truckjunkie

Hi - just a question for any lawyers or folks 'in the know' about this question: can someone point me to a law that states that hitch manufacturers or auto manufactuers that have vehicles sold with hitches installed must affix a sticker or stamp on the hitch that advertises it's capacities - both weight carrying and weight distributing? If any of you have been following these two threads: https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...threadid=52428
or
https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...threadid=51363

you'll see that the factory-installed 'Class IV' hitches on the 2004.5 2500's (maybe others too - I don't know) do not have any capacities affixed to them. I've been sending emails back and forth with DC, and haven't gotten an answer I'm satisfied with, and am wondering if I could find a law that states this information must be affixed to the hitch, they may pay more attention to my requests.

Any help is appreciated

pappyman

Try asking a hitch builder like Reese they should know if by law the hitch needs the rating on the hitch

http://www.reese-hitches.com/customer_service.htm

phox_mulder

I doubt Lawyers are smart enough to drive a Cummins.







phox

jazz_kt2000

OUCH!!!!! LOL

DSjockey

My hitch has a sticker It looks like a stock hitch

greatwhite

I don't remember the #s off the top of my head, but doesn't the class of the hitch tell you the max tow load and hitch wt rating?
Like class I = 1000lbs and 150lbs tongue, class II = 2500lbs and 200lbs tongue, class III = 5000lbs and 500lbs tongue (more w/ equalizer) Class IV = 7500lbs and 500lbs tongue (more with eq) Class V = 10,000lbs and 500lbs tongue (more w/eq). Don't quote me on gtw and tongue wts, but I'm quite sure they would be posted at Reese or Hidden Hitch, or Algonquin's sites. I'm quite sure that on the hitch is stamped Class I, II, III, IV, or V. But I could be wrong , I was one other time Rick

Buzz

oh yeah?

phox_mulder

Buzz

...as the kids would say. Just kidding! Me? A lawyer??

truckjunkie

I've looked all over the hitch, and there are no stamps or stickers affixed anywhere. I even dropped the spare tire to give me room to look around more. Nothing... Other members have stated the same situation.

Also, this hitch appears to double as the crossmember at the back of the truck.

I did send an email to Reese to see if they could point me to a law or legal statement which requires this information be posted on the hitch.

I'll let you know what happens.

Thanks....

joel

Isn't that info in the User's Manual?

Casey Balvert

Yes, it is in the Owner's Manual

BrakeSmartSteve

This may answer your question truckjunkie.

I did a search in the Code of Federal Regulations and I will attempt to cut and paste what I found. The only question I have is the definintion of "tow-bar." I have yet to find a clear cut definintion but I believe that it is the same thing we call a "hitch."

This is a government publication so it does read like Shakespeare and requires reader interpretation. It really does try to paint issues with a wide brush. I will skip way down to where marking of "tow-bars" is mentioned but it also seems important to read everything before this note is spoke of. There is quite a bit of information before this and I can lead you to the website if you would like. It is noted on page 1123, #9. I will copy and paste most of that page.

Hope this helps one way or the other. Like I said, I cannot say that this CFR refers to "hitches." But, it does sound like it would apply. I do have several attorneys in the family and I will ask if they may have any insight.

Good luck-Steve

This is taken from: TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION

CHAPTER III--FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION,
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

PART 393--PARTS AND ACCESSORIES NECESSARY FOR SAFE OPERATION--Table of Contents

Subpart F--Coupling Devices and Towing Methods

Sec. 393.70 Coupling devices and towing methods, except for driveaway-
towaway operations.

(2) Tow-bars, jointed. The tow-bar shall be so constructed as to
freely permit motion in both horizontal and vertical planes between the
towed and towing vehicles. The means used to provide the motion shall be
such as to prohibit the transmission of stresses under normal operation
between the towed and towing vehicles, except along the longitudinal
axis of the tongue or tongues.
(3) Tow-bar fastenings. The means used to transmit the stresses to
the chassis or frames of the towed and towing vehicles may be either
temporary structures or bumpers or other integral parts of the vehicles:
Provided, however, That the means used shall be so constructed,
installed, and maintained that when tested as an assembly, failure in
such members shall not occur when the weakest new tow-bar which is
permissible under paragraph (h)(1) of this section is subjected to the
tests given therein.
(4) Means of adjusting length. On tow-bars, adjustable as to length,
the means used to make such adjustment


