FitsMyTruckWhat fits your pickup, by truck and bed

By the FitsMyTruck team. Every figure in this guide comes from a maker, automaker or standards document named at the end, and the guide is reviewed before it goes up. How we check what fits.

Weight distribution hitches and how ratings change

A weight distribution hitch uses spring bars to move part of the tongue weight onto the tow vehicle's front axle and the trailer axles. Makers publish two ratings for the same receiver: CURT lists its 13393 hitch at 6,000 lb with a plain ball mount and 10,000 lb with spring bars. Ram recommends the system above 5,000 lb. It does not replace sway control, and some makers restrict it.

What it does

Reese's Steadi-Flex owner's manual says the system is designed to distribute a portion of the trailer's tongue weight onto the front axle of the tow vehicle and the trailer axles. CURT describes the same job as balancing trailer weight across all axles of the tow vehicle and trailer. Spring bars load the hitch head, and the installer levels the truck. CURT's install sheet for part 17500 warns that the loaded ball height should never be greater than the uncoupled height, because front wheel overload and loss of rear wheel traction can result. Ford's 2025 Super Duty specifications recommend 50 percent front axle load rest when load bars are used.

How the ratings change

On the same receiver, makers list a higher trailer and tongue weight when spring bars are used. The tongue weight rating from the tongue weight guide is the number to match first.

Maker partWeight carryingWith weight distribution
CURT 13393, Class 3, 2019 to 2026 Silverado 1500 and Sierra 15006,000 lb, 600 lb tongue10,000 lb, 1,000 lb tongue
CURT 13475, Class 3, 2015 to 2027 F-1506,000 lb, 900 lb tongue10,000 lb, 1,000 lb tongue
CURT 14017, Class 4, 2015 to 2027 F-15010,000 lb, 1,000 lb tongue12,000 lb, 1,200 lb tongue
Draw-Tite 41954, Class V, 2015 to 2026 F-15011,000 lb, 1,100 lb tongue14,000 lb, 1,400 lb tongue
Reese 49911 Round Bar Pro (ball mount and bars)5,000 lb, 500 lb tongue6,000 lb, 600 lb tongue

The ratings above are the maker's figures for the part. The truck's own limit still applies: Reese's sheet says not to exceed the lower of the towing vehicle maker's rating or the trailer rating, and CURT's install sheet says never to exceed the vehicle maker's recommended towing capacity.

When makers call for one

Ram's 2025 Ram 1500 guide states that a weight distributing system is recommended for trailers over 5,000 lb. Ford's 2025 Super Duty specifications give one trailer towing value that is the same for weight carrying and weight distribution. Each maker sets its own line, so check your own manual. Equal-i-zer's FAQ adds that the hitch needs a rating high enough that it never exceeds either the max trailer weight or the max tongue weight.

Limits and restrictions

The vehicle's door-jamb sticker, owner's manual and the hitch maker's labels govern. A rating shown here is the maker's published figure, not a guarantee for a specific truck.

Use it with

The hitch tables show each hitch's weight carrying and weight distribution ratings. For the class limits see hitch classes explained.

Sources

Products named above

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