How over engineered are receivers?

mowermech wrote:

rerod wrote:
The PO told me not to worry about the rusty receiver.. He said he pulled 10k for allot of miles. The Uhaul sticker was faded, but I now see its rated for 10k gross and 1000 lb tongue..

My gross is well under at 8k, but my tongue weight is at least 1250 lbs even relocating things back behind the axles.

I know receivers must be over engineered and mine should easily handle the additional 300 lbs tongue weight.. But I was wondering how much abuse these receivers can actually handle before failure. To me, the weak points are the six budget bolts holding it on.. I have better fine thread bolts, which Dexter used to attach my 5200 lb TT axle on before I lifted it 4". I could drill out the old holes and replace, at least the back two. Welding it on would also be a option.

Anyone have some first hand experience pushing receivers well past their limits? Iv seen people pulling hay wagons twice the rated limit, but that's not tongue weight or highway speeds.

The bottom line is, none of us can or will give you permission to exceed your ratings. It is entirely up to you to make that decision.
Good luck.

Again, I never asked for permission.

BurbMan wrote:

rerod wrote:
Please show me a hitch with the rating I need for the 95 E350? I cant find it.

What rating are you looking for? Here's a Draw-Tite 41906 that's rated at 12,000 and 1,200 lbs TW with WD. Rated higher that what you have, it should do the job for you.

If nobody makes a receiver with a higher rating, you have to wonder if the frame on the van would handle that weight....easy enough to build a receiver that can handle 20k lbs, but if it bends the vehicle frame what good is it?

Here at $220.74 with free shipping.

Thanks for finding that. I must not have looked hard enough because I don't feel its a issue. But looking closer, its the same rating as mine.. :h 1,000/10,000 lbs. (TW/GTW) but increases with a WDH to 1,200/12,000 lbs. (TW/GTW) Its still mounts with six 1/2" bolts and I'm sure mine would increase if I use a WDH.

downtheroad wrote:

rerod wrote:

downtheroad wrote:

rerod wrote:

Anyone have some first hand experience pushing receivers well past their limits?

Not me, and I don't want to have any experience pushing my receiver past it's limits?
Sure, people do, and I guess they have gotten away with it, but that doesn't make it right...at least not for me.
For me, there is no compromising the big safety system...tires, brakes, hitches, etc.

Good for you.. But consider the people who cant afford to shell out all the cash to make things perfect.. Iv done it my entire life.

Ya, it is good....and like I said, no compromise for me to, "shell out all the cash to make things perfect..."

I'll heat hotdogs instead of steak, but will not compromise when it comes to the basic safety items...like a damaged or under-rated hitch.

I was wondering what my local welding guru's thought about my conundrum. Kieth the owner told me I had nothing to worry about before knowing I had installed 5/8" Dexter bolts.