[[Page 1123]]

shall fit tightly and not result in any slackness or permit the tow-bar
to bend. With the tow-bar supported rigidly at both ends and with a load
of 50 pounds at the center, the sag, measured at the center, in any
direction shall not exceed 0.25 inch under any condition of adjustment
as to length.
(5) Method of clamping. Adequate means shall be provided for
securely fastening the tow-bar to the towed and towing vehicles.
(6) Tow-bar connection to steering mechanism. The tow-bar shall be
provided with suitable means of attachment to and actuation of the
steering mechanism, if any, of the towed vehicle. The attachment shall
provide for sufficient angularity of movement of the front wheels of the
towed vehicle so that it may follow substantially in the path of the
towing vehicle without cramping the tow-bar. The tow-bar shall be
provided with suitable joints to permit such movement.
(7) Tracking. The tow-bar shall be so designed, constructed,
maintained, and mounted as to cause the towed vehicle to follow
substantially in the path of the towing vehicle. Tow-bars of such design
on in our condition as to permit the towed vehicle to deviate more than
3 inches to either side of the path of a towing vehicle moving in a
straight line as measured from the center of the towing vehicle are
prohibited.
(8) Passenger car-trailer type couplings. Trailer couplings used for
driveaway-towaway operations of passenger car trailers shall conform to
Society of Automotive Engineers Standard No. J684c, ``Trailer Couplings
and Hitches--Automotive Type,'' July 1970. \1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\1\ See footnote 1 to Sec. 393.24(c).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

(9) Marking tow-bars. Every tow-bar acquired and used in driveaway-
towaway operations by a motor carrier shall be plainly marked with the
following certification of the manufacturer thereof (or words of
equivalent meaning):

This tow-bar complies with the requirements of the Federal Motor
Carrier Safety Administration for (maximum gross weight for which tow-
bar is manufactured) vehicles.
Allowable Maximum Gross Weight__________________________________________
Manufactured______________________________________ ______________________
(month and year)
by________________________________________________ ______________________
(name of manufacturer)


Tow-bar certification manufactured before the effective date of this
regulation must meet requirements in effect at the time of manufacture.
(10) Safety devices in case of tow-bar failure or disconnection. (i)
The towed vehicle shall be connected to the towing vehicle by a safety
device to prevent the towed vehicle from breaking loose in the event the
tow-bar fails or becomes disconnected. When safety chains or cables are
used as the safety device for that vehicle, at least two safety chains
or cables meeting the requirements of paragraph (h)(10)(ii) of this
section shall be used. The tensile strength of the safety device and the
means of attachment to the vehicles shall be at least equivalent to the
corresponding longitudinal strength for tow-bars required in the table
of paragraph (h)(1) of this section. If safety chains or cables are used
as the safety device, the required strength shall be the combined
strength of the combination of chains and cables.
(ii) If chains or cables are used as the safety device, they shall
be crossed and attached to the vehicles near the points of bumper
attachments to the chassis of the vehicles. The length of chain used
shall be no more than necessary to permit free turning of the vehicles.
The chains shall be attached to the tow-bar at the point of crossing or
as close to that point as is practicable.
(iii) A safety device other than safety chains or cables must
provide strength, security of attachment, and directional stability
equal to, or greater than, that provided by safety chains or cables
installed in accordance with paragraph (h)(10)(ii) of this section. A
safety device other than safety chains or cables must be designed,
constructed, and installed so that, if the tow-bar fails or becomes
disconnected, the tow-bar will not drop to the ground.

truckjunkie

Casey, while I agree that some information is in the owner's manual, the manual does not come directly out and say what the capacities for the hitch are when in a weight carrying role, other than if the tongue weight is over 350 lbs, a weight distributing hitch is required. My issue with that is that a Class II hitch will handle 350 lbs. of tongue weight. If this is really a Class IV hitch, then it should (I would imagine) handle between 600 and 750 lbs. of tongue weight before having to use a weight distributing hitch. That fact seems to be lost on the folks at DC's customer service center.

I referenced a couple of threads earlier in this post - please take a look at them when you have a chance. Thanks...

truckjunkie

Steve - thanks for the information - I appreciate it. I think that the tow bar information is for just that - tow bars which are used to attach a rolling vehicle to the towing vehicle. #9 does look like it might hold some promise. I'll take a look around in the DOT documentation for more information. Do you happen to have the website link to the site where you gleaned this information?

Thanks...