Hitch weight and different class hitches??

In our search for a Travel trailer I’ve come across a couple different questions regarding this subject. First, On every hitch I’ve seen they either have a 500# or 600# max hitch weight. Do they make a hitch (Not weight distribution) with a higher max weight? I worked in the const. business for many years and I know we towed trailers with a higher max weight than 600#’s(bobcat, mini excavator, etc) those hitches were not weight distribution. I will buy a weight distribution hitch if I have to but isn’t my hitch weight still going to be the same with or without a WD hitch?? With the 600# max hitch weight on class III hitches, is the way “they” boost the hitch weight by adding a weight distribution hitch or is a classIV and V reciever different than a III?? My understanding and I very well might be wrong, is that a class III,IV and V all use the same reciever? We’re I’m getting confused is how can I tow a 800# hitch weight trailer when all hitches have a 600# max?? Confused.

BIRDDOG

Hitch receiver rates are rated normally 500 – 600lb weight carying and when you use a weight distribution hitch the rate doubles. That is why most hitches are rated for the 500-600lb range unless you use a weight distribution hitch. They do make hitches with higher weight carrying capacity but it generally take a different receiver(bigger tube size). I would use a weight distribution hitch since it will tow better anyway since they distribute the weight to the front axle also. Works like a wheelbarrow. The bars are spring steel and lift the truck in the back to get weight on the front. If you were going to get one I would use reese only. I Never had one fail or returned. Hope this answers your question.

When I was looking for a travel trailer, I was told to go with a weight distribution set-up if the trailer weight was over 5000 lbs(500 lbs tongue weight). It was also recommended to have anti-sway bars on the hitch because it is usually a longer trailer. The weight distribution ball mount will up the capacity of a class III hitch because it distributes the weight of the trailer more evenly over the vehicle frame. My hitch on my Expedition is rated for 6000 lbs, but with a weight distribution set-up it will tow almost 9000 lbs. Most if not all class III hitches won’t be rated for over 6000 lbs without weight distribution. You can find a heavy duty ball mount at JC Whitney, but it is rated for a class IV or V hitch.