Class IV Hitch on '08 SD 250

[Duk]

I'm looking to purchase a hitch lock for my truck's factory installed hitch and I'm unsure if this is a class IV or Class V. Any help appreciated or if you any suggestions for traier security, both when hitched and when unhitched.
Thanks,
Duk

[arisley]

Class IV, not positive on 08, but I would bet it is.

[SmokeyWren]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm looking to purchase a hitch lock for my truck's factory installed hitch and I'm unsure if this is a class IV or Class V.

[/ QUOTE ]

There is no industry-wide definition of "Class IV" and "Class V" receivers.

Ford calls your receiver a Class V since it's rated @ 12,500 pounds W/D. But Reese/Drawtite says a Class V hitch must accept a 2.5" drawbar (ball mount), and the Ford 12.5k receiver will accept only a 2" drawbar.

So instead of Class IV or Class V, go by the size of the receiver. If it has a 2.5" opening for the drawbar, then it's a Class V for sure. But if it has a 2" opening for the drawbar, then your lock maker probably calls that a Class IV receiver - regardless of what Ford calls it. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]

For example, Lifelong hitch locks are both 5/8" diameter. The difference is in the length:
Class IV = 5/8" x 2 1/2" wide
Class V = 5/8" x 3 1/2" wide

So measure your receiver and determine if 2.5" is long enough. If it's not, then order the one that 3.5" long.

http://www.lifelonglocks.com/products.html

[Duk]

Thanks for the help guys!
Duk

[Wildriver2007]

The standard factory hitch on the '08 F-250 SD PSD is a Class III hitch in my opinion. The hitch has the following ratings - on the sticker on the hitch itself:

Weight Carrying - Using a Draw Bar and Hitch Ball:
6000 LB Maximum Gross Trailer Weight
600 LB Maximum Tongue Weight

Weight Distributing - Using an aftermarket weight distributing system which includes draw bar, hitch ball, spring bars, and snap-up brackets:
12500 LB Maximum Gross Trailer Weight
1250 LB Maximum Tongue Weight

The ratings are explained on page 18 of the Power Stroke Owner's Supplement Guide and on page 221 of the Super Duty 2008 owners guide.

I replaced the standard hitch with a Drawtite Class IV Ultra Frame Receiver Hitch, model DT-41931, for $ 338 installed. The Drawtite hitch has the following ratings:

Weight Carrying:
12000 LB Maximum Gross Trailer Weight
1200 LB Maximum Tongue Weight

Weight Distributing:
14000 LB LB Maximum Gross Trailer Weight
1400 LB Maximum Tongue Weight

The Drawtite looks very similar in construction to the standard factory hitch, but the side plates are 3/8" instead of 1/4" and the square tube across the hitch is 2 1/2" instead of 2".

I am using a solid Drawtite draw bar with Weight Carrying ratings that match the Hitch: 12000LB and 1200LB.

There are a lot of people out there pulling way more than the 6000 weight carrying rating of the standard hitch, using standard draw bars that are rated at 5000LB or 6000LB. There must be a large degree of safety margin or we would be reading about hitch failures.

Make your own choice. We decided to get the better hitch and draw bar since our 2 horse trailer may weigh 7000 to 8000 LB fully loaded.

Take the time to read up on weight carrying and weight distribution ratings. Google it and you will find tons of good info.