In weight-carrying applications, in which the load is attached to a single point on the hitch, class IV hitches are rated to carry 10,000 pounds of gross trailer weight, and a maximum trailer tongue weight of 1000 pounds.
A weight-distributing hitch uses specially-designed spring arms to spread the towed weight more evenly to the rear wheels of the tow vehicle. In this application, class IV hitches are rated for a gross trailer weight of 14,000 pounds, and a maximum tongue weight of 1,400 pounds.
The addition of a heavy-duty draw bar does not increase the weight ratings of a class IV hitch. The only way to get higher weight capacities is to attach the hitch with a weight-distributing system.
