgrades.
2006 F350 V10 4X4 SC SB SRW 4.30 22,500 GCWR
Keystone Sprinter 33'9" 12,500 GVWR
Pullrite Super Glide 18K
Super Duty, Super Cab, SuperGlide
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