Hitch class differences

[98XJSport]

Ok I keep hearing abou tthe hitch classes, so I checked my reciever to see what I would have to get to rig up something for a towhook. Mine's a class IV hitch, so I'm wondering what differences I might have over a class 3, or other hitch classes, or what even makes up the hitch classes?

Ryan

 

[FitchVA]

taken from another website...

Receiver hitches are rated by class. Classes designate the amount of weight a hitch can safely handle (weight carrying capacity). That weight is determined by two factors. One is Gross Trailer Weight (GTW)—the total weight of a trailer and its cargo. The other is Tongue Weight (TW)—the downward force placed on the hitch ball by the trailer’s coupler. Tongue weight is usually 10 to 15 percent of GTW.

Here are the classes and load ratings for standard hitches:
Class 1: 1,000 to 2,500 lbs. GTW, 200 lbs. TW
Class 2: 3,500 lbs. GTW, 300 lbs. TW
Class 2.5: 4,000 lbs. GTW, 400 lbs. TW
Class 3: 6,000 lbs. GTW, 350-600 lbs. TW
Class 4: 8,000 lbs. GTW, 800 lbs. TW
Class 5: 10,000 lbs. GTW, 1,000 lbs. TW

 

[copperhead]

Be aware though, that the Cherokee itself is only rated at 5,000 lbs.

Copperhead

 

[BIGSLVRXJ]

A few days ago I tried to pull a 6000 pound boat behind my XJ with a class II. it didnt like that so well. Luckily i was only going bout a foot. I was using a 1and 7/8 inch ball for a 2 and what is it 5/16 or something? coupler

 

[Wiley Coyote]

Last week I towed a Suburban (10,000 + pounds) and a Rodeo (5,000 pounds). The Rodeo had to go across town (about 15 miles or so) and the Suburban only had to go 3 miles. The Cherokee pulled them both just fine at 20 to 35 mph, but I wouldn’t want to try it at 65 mph. Both of these vehicles were flat towed so there was very little tongue weight. The Cherokees have enough power to do it; it’s the tongue weight that will get you.

 

[Moto]

Yeah the tounge weight limitations are a killer, I have towed some heavy things a very short distance, but the other day I had to tow a small pavement roller on a trailer for only about a mile and I thought my Jeep was going to do a wheelie , the rearend was on the ground

 

[dogtired]

Last week I towed a Suburban (10,000 + pounds) and a Rodeo (5,000 pounds). The Rodeo had to go across town (about 15 miles or so) and the Suburban only had to go 3 miles. The Cherokee pulled them both just fine at 20 to 35 mph, but I wouldn’t want to try it at 65 mph. Both of these vehicles were flat towed so there was very little tongue weight. The Cherokees have enough power to do it; it’s the tongue weight that will get you.

Towing a Suburban and a Rodeo at the same time? Holy smokes, your Cherokee must be on steroids in order to pull 15,000 pounds!

:viking:

 

[copperhead]

It is not just the tounge weight. You have to take into account the braking capabilities of the Cherokee as well. Slow towing heavier items short distances is not as much a factor, but above the recommended ammount at normal road speeds can get dangerous. At speed braking as well as high winds can cause dangerous wooble and toss the tow vehicle around.

I have seen one too many vehicles get thrown around and wrecked because the driver was towing something too heavy/large for the vehicle.

-Copperhead

 

[ladywolf]

yea, i can understand that, when i looked up under the jeep the other day (cuz i was changin the oil, figured i may as well look at everything else too) i found that my hitch was loose, and they only used grade 5 hardware, not grade 8....i do have a class 5 hitch tho, so i'm good to go there, lol. i towed a cart a couple of years ago with about 3k lbs on it, and my cherokee towed it pretty well. any good idears on where to get grade 8 hardware that will actually fit my hitch?

had to go to ramstein ab last night (bout 100 miles away) jeep surprisingly got pretty good gas mileage......filled it up before i left to come back this morning, and at 115 miles the jeep is now just barely hitting the 3/4 tank mark, so i'm happy.

 

[GI-John]

any good idears on where to get grade 8 hardware that will actually fit my hitch?

The bolt bin in the motor pool....a well stocked one will have everything you need

 

[ladywolf]

lol the motor pool isnt back yet....all our stuff is still on the boat from kuwait to germany, otherwise i'd be "acquiring' aircraft hardware

guess i'll haveta take a look at the local hardware store now that i'm home

 

[XJ_ranger]

any good idears on where to get grade 8 hardware that will actually fit my hitch?

osh is a great olace for grade 8 hardware

if you have the stock nutcerts tying the hitch to the "frame rail" it is a 20mm thread with 1.75 pitch i think
grade 5 will be fine at proper torq spec however as it is rated at 6500lbs shear strength and the cherokee is only built to tow about that much...