WARNING
Properly adjust the weight distributing
hitch so the rear of the bumper is no
higher than the measured reference
height when the trailer is attached. If the
rear bumper is higher than the measured
reference height when loaded, the vehicle
may handle unpredictably which could
cause a loss of vehicle control and cause
serious personal injury or property
damage.
Sway control device
Sudden maneuvers, wind gusts, and buffeting
caused by other vehicles can affect trailer han-
dling. Sway control devices may be used to help
control these affects. If you choose to use one,
contact a reputable trailer hitch supplier to make
sure the sway control device will work with the
vehicle, hitch, trailer and the trailer’s brake sys-
tem. Follow the instructions provided by the
manufacturer for installing and using the sway
control device.
Class I hitch
Class I trailer hitch equipment (receiver, ball
mount and hitch ball) can be used to tow trailers
of a maximum weight of 2,000 lb (907 kg) .
Class II hitch
Class II trailer hitch equipment (receiver, ball
mount and hitch ball) can be used to tow trailers
of a maximum weight of 3,500 lb (1,587 kg).
Class III hitch
Class III trailer hitch equipment (receiver, ball
mount and hitch ball) can be used to tow trailers
of a maximum weight of 5,000 lb (2,268 kg).
Class IV hitch
Class IV hitches are weight carrying (WC) and
weight distributing (WD) hitches depending on
the vehicle and hitch specifications. Not all Class
IV hitches are rated to be both. See the specific
hitch for that information. Class IV trailer hitch
equipment (receiver, ball mount and hitch ball)
used as weight carrying are rated up to 10,000 lb
(4,535 kg) gross trailer weight (GTW) with a
maximum trailer tongue weight (TW) of 1000 lb
(453 kg) . Class IV hitches used for weight dis-
tributing are rated up to 14,000 lb (6,350 kg)
gross trailer weight (GTW) with a maximum trailer
tongue weight (TW) of 1400 lb (635 kg) . A Class
IV hitch usually has a 2square receiver opening.
A higher class drawbar does not increase the
towing capacity of the hitch. To use this class of
hitch for weight distribution requires a weight
distribution system. Class IV hitches attach to the vehicle frame only. A weight distributing hitch
should be used to tow trailers that weigh over
5,000 lb (2,268 kg).
Your vehicle may be equipped with Class IV
weigh distributing trailer hitch that has a
14,000 lb (6,350 kg) maximum weight rating, but
your vehicle is only capable of towing the maxi-
mum trailer weights shown in the “Towing
Load/Specification” chart in this section.
5th wheel/gooseneck
A 5th wheel or gooseneck trailer can be towed by
installing a 5th wheel or gooseneck trailer hitch.
These types of hitches are mounted in the bed of
the pick-up. A professional trailer equipment sup-
plier should install these hitches as it is very
important to mount the hitch correctly to distrib-
ute the king pin weight for the proper load carry-
ing and sway control performance.
The king pin weight should be 15% of the fully
loaded trailer. Make sure the king pin weight does
not cause the gross vehicle weight to exceed the
Gross Maximum Weight Rating or the rear axle
weight to exceed the Rear Gross Axle Weight
rating. For additional information, refer to “Maxi-
mum load limits” in this section.
Technical and consumer information10-43
