What Is Straight Line Pull Rating On Curt Front Mount Trailer Hitch On 2015 Ford F-150

Updated 10/25/2024 | Published 09/02/2016

Question:

The overview for the Curt front hitch says 5000 pound line capacity but when you click into more info it says 9000 pound line capacity and 5000 trailer capacity. What is the correct line pull capacity - 5000 pounds or 9000 pounds? Thanks 2015 F150 super crew ecoboost with 6inch lift kit BDS

asked by: Mark F

Expert Reply:

The capacities listed are specified for the way you use the trailer hitch, part # C31083.

If you are using the hitch for a trailer the capacity is 5,000-lbs due to the stress vertically as well as the stress of pulling a trailer.

The 9000-lb straight line pull rating is listed for winch use with the trailer hitch. In the instructions on page 4 the maximum line pull rating is achieved by using a winch with the winch lines at a certain angle. I have attached the diagrams included with the trailer hitch that explains the straight line pull you can check out.

expert reply by: Jeffrey L

click to enlarge

Chris R.

10/25/2024

Hi I have this hitch mount. I want to mount my 12000 lb rated winch to it and don't have the clearance needed I need a receiver extension. Most don't have a straight line pull rating, though I see a couple with 10k tow ratings. Would this be adequate, or can you recommend one for me? Need a single and a dual if possible. Thanks!

Kyle S.

10/25/2024

@ChrisR Unfortunately I cannot, with the reason being all hitch extenders are going to reduce the capacity of the hitch by 50%, or reduce it to the capacity of the extender. That includes both ratings for the hitch, even with a 10k extender like # GY89SR (which still only has a 500 lb tongue weight/vertical load rating). Reason being an extender gives you double the leverage points, which can lead to failure. I know it's not what you wanted to hear and if I had a good solution I'd love to offer it. The longest winch plate we have for a hitch is one that gives you a max 5-1/8" from the center of the hitch pin hole to the plate, the Curt # C31010.

Chris R.

10/25/2024

@KyleS THanks. So plates like the C31010, extended all the way out, would still run into the same issue as an extender though no? Thanks, Chris

Kyle S.

10/25/2024

@ChrisR Great question, and no, it wouldn't do that, because it would work the same as a ball mount, if that makes sense. A hitch extender is a separate piece so there are multiple points that aren't solid. For example, if you're using a mounting plate, that would go into a hitch extender which would go into the hitch receiver. That removes the overall strength/integrity of the set up compared to just putting mounting plate in the hitch receiver (hopefully I did a good job of explaining that and it makes sense).