Class 3 vs. Class 4 Hitch/Ball Mount???

[shwejw]

So, the Tow pkg comes with a Class 4 hitch. I've been searching for a ball mount and ball, but most of the ones online/in stores seem to be listed under "Class 3 to Class 4" and are typ. rated 6000# tow cap w/600# tongue weight cap. These are slightly under the capacities of the truck 6500#/650# according to the manual.

Should the mount and ball be the weakest link in the chain, or should I get a ball mount/ball that slightly exceeds the cap of the truck?

Does an actual "Class 4" ball mount/ball exist that are closer to the capacity of the truck, or are they all Class 3-4 and in the 6000#/600# cap range? Am I OK just going w/this range?

Thanks in advance for the help.

[j4x4ar3]

Originally Posted by shwejw

So, the Tow pkg comes with a Class 4 hitch. I've been searching for a ball mount and ball, but most of the ones online/in stores seem to be listed under "Class 3 to Class 4" and are typ. rated 6000# tow cap w/600# tongue weight cap. These are slightly under the capacities of the truck 6500#/650# according to the manual.

Should the mount and ball be the weakest link in the chain, or should I get a ball mount/ball that slightly exceeds the cap of the truck?

Does an actual "Class 4" ball mount/ball exist that are closer to the capacity of the truck, or are they all Class 3-4 and in the 6000#/600# cap range? Am I OK just going w/this range?

Thanks in advance for the help.

Considering that you would most likely never reach the 6000# capacity of the ball hitches that you're looking at I wouldn't have an issue purchasing one. I have a 5500# travel trailer and use a Weight Distribution hitch myself. When you reach weights like what I'm towing a WD hitch really is the way to go. WD hitches are rated differently so you would easily find one to use with the Tacoma that matches/exceeds factory tow capacities.

You need to look for a ball though that is 2 5/16" for a trailer that heavy.. although this is dependant on the ball type on the trailer.

[redtoytaco]

Originally Posted by j4x4ar3

Considering that you would most likely never reach the 6000# capacity of the ball hitches that you're looking at I wouldn't have an issue purchasing one. I have a 5500# travel trailer and use a Weight Distribution hitch myself. When you reach weights like what I'm towing a WD hitch really is the way to go. WD hitches are rated differently so you would easily find one to use with the Tacoma that matches/exceeds factory tow capacities.

You need to look for a ball though that is 2 5/16" for a trailer that heavy.. although this is dependant on the ball type on the trailer.

Isn't it that the factory tow package comes with a class 4 weight distributed hitch?

[j4x4ar3]

Originally Posted by redtoytaco

Isn't it that the factory tow package comes with a class 4 weight distributed hitch?

It comes with a Class IV reciever... Toyota doesn't supply a hitch for the reciever. The Class IV reciver is rated higher than the truck's capacity however Toyota does not publish ratings for weight distribution or weight carrying.. they only state 650# max tongue weight and 6500# max trailer weight.

This is definitely something to remember though as those that add the reciever aftermarket will only get a Class III hitch which has a maximum rating of 5000#.

[redtoytaco]

Originally Posted by j4x4ar3

It comes with a Class IV reciever... Toyota doesn't supply a hitch for the reciever. The Class IV reciver is rated higher than the truck's capacity however Toyota does not publish ratings for weight distribution or weight carrying.. they only state 650# max tongue weight and 6500# max trailer weight.

This is definitely something to remember though as those that add the reciever aftermarket will only get a Class III hitch which has a maximum rating of 5000#.

Sorry, I meant receiver.

[shwejw]

Originally Posted by j4x4ar3

Considering that you would most likely never reach the 6000# capacity of the ball hitches that you're looking at I wouldn't have an issue purchasing one. I have a 5500# travel trailer and use a Weight Distribution hitch myself. When you reach weights like what I'm towing a WD hitch really is the way to go. WD hitches are rated differently so you would easily find one to use with the Tacoma that matches/exceeds factory tow capacities.

You need to look for a ball though that is 2 5/16" for a trailer that heavy.. although this is dependant on the ball type on the trailer.

Thanks for the info! You are right that I would likely not reach the 6000# cap, just wanted to have some level of comfort w/the ball mount and balls that I have been coming across, to amke sure that was normal/typical. It looks like those ratings are typical, just wanted to make sure I bought the correct components.

Any experience w/adjustable drop/rise ball mounts? Are they any good? I can't decide how much of a drop to get 2" to 4" so I was looking at some of the adjustable ones.