New Receiver and Hitch?

[Rick G]

I know you folks have probably answered this question many times, but if you would't mind answering one more time it would be appreciated greatly.

We have an 2014 Outback 298RE TT, the overall weight is 7,605#'s, carrying capacity is 1,395#'s, dry tongue weight is 925#'s, 35' Long. We estimate that on any trip we load between 440#'s & 460#'s either in the front of the trlr or behind the TV wheels.

The TV is a 2004 Dodge 3500, 2wd, drw, quad cab, 8' bed, 5.9 HO diesel, 2" receiver, 3.73 rear axle and the gross vehicle weight rating is 11,500#'s.

According to my local dodge dealer the on-board receiver is rated at 1,000# tongue with 10,000# tow. Based on the ratings of the receiver, information from Fastway Trailer Co./Progress Mfg, and from reading threads in this forum it doesn't appear that my current equipment is adequate which is an e2 1,000# round bar hitch.

Considering everything, I stopped by a local RV dealer and asked about purchasing a heavier receiver (Class V) and possibly the 14K Equalizer hitch. The dealer told me I would be basically wasting my money because all I need is my current setup of the receiver at 1K tongue and 10K tow and the e2 hitch.

Could someone please help and advise me as to what receiver and hitch I should have to travel safely around this great country. Thank you

[05kzep241]

It will be a stronger hitch and wd, but the truck capabilities will remain the same at 10k and 1k... I think a waste of money it is.

[Rick G]

Thanks 05Kzep241 for the response. After looking at all my numbers again and considering my current WD setup I'll have approximately 1365#'s on the tongue, then if we go semi-dry camping and add 53 gal of water and my generator (Honda 3800) I'm way over the 1,400# rating. Thanks again for your help. :)

[GaryWT]

That truck should be able to tow a small town. Hard to believe the hitch is so limiting. If all is correct, I would probably investigate beefing it up some as well.

[theeyres]

I sure wouldn't want to be towing with a tongue weight of 1400# with a 1000# hitch. Something isn't adding up. I'd do a little more checking around to see who doesn't seem to know what they are talking about. The receiver should take a lot more than 1000# but you may need a better equalizer. A 14,000# Equal-i-zer does sound like over kill. Call Equal-i-zer. They love to help and will give you the info you need as far as their hitches are concerned.

[Fixjet]

I upgraded the hitch on my Duramax as our Laredo is almost at 1400 lbs tongue weight loaded. That along with the EQUALIZER 14k works very well. I installed the Draw-tite Ultra Frame. It can handle 1900 tongue and 13000 gross. Doesn't flex like the OEM hitch. Cheap by my book at $225.

[Rick G]

Fixjet I have the same situation as you had because my tongue weight with weight distribution hitch/bars in place is 1,385lbs so we can only add 15lbs more to the TT before we exceed the ratings. To solve the problem, I ordered a Class V receiver capable of handling 1,200 without WD and 1,700 with WD.

The Class V receiver has a towing capacity with WD of 18,000 although, according to Dodge ratings the towing capacity of my truck is 13,950; I have to have the bigger receiver to handle the 1,400+ tongue weight. In addition, I also ordered the Equalizer 14K hitch at the recommendation of Progress Mfg., the 14K Equalizer WD hitch can handle a tongue weight up to 17K.

Thanks to all for your help. :)

[Fixjet]

Looks like your going to have a good setup. Haven't been a fan of the last 2 trucks OE
M hitches and I replaced them with stronger ones.

[Rick G]

:D Thanks for your help.