Is Front-Mounted Hitch Capacity for Winch Use Affected By Using High/Low Hitch Adapter
Updated 01/10/2017 | Published 01/09/2017
Products Featured in This Question
Question:
I had a question about a Front receiver hitch mounted 9000lb winch. I have installed a Curt front mounted receiver hitch on my Dodge Ram. I can put the Winch on the hitch fine but wanted to know if there is a product that will allow me to raise the height of the winch while on the vehicle and still allow for safe winch operation. I am looking at you 10K rated adapters but wanted to ask if they would be acceptable to use safely with a winch. can you help?
asked by: Greg J
Expert Reply:
Front-mounted hitches for Rams such as the Curt # C31015 have ratings for both vertical force and for linear pull, the latter being the case when used with a winch. This hitch has a 500-lb vertical load limit but a 5000-lb line pull limit.
If you were to use a hitch high/low adapter that gives you a height increase, such as # RM-048-4 from Roadmaster, you would retain your full hitch line pull capacity IF the winch cable remained absolutely level when in use. But if you had any deviation from a straight line pull, in other words any angle at all to the winch cable, then you would lose capacity because the hitch rating drops substantially from the level line-pull application to the vertical load application.
The trouble is that there is no real way to tell just how much actual capacity remains at any given cable angle so from a pure safety standpoint this is not a recommended practice.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Curt Front Mount Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - 2"
- Front Receiver Hitch
- Visible Cross Tube
- 500 lbs Vert Load
- CURT
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Continue Researching
- Shop: Front Mount Hitch
- Q&A: Can a Front Hitch and Grille Guard Be Used Together On A 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road
- Shop: Trailer Hitch
- Shop: EcoHitch Stealth Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class II - 1-1/4"
- Shop: Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2"
- Shop: TorkLift SuperHitch Magnum Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class V - 2-1/2" and 2"
- Shop: Curt Front Mount Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - 2"
- Shop: Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class V Commercial Duty - 2-1/2"
- Shop: EcoHitch Hidden Front Mount Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - 2"
- Shop: Curt Front Mount Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - 2"
- Q&A: Mounting Kit For Westin HDX Grille Guard On 2015 Ram 1500
- Q&A: Replacement Mounting Hardware For Westin HDX Grille Guards 57-2275 & 57-2270
- Article: Brake Controller 7- and 4-Way Installation Kit (ETBC7)
- Q&A: What is the Difference Between a Class II and a Class III Hitch?
- Shop: Trailer Wiring
- Search Results: trailer hitch
- Q&A: What Is An OEM Prep Package And How Do I Know If I Have It
- Article: Trailer Wiring Diagrams
- Search Results: trailer wiring
- Q&A: Installation Time for Blue Ox BX1128 Flat Tow Base Plate Kit for 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee
- Search Results: trailer tires and wheels
- Shop: Suspension Enhancement
- Article: How to Choose the Right Trailer Hitch Class
- Search Results: trailer jack
- Shop: Brake Controller
- Article: How to Measure for Trailer Hitch Drop
- Search Results: trailer hitch ball mount
- Q&A: What is the Difference Between a 4-Way and 7-Way Trailer Connector
- Article: 5 Things to Know About Weight Distribution Hitches
- Video: B&W Companion OEM 5th Wheel Hitch Manufacturer Breakdown
on Front Receiver Hitch
