Are Trailer Hitches Certified and Documented for Weight Capacity

Updated 06/18/2014 | Published 06/17/2014

Question:

Hello When I buy this trailer hitch – do you provide any type of official document from Chevrolet that my truck combined with your hitch can handle this GWT. Background and truck I am from Sweden and the car inspection demands that GTW is certified both by the vehicle manufacture and the hitch manufacture. Truck Chevrolet K10 1984 – Model CK 10903 – What I need is some kind of official document certificate from GM, that my truck combined with one of your hitches can handle at least 8000LBS GWT. I can understand if this is not in your normal scope but I am pre paired to pay some extra $ for this. Can you help me with this ?

asked by: Bertil C

Expert Reply:

Trailer hitches and vehicles often have different ratings. The trailer hitch, # BWHDRH25122, itself is rated for 16,000 pounds gross trailer weight and 1,600 pounds tongue weight. But if the truck is rated lower, which it likely is, then you have to go by the lower rating. The truck owners manual should state what its towing capacity is.

The trailer hitch meets the specifications for trailer hitches required by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and the US department of transportation. There will be markings on the hitch and in its instructions indicating this.

For the truck you should just need what is specified in the owners manual and/or the sticker that is usually located in the door jamb indicating the capacity of the truck. Otherwise you would need to speak with someone at GM for any other type of documentation.

expert reply by: Michael H