Recommended Trailer Hitch and Extension for 2008 Ram 3500 Dually with Dual Receivers

Question:

I have a 2008 Ram 3500 dually with factory hitch. I thought it was just bolted on and are reading that it is welded behind the bumper? I have no problem leaving the old hitch on as I have a dual hitch extension for my camper. My question is what would be the distance between the bottom of the factory hitch to the top of this hitch after installation. I am trying to figure out if Ill need to make up 3 new brackets that bind the dual extension hitches together as the distance may be greater than what I have now. I have an existing dual receiver but it has bent slightly due to TW of the 1200 lb rated factory hitch due to the torque of the 43inch extension and I am trying to fortify the system!! I will have to cut off the welded bottom receiver I had welded on to the factory hitch in order for this new hitch to fit under but figure the distance between the two receivers would likely be different? My existing measurement between the bottom of the top extension hitch and the top of the bottom extension hitch is about 1inch apart and there is no room for play in the brackets that hold them together. I dont know the TW of my trailer but figure it was made with the duel axels too far back on the frame causing excessive TW!!!! MY old single axel trailer had better TW with the same load.!!! Sorry for long question.

asked by: Nigel

Expert Reply:

The Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class V XD - 2" # C15409 is designed to fit below the factory hitch receiver on your 2008 Ram 3500 dually. The top of the Curt receiver will be 8-1/2 inches from the bottom of the frame where it attaches. I confirmed this with my tech contact at Curt and have also attached a video to assist. Use of a custom extender is required for this combination.

The torque of a long extension will drastically impact the trailer hitch receiver. A better option is to use the TorkLift SuperHitch Original Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class V - 2" # TLD1102 which is designed to use the Supertruss # TLE1542 which is a 42 inch extension with a tongue weight of 600 lbs without weight distribution or up to 1,200 lbs with a weight distribution system. If you need a longer extension # TLE1548 is a 48 inch extension with the same tongue weight restrictions with and without weight distribution system as listed for the 42 inch extension.

If you'd like a recommendation for a weight distribution system, let me know.

expert reply by: Jason S