Stock Raptor hitch is very weak

Raptors may not be built to pull a heavy load but we all modified our trucks to our needs and taste. For me it was lights, winch, and recovery gear. But if you want a raptor and don’t want 2 trucks then beefing up the suspension and putting a better hitch on it doesn’t get you kicked out the “club”. In my previous post I also explained how I bent mine. Probably Ford was right in not warranting it, but to keep me from going through that again “ if i over load it” I beefed mine up too. I don’t believe the Op thinks this is a common thing but maybe 1 out of 3000. This tread was an interesting approach to fixing his problem. I appreciate new mod ideas, that is why I joined this form 4 years ago. That also gives me guidance to what should buy or not buy.
- My 2 cents

Well all I know is from what the trailer info on my dash shows I've towed my toy hauler with SXS = 6000 lbs. 5600 miles and everything is all good and not bent. When I saw this post it caused me to go and crawl under my truck and check it out and was relieved to see no issues and to see the hitch is mounted to the frame. It's sad to anyone having problems with their trucks but some people here are going to think that all our trucks have this issue.

Not going to say your perception isn't real to you... but I'll add to the stack of people who say they've had absolutely no issue with the factory hitch on my 2018 and I pretty regularly haul a 6,000lb RV with 600lb tongue weight (same RV I used to haul with my Gen-1 if that makes the "Genny war" any better) .

But...

1) You want the drawbar all the way in, not all the way out. All the way out "increases" leverage imposed upon the receiver you think got "bent" (think breaker bar or length of pipe on a wrench for that stubborn bolt... the longer the pipe, the easier it is to bend the wrench)

2) Dunno what you think that is holding the trailer on the truck, but what's pictured is not a weight distribution hitch (just saying, because if you think it is... it's not)

3) Anyone who's setup a weight distribution hitch will tell you that you increase down-angle on the ball to increase leverage on the distribution bars (removing squat) or decrease down-angle to decrease leverage (eliminate rise at the ball - which knowing Raptors is pretty rare for both Gen-1 and 2) (and yes, the Gen-2 does squat more and you do have to adjust this when you upgrade from a Gen-1)

4) Down-angle on the ball without a WDH has absolutely no bearing on tow-ability if all other aspects of *how you are loading* are correct. It's a ball - it's round. ;-) If you're squatting so bad you're grinding the stem of that ball... the receiver isn't the issue.

The Raptor already comes with a Class IV rated receiver, and all the documentation will tell you the receiver is NOT the weakest link in the Raptor's towing rating. But it's your peace of mind... the most correct answer then is go ahead and buy an aftermarket receiver if it makes you feel better. I know I would if all I could think about while towing is losing the load. Wouldn't even need moral support of an entire forum full of opinion... just do it.

Not going to stay whats what, but a week ago the service manager at my dealership came out, looked at it for about a second, and said that is not right. On any truck. Opened a case... they called back today. Ford is replacing it Friday morning.

2020... 1600-ish miles.

Zeusmotorworks said:

Not going to stay whats what, but a week ago the service manager at my dealership came out, looked at it for about a second, and said that is not right. On any truck. Opened a case... they called back today. Ford is replacing it Friday morning.

2020... 1600-ish miles.

Click to expand...

Don't worry man, all the Gen 2 owners will assure you that you weren't towing right and it's plenty strong! That's a good thing too, because with the Gen 2, you can't run any non-Ford hitch without leaving your bumper at home. It is your only option short of full custom fab work.

Why are some proclaiming it's greatness while other say it's weak crap? Is this the same part? Is it the ball mount? Is the hitch strength marginal enough that the "stick-out" of the ball mount is making the difference in bent vs not bent?

EricM said:

Don't worry man, all the Gen 2 owners will assure you that you weren't towing right and it's plenty strong! That's a good thing too, because with the Gen 2, you can't run any non-Ford hitch without leaving your bumper at home. It is your only option short of full custom fab work.

Why are some proclaiming it's greatness while other say it's weak crap? Is this the same part? Is it the ball mount? Is the hitch strength marginal enough that the "stick-out" of the ball mount is making the difference in bent vs not bent?

Click to expand...

seriously, is there a reason you’re so concerned?

smurfslayer said:

seriously, is there a reason you’re so concerned?

Click to expand...

He is confusing weakness with the angle of the dangle. Ironically, his weakness may be the angle of his dangle. A nerve has been struck.

I'm just happy to have any kind of dangle!

hehe