Curt

Hitch Class Guide — Which Class Does Your Van or Truck Need?

Hitch class is one of the most misunderstood specifications in towing. Here's a clear breakdown relevant to the vehicles Upfit Supply serves:

GTW = Gross Trailer Weight (total weight of trailer + cargo). TW = Tongue Weight (the downward force the trailer hitch places on the receiver). Always use the lowest-rated component in your towing system — if your vehicle is rated to tow 8,500 lbs. but your Class 3 hitch is rated to 6,000 lbs., your effective tow limit is 6,000 lbs.

For most cargo vans — Ford Transit, RAM ProMaster, Mercedes Sprinter — a Class 3 hitch is the standard choice for utility trailers, equipment trailers, and light-duty towing. If you're towing near the van's maximum tow rating, step up to a Class 4 where available. Contact our team if you need help confirming the right class for your vehicle and intended load.

About CURT

CURT was founded in 1993 by Curt Tambornino in Eau Claire, Wisconsin — the company's name and birthplace are still the same today. The first products were trailer balls and ball mounts sold out of the back of a car, with manufacturing beginning shortly after. In 1995, CURT produced its first custom-fit receiver hitch, and by 1999 had constructed a 75,000-square-foot headquarters in Eau Claire to support growing production and distribution. Fifth wheel hitches, bike racks, and cargo carriers followed in 2002, and the product lineup has expanded steadily since then.

CURT's manufacturing process distinguishes it from lower-cost alternatives. Every receiver hitch is designed using actual vehicles and cutting-edge CAD software, welded with a combination of robotic and manual operations for accuracy and efficiency, mechanically descaled to prepare the steel surface, dipped inside and out in a liquid Bonderite rust-inhibiting undercoat, and co-cured together with a durable black powder coat. The result is a finish that protects from the inside of the frame out — not just on the exterior surface. Every hitch design is tested at CURT's in-house research facility in Detroit, Michigan to SAE J684 standards before it reaches the market.

Today CURT is a brand within CURT Group, a subsidiary of Lippert Components, Inc. — one of the largest suppliers to the RV, marine, and automotive aftermarket industries. The CURT Group family of brands also includes UWS (tool boxes) and Luverne (truck accessories), two other brands carried by Upfit Supply. CURT remains headquartered in Eau Claire and continues to manufacture its receiver hitches in the USA, with 11 regional warehouses across the United States and Canada for rapid fulfillment.

CURT Towing Products for Cargo Vans

For tradespeople and fleet operators running cargo vans, towing capability is often an afterthought until it's suddenly urgent — a trailer needed for a job, a utility cart, a skid steer, equipment that needs to move. CURT makes it straightforward to add proper towing capability to most major cargo vans without modifying the vehicle.

The Ford Transit is the most common cargo van in North America, and CURT makes both Class 3 and Class 4 receiver hitches for it, along with a 4-pin flat wiring harness. Many Transit operators choose the towing kit that combines both for a complete, ready-to-tow package. The RAM ProMaster uses a Class 3 hitch with a 6,000 lb. GTW rating compatible with weight distribution hardware for heavier trailer loads. The Mercedes Sprinter has a Class 4 option covering most production years. For all three, CURT's installation is a direct bolt-on to existing frame mounting points — no welding, no cutting.

The practical result is that a tradesperson who needs to periodically tow a landscape trailer, an equipment trailer, or a cargo utility trailer behind their work van has a clean, structurally sound, and warranty-backed solution without modifying the vehicle permanently. Contact our team to confirm the correct hitch and wiring combination for your van's specific year and trim.

CURT Products by Vehicle

Cargo Vans

• Ford Transit — Class 3 and Class 4 hitches, 4-pin wiring harness
• Ford Transit Connect — Class 3 available
• RAM ProMaster — Class 3 hitch, wiring harness
• Mercedes Sprinter — Class 4 available
• Chevrolet Express / GMC Savana — Class 3 and Class 4 available

Pickup Trucks

• Ford F-150 — Class 3 and Class 4
• Ford F-250/350 Super Duty — Class 4 and Class 5
• Chevrolet Silverado 1500 — Class 3 and Class 4
• Chevrolet Silverado HD (2500/3500) — Class 4 and Class 5
• GMC Sierra 1500 — Class 3 and Class 4
• GMC Sierra HD (2500/3500) — Class 4 and Class 5
• RAM 1500 — Class 3 and Class 4
• RAM 2500/3500 — Class 4 and Class 5
• Toyota Tundra — Class 3 and Class 4

Frequently Asked Questions — CURT

What hitch class do I need for my cargo van or pickup truck?

Class 3 (2" receiver, up to 6,000–8,000 lbs.) covers most cargo vans and half-ton trucks — Ford Transit, RAM ProMaster, Silverado 1500, RAM 1500. Class 4 (2" receiver, up to 10,000 lbs.) is for heavier half-ton and 3/4-ton applications and high-capacity vans. Class 5 (2" or 2.5" receiver, up to 20,000 lbs.) is for heavy-duty trucks towing large trailers. Always limit to the lowest-rated component in the system.

What is the difference between a hitch pin, a hitch lock, and a ball mount?

A hitch pin secures the ball mount in the receiver tube — structural, not security. A hitch lock does the same but with a keyed cylinder that prevents removal without a key — use when parked to prevent theft of the ball mount or hitch-mounted accessory. A ball mount is the component that slides into the receiver and holds the trailer ball — available in fixed or adjustable configurations with different rise/drop offsets.

What is CURT's ShockDrop technology?

ShockDrop is CURT's patented cushioned isolator built into the RockerBall trailer ball and Rebellion XD ball mount. It absorbs jerking, jarring, and vibration at the coupling point — no airbags, no bearings, virtually maintenance-free. Reduces stress on the tow vehicle's suspension, brakes, and frame over time for smoother, quieter towing.

Do I need a wiring harness if I have a factory tow package?

If your vehicle has a factory tow package with a rear connector, you likely only need an adapter — not a full harness. If your van or truck doesn't have a tow package (common on base trim cargo vans), you need a vehicle-specific CURT wiring harness — plug-and-play, no cutting or splicing. Confirm your trim level and existing wiring before ordering.

What is CURT's co-curing finish process?

CURT mechanically descales the hitch steel to remove mill scale, dips it inside and out in liquid Bonderite rust-inhibiting undercoat, then co-cures it together with a durable black powder coat. This protects from the inside of the frame out — more durable than powder coating over untreated steel.

Are CURT hitches made in the USA?

Yes. All CURT receiver hitches are designed, welded, and finished at CURT's Eau Claire, Wisconsin facilities. Some hardware may be imported. Every hitch design is tested to SAE J684 protocols at CURT's Detroit testing facility. Limited lifetime structural warranty.