What Class Hitch Should I Get?

[jdaniel83]

So I recently purchased an '01 2500HD Duramax truck and I was surprised to discover that it does not have a factory trailer hitch attached. All it has is an aftermarket drop-down hitch that bolts to the bumper. I figured that the truck should have come from the factory with a frame attached hitch (being a 2500HD and all) but the previous owner said that it never had a hitch that he was aware of.

 

Anyways I'm looking to get a hitch for it and was wondering what class I should go with. I'll be regularly towing a 12' cargo trailer that loaded down with tools and whatnot will probably weigh around 3000-3500 lbs, but occasionally I'll have to tow loads as much as 7500-8000 lbs and need a hitch that can handle that much weight. Will a Class III hitch work or will I have to try and find a Class V (what probably should have been on the truck in the first place)?

[pwall]

I would recommend a Class IV hitch (rated for 10,000lbs). A class III is rated for 5000 pounds (probably more with WD).