Recommended Heavy Duty Trailer Hitch for a 2010 Ford F-150 With a Factory Hitch

Updated 04/28/2021 | Published 04/27/2021

Products Featured in This Question

Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2"

(465)

$216.09

TorkLift SuperHitch Hero Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class IV - Dual 2" Receivers

(5)

$716.09

Question:

I have searched several questions/answers regarding tongue weight/hitch weight. But as a rookie, I am still confused. I have a 2010 F150 with towing package a hitch max using a WDH of 10,500 and a max tongue weight of 1,050lbs. I just bought a trailer that has a tongue weight of 975lbs and an empty weight of 6671lbs GVWR 8800lbs. I thought I had researched everything thoroughly Im sure youve heard that before I have read on this site that the WDH does not relieve tongue weight but distributes it. Once I load the trailer, my assumption will be that if I put too much in the front hold, I will be overweight and I dont even know if this includes the weight of the hitch itself. I may already be over on an empty trailer. My question is: can I replace the hitch with a class 5 to increase the tongue weight? I thought this FoMoCo hitch was a class 5 but it seems that it may be a class 4. Thank you for your help.

asked by: Bruce T

Expert Reply:

With there already being a factory hitch installed on your 2010 Ford F-150, we do have an option to up the tongue weight capacity. That being said, there are no Class V hitches that we have available for your vehicle, so this will be a Class IV hitch as well.

The TorkLift SuperHitch # TLF1005H is rated up to 1,500 pounds when used with a weight distribution system. The only problem with this hitch is that it sits under the factory hitch, which will affect how the weight distribution hitch is installed. By that I mean you may need to flip the shank over to the rise position to get everything level again. So not actually as bad as it sounds.

With the tongue weight of the trailer as high as it is, you will also want to make sure you are not loading front heavy. It is highly advisable to load as close to the center of the axle as possible, but a little rear heavy wouldn't hurt either.

It should also be noted that some times hitches can be rated higher than the vehicles they are intended to be installed on. You should always double check in your owners manual for the maximum towing capacities with and without weight distribution systems.

expert reply by: Lazer S