General Ford Ranger Discussion General discussion of the Ford Ranger that does not fit in any other sub-forum.

Class II or III Hitch? What to buy?

Old Sep 12, 2007
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Class II or III Hitch? What to buy?

I'm looking into buying a hitch for the truck since I plan on purchasing a small pop up camper in the future. Which should I go with the class II or III hitch?This is the only thing I really ever plan on towing besides for a 4-wheeler or a small uhaul carrier.

What drop and rise should i get with it? i was just thinking the 2" drop and 3/4" rise.
 

Last edited by jtfoxman; Sep 12, 2007 at 08:24 AM.
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Old Sep 12, 2007
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Class III... They are stronger...
 
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Old Sep 12, 2007
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I'd get a Class III/IV. The ball mounts are more common and you will be set up to tow more if the need ever arises. Shouldn't cost very much more than a Class II.
 
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Old Sep 12, 2007
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Originally Posted by greygooseranger
Class III... They are stronger...
If he is only pulling a small camper then a Class II will be fine.
 
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Old Sep 12, 2007
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Originally Posted by rwenzing
I'd get a Class III/IV. The ball mounts are more common and you will be set up to tow more if the need ever arises. Shouldn't cost very much more than a Class II.
I do agree that the Class III isnt that much more at all.
 
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Old Sep 12, 2007
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I would go with Curtis brand. I just ordered mine.
 
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Old Sep 12, 2007
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class III for sure you never know what you will tow in the future plus there only a few bucks more
 
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Old Sep 12, 2007
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I checked on the pricing and the class III is actually about the same price as the II so III wins out. I narrowed it down to the Hidden Hitch and a Curt round tube hitch. Any opinions on them?
I was also looking at getting the spare tire carrier that goes into the hitch.
Anyone seen any of them on a Ranger and how do they look? Currently my spare is tied down in my bed and takes up a lot of room and everytime I need to haul something I have to remove it.
 
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Old Sep 12, 2007
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Both are good, I had a round tube on my old truck. I pulled allot with it and never had any problems, and it didn't rust in all the years I had it...
 
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Old Sep 12, 2007
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Here are the 2 hitches



The spare carrier, looks like it might extend out to far, any guesses?


If I don't get the spare carrier I'll be looking at either of these 2 lights. Thoughts?

 
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Old Sep 12, 2007
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I have the bottom lighted hitch insert, but I actually like the top one better...
 
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Old Sep 12, 2007
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Originally Posted by greygooseranger
I have the bottom lighted hitch insert, but I actually like the top one better...
That's the one I was leaning towards, twice the price though, and I think I'll stick with the Hidden Hitch just on name alone. The Curt is a bit more expensive.

Opinions on the the spare carrier anyone? I think I could mod it a little bit to make it fit more flush with the tailgate.

Also getting a d ring shackle for the hitch so I might still have no place to put the spare. I do not want the spare under the bed, the carrier under there broke anyway. I might be stuck with the spare staying in the bed.

Thanks all!
 
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Old Sep 12, 2007
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Originally Posted by jtfoxman
That's the one I was leaning towards, twice the price though, and I think I'll stick with the Hidden Hitch just on name alone. The Curt is a bit more expensive.

Opinions on the the spare carrier anyone? I think I could mod it a little bit to make it fit more flush with the tailgate.

Also getting a d ring shackle for the hitch so I might still have no place to put the spare. I do not want the spare under the bed, the carrier under there broke anyway. I might be stuck with the spare staying in the bed.

Thanks all!
Yea it will stick out 4-6 inches.
 
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Old Sep 12, 2007
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I ordered the top one (Curt round tube hitch) which is a hidden hitch on Monday. It looks the best out of anything else and I got it for $85 brand new.
 
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Old Sep 12, 2007
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Were did you get that price from?
 
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Old Sep 12, 2007
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http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TRAIL...QQcmdZViewItem

+ $32 for shipping
 
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Old Sep 12, 2007
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out of curiosity, my '01 edge 4x4 came from the factory with a class III hitch. does anyone know what brand ford used ? there isn't any brand label on the hitch.
 
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Old Sep 12, 2007
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i think thats about what we paid at Uhaul..

but get a class III if its still being debated
 
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Old Sep 12, 2007
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Originally Posted by edgeaholic (tm)
out of curiosity, my '01 edge 4x4 came from the factory with a class III hitch. does anyone know what brand ford used ? there isn't any brand label on the hitch.
A sh*tty one... Mine is all rusty already and I have no rust on the body, or frame for that matter. All my other vehicles have had a hitch and never had so much rust so soon....
 
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Old Sep 12, 2007
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I just got it today.....looks good, you cant go wrong for $85. I'll try it put it on tomorrow.
 
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Old Sep 13, 2007
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Here it is installed. It came with grade 5 bolts, but I stopped at ACE to pick up some grade 8s.





 
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Old Sep 13, 2007
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I had the square one, looked good and worked great. Never rusted.
 
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Old Sep 13, 2007
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A somewhat related question: does the factory towing package on an auto include anything more than the hitch? Is there a beefier transmission cooler installed with the package?
 
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Old Sep 14, 2007
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Originally Posted by DerangedPony
Here it is installed. It came with grade 5 bolts, but I stopped at ACE to pick up some grade 8s.





I really like the look of the round tube one. Starting to lean a little towards that.
 
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