Looking at getting a Class 5 hitch - which is best? So far, these are the brands I've seen:

Reese
Putnam
Torklift
SurePull
Curt

Any particular advantages of one of these hitches over another? Easier install / better quality / beefier build ? Thanks!
Chris

 

I have had Reese and Putnam for years never had any trouble before.

 

I don't have any experience with class 5's other than the "Titan" by Reese - it's a monster !

You won't have to worry about bending it or the frame. It also gives you the option of using a 2 1/2" draw bar but comes with a shim that still lets you use a 2" bar too.

 

I had a Reese Titan and it broke. All that was holding my trailer on was about one inch of the 1/4" plate on each side, the main structure on it had failed. I was lucky I saw it before I lost my trailer. I had always used Reese products before and never had a problem.
FWIW Randy

 

WOW!! A broken Titan - I never thought I would hear that. What were you towing?

Was it a manufacturing defect with a weld or something?

I hope Reese took care of you.

 

I was towing a 3000 lb cargo trailer with about 1200 lbs of cargo in it.
I have two educated opinons on what happened. A friend who is a certified welder said it was bad welding. He said it looked like they welded it with the power up to high on the welder and the welds did not penetrate like they should have. Reese said it was the back plate that failed.
Thankfully for me I saw it before it became a real issue loosing the trailer while going down the road, who knows what is going to happen when something like that occurs.
Reese sent me a new one, I guess time will tell if they took care of me or not.

 

I have a Reese Titan Receiver now...it is a replacement for my stock Receiver that broke from rust while hauling a trailer

I don't pull tag alongs very much but I'm impressed with the Titan Class 5 Receiver....I recently moved a 16X80' Mobile Home 25 miles using this hitch and felt safe doing this move.....this hitch gave me the heaviest towing requirements that a tag along trailer will support

 

Just make sure the rest of your tow equipment is up to snuff... hitch ***** with a 1" shank aren't rated to the 10,000+ pounds that they need to be if you're gonna tow heavy...

Most draw bars are rated at 600/6000... the adjustable ones even less frequently.

I'm sure a lawyer would eat it up if you had one fail...

Noticed this when hooking a friend's 7k car hauler to his truck, with a 6k rated ball and 6k draw bar. total trailer weight was around 6300lbs. Not much over, but I'd rather not try to use that line to a judge.

 

GO 4LO - I got the Putnam. Easy to install after cutting away the stock hitch receiver tube (any muffler shop can do this). I liked the idea of bolting to the existing frame holes, no welding or drilling necessary.

 

why does the stock reciever tube get cut away instead of unbolted and removed? Does the putnam hitch sister up to the stock side arms? ...sty

 

My $.02 worth. I live very close to Tork Lift and they have got alot of my business over the years. Just look at my signature. The reason for this is not because I'm close, but rather I experienced their working enviroment. They build very good products, many which are first in the industry. Their service is 2nd to none. If you deal directly with them, talk to Tony. He's the main man.

 

Tork Lift rocks I looked at the others but was far more impressed with the quality and service of Tork lift than the others.
There hitch extensions are incredibly strong!
Not affiliated just an extremely satisfied customer


Dave

 

Is the Torklift still a good choice even if you don't plan on carrying a camper and using the extensions?
Chris

 

Rangerst - I looked at trying to unbolt the stock receiver tube, but by cutting it off I maintained the cross tube - and maintain structural integrity. If I recal correctly, the cross tube (or what ever it's called) is welded to the frame, so can't really unbolt it - keeping this intact is a good idea, my opionion anyway.

 

Most definitely, extremely well built.