Determining Trailer Hitch Capacity Based on Class Rating

Updated 05/09/2019 | Published 05/08/2019

Question:

SO many contradictory statements. One says Class III has a TW of 600 lbls another says 800 lbs., and yet another says 1,000 lbs. Not all are from etrailer, but a couple are. Hard to establish credibility and know what the correct information is. Thx PS I have a Dodge Promaster van, and the manual doesnt say anything, just a link to a website. And the website has contradictory information. None of it says what the factory installed hitch is rated at e.g., III or IV. Sad

asked by: Mike C

Helpful Expert Reply:

Trailer hitch Class ratings are a good way to group hitches based on their strength and size. The higher the Class the higher capacity but not all Class III hitches are equal, meaning you cannot determine a hitch's particular tongue weight or towing weight limit by looking at its Class rating alone. As you are finding trailer hitches within the same Class can have different weight capacities.

Typically Class III trailer hitches can have a towing weight capacity of 3,500 all the way up to 8,000 pounds but there can still be exceptions on either end of this spectrum.

If your Dodge Promaster Van is equipped with a factory hitch there should hopefully be a sticker somewhere on the hitch itself that lists its specific capacities. If you can't find anything there and didn't have luck with the owner's manual then your best option is to contact at local Dodge dealer with your VIN. They should be able to use this information to tell you the exact capacity of the hitch that was installed on your vehicle at the factory

If you can tell me the model year of your Promaster I might be able to track down some more specific information for you or recommend some towing accessories you might need.

expert reply by: Chris R