Towing with a reese goose box overweight

BigBill1

Member
Guys, I am new to the forum and have a question about towing with a pin box. The reese is rated at 16000 lbs. I have a Raptor 412TS with a weight of 14,900... Will add bikes, fuel,water and gear and probably be about 17,500 lbs. I understand the legal issues but would like to know if anyone would know of towing 1500 lbs over the rating will be an issue or not?
thx
Bill
 

danemayer

Well-known member
Hi BigBill1,

Maybe someone will have a more specific answer, but I would simply expect excess wear on the parts and stress that could eventually lead to something breaking.
 

caissiel

Senior Member
Things to worry about. The pin weight is not over the rating of the hitch.
When the unit brakes are applied hard the weight of the pin is multiplied due to the front getting real heavy. The proper brake adjustment prevents the pushing of the hitch forward.
When climbing a steep hill at 20% there is real hard tug on the hitch caused by the weight of the unit. Having the bars anchored properly to the frame is important. I know the hitch pins to the bar are all the same size.
But getting in a head on collision or someone hitting you in the rear. I doubt any hitch will really matter as the anchor to the truck frame would possibly be the weak point, with high sheer forces on the bolts. Bending of the hitch at that instant would reduce the forces on the frame anchor.
10% overload to me might be a lawyer case more then a strength condition. It's your call.

Sent from my LG-LS720 using Tapatalk
 

BigBill1

Member
Thanks, I agree that I should not press the hitch. I have had some good conversations with Mike from Anderson Manufacturing. He has been great help in keeping me moving forward. They are going to custom build their Ultimate hitch for my truck. (07 Freightliner Sportchassis Ranchhauler. I am limited on what I can use for a hitch because of the box configuration on the truck. He stated because it was a direct connection I will not experience chugging or tugging....
the Ultimate is rated to tow up to 24,000 lbs. I am willing to give it a try. I will let you know if it is a good ride or not in a few weeks.
 
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