Material Size and Thickness on Curt Class IV Hitch C14011

Published 02/04/2016

Question:

this hitch claims a significantly higher weight rating than the stock hitch on my 2004 ford excursion 4x4, but looks to be virtually identical. what can you tell me about the size and thickness of the tubing and mounting plates?

asked by: Ryan M

Expert Reply:

The main cross tube of Curt hitch # C14011 is a 3-inch square cross-section and has a thickness of .188-inches. The mounting flanges are thicker still at .31-inches.

The Curt 2-inch Class IV hitch receiver # C14011 does carry substantial tongue weight (TW) and gross towing weight (GTW) ratings of 1200-lbs and 12,000-lbs, respectively. Installation of this hitch requires removal of the factory-installed hitch. That hitch will be a 2-inch Class III likely to be rated for about 500-lbs TW.

Hitch capacity is a function of several factors: strength at the vehicle's frame mounting points, hitch material thickness, mechanical design and how the hitch mounting flanges contact the frame. For example, more contact surface between the hitch flanges and vehicle frame usually means more capacity.

No matter what the hitch rating is, the vehicle's own rated capacities still apply.

expert reply by: Adam R