[quote author=moss2904 link=board=11;threadid=15927;start=0#150004 date=1055814209]<br> Well I finally heard from someone who should know, Reese.<br> I still can't hardly believe it but supposedly the Titan 5 hitch that goes on the 2003 Dodge Super Duty bolts to the existing Factory hitch.<br> Won't that be a nice set up I will have my Factory installed hitch and a Titan 5 hitch bolted directly below it. I am going to have to see that to believe it. I hope that dose not put me over my GVWR having a 2&quot; reciever hitch and a 2 1/2&quot; reciever hitch bolted directly below it. <br> And now that I think about it. I have one more question. If a hitch is rated for 12,000 lbs and is bolted to a hitch rated for 10,000 lbs, what is it's rating? ???<br>[/quote]<br><br>Hmmmm...don't see how that could work. If the Class V relies on the Class IV directly above it to hold it in place then in effect it makes the Class V a Class IV as well. That's the same load of snot the dealer tried to sell me when he bolted a Class III to the bottom of my step bumper and tried to tell me it was a Class IV. :

 

[quote author=moss2904 link=board=11;threadid=15927;start=0#150004 date=1055814209]
Well I finally heard from someone who should know, Reese.
I still can't hardly believe it but supposedly the Titan 5 hitch that goes on the 2003 Dodge Super Duty bolts to the existing Factory hitch.
Won't that be a nice set up I will have my Factory installed hitch and a Titan 5 hitch bolted directly below it. I am going to have to see that to believe it. I hope that dose not put me over my GVWR having a 2&quot; receiver hitch and a 2 1/2&quot; reciever hitch bolted directly below it.
And now that I think about it. I have one more question. If a hitch is rated for 12,000 lbs and is bolted to a hitch rated for 10,000 lbs, what is it's rating? ???[/quote]

You're right, it doesn't make sense. Either there is a symantics problem, you heard wrong, or the guy on the phone shouldn't be permitted to install hitches. I would think that the the Titan receiver bolts directly in place of where the factory hitch is installed - using the same holes/foundation on the frame. With the old receiver removed, &amp; NOT mounted to a pre-existing reciever. I would presume that the Titan also uses better bolts too, and new ones at that!

Like someone said earlier, the rating is limited to the weakest link in the chain: could be the receiver, ball mount, or ball.

After reading all these things about overloading hitches, I guess I should buy and install a real receiver for my truck.

 

On another forum--think TDR--this mounting of the Titan V below the Class IV standard hitch (1200# rated by the way according to the Towing info on dodge.com) was mentioned. Even most Reese hitch shops don't know the Titan V is now available--just talked to the best installer in town esterday and gave him the info. May get a 2003 HO 2500 SRW with 48RE--ready to order earlier and husband backed out. Having second thoughts after weighing our truck and trailer and we had 9600# on our 8800# rated truck, and nearly 1000# over our GCWR. Truck weight included an ATV, 20 extra gallons of diesel, a filled gas can for ATV and generator, and a hitch weight that is about 1100#--the big Titan V setup add lots of weight also. This is on a stock '97 2500, 3.54, 4x4, stick. We are interested in feed back on the Titan V--does it have to be installed under the standard hitch?

 

[quote author=moss2904 link=board=11;threadid=15927;start=0#150004 date=1055814209]<br>And now that I think about it. I have one more question. If a hitch is rated for 12,000 lbs and is bolted to a hitch rated for 10,000 lbs, what is it's rating? ???<br>[/quote]<br><br>Wow, I guess that would be 22,000 lbs!

 

I talked to Reese directly and they said the Titan hitch does bolt directly below the factory hitch. They said it was an ugly install but it is the only way they could do it on the 2003 Dodge.
I will see it in person tomorrow it is to be installed on my truck. Saw the hitch extension, it was heavy duty to say the least.
rvlady,
On the 2002 and back Dodges I think the Titan hitch can replace the existing hitch if you already have one. On the 2003 Dodges and up it looks like for now the Titan V will have to be bolted below the factory hitch.
Randy

 

Please keep us posted on this installation. Still can't believe it is strong enough if attached to a weaker link! We also need to know how much it drops the ball--we have our adjustable head turned over now for added height and can't get much more out of it. Our Fox rides HIGH.

 

Try to get some pictures of it too if you can...

 

Well the Reese Titan 2 1/2&quot; hitch is on. It does bolt to the frame and hang below the factory hitch. It does not bolt directly to the factory hitch. Looks kinda dumb from behind with a 2&quot; and a 2 1/2' hitch. <br> The extension I ordered for it comes 48&quot; long and you cut it down to fit. It was cut at 34&quot; just clears the back of the Lance camper. The extension has a bow in it to tilt it upward to raise the hitch height. The extension uses the standard 2&quot; reciever. <br> With the extension at 34&quot; it is rated for 6000/600 lbs or 8000/800 lbs with a weight distributing hitch. The hitch sticker say's it is rated for 14,000/1,700 with no extension and a weight distributing hitch.<br> Sorry Hoss wish I had a digital camera I would post a picture.<br> Randy

 

Try these guys they were very knowledgeable and shipped fast. [glow=red, 2, 300]Southwest Wheel Company[/glow] they have a Dallas and Lubbock location so you might even be able to pick it up yourself and save a lil shipping.<br><br>Aaron

 

Thanks for the quick information, Randy. Now we just have to figure how much lower it will be on a 3500 4x4.

 

Randy, what is the posted rating for non-weight distribution?<br><br>Also, can you still use the 2&quot; hitch with the new one in place?

 

Yes the 2&quot; hitch is just like it was so you can use it or the 2 1/2&quot;. <br> I think the weight rating was 12,000lbs for a non-weight distributing hitch.

 

Moss, how much lower is the Titan receiver? Are we talking a big gap between the bottom of the factory rcvr and the top of the Titan? I've been thinking of doing this because of the Titans 1200 lb tongue weight capacity in WC, but don't want to purchase yet another ball mount.<br><br>Is there a reason you kept the old receiver on it?

 

bulabula,<br> Ther is about 1/4&quot;~1/2&quot; or so gap between the bottom of the factory hitch and the top of the Titan hitch.<br> Before I ordered it I talked to Reese. They said they could not replace the factory hitch on the 2003 Dodge Heavy Duty's because the factory hitch is part of the rear cross member of the frame.

 

Moss: Thanks for being so helpful to those of us who have big questions about the new Titan V! We are again looking at a 2003 3500 SRW 4x4--nearly ordered one earlier then husband decided to bomb the '97. We weighed our loaded rig and trailer last week (ATV included) and we were a lot more overweight than we thought. Our local Dodge dealer (the fleet manager) ordered a 2003 on the last day that is almost exactly what we wanted--it's not in yet. We will have a chance at that if we want it. This hitch issue was holding us hostage! One more measurement when you have the time: the distance between the BOTTOM of the 2&quot; hitch opening to the BOTTOM of the 2.5&quot; opening--this gives us the actual figure of how much lower it is. I think the new truck is about 4&quot; higher than the '97, so there might not be a problem. Thanks so much for your time. Anyone looking for an excellent '97 2500, 3.54, stock, exhaust brake, 5 speed?