Tow Hitch Recommendation?

[Jeff_R1S]

I am looking to use my 2023 Adventure Package R1S to tow a boat and trailer which have a combined weight of 6000 pounds. Do I need a weight distributing hitch? Does anyone have a hitch recommendation? Thanks in advance!

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[MejDam]

I use an Adjustable Drop Hitches | Tongue Weight Scale | Weigh Safe (weigh-safe.com)

 

[Mathme]

Typically with a boat trailer, you don't do weight distributing hitches. I think this has to typically do with surge brakes, but I could be mistaken.

As @MejDam noted the Weigh Safe hitches are great. I just went with the Weigh Safe Aero Hitch with a 4" drop as it has the capacity for even the R1T. It's not the "pretty aluminum" but it's only about 1/2 the price as well. That put the U-Haul car trailer at about level. It's nice to know that the truck says about 5500lbs of trailer back there and exactly what the tongue weight is:

 

[TD-EV]

Hello @Mathme and @MejDam . Thanks for the info on the WeighSafe, I'm considering one of these for my R1S. Did you happen to also get the WeighSafe Locking hitch pin? If so, is it long enough to fit the Rivian receiver tube? WeighSafe indicates it's 3.5 inches, so I'm thinking it should work.

 

[racekarl]

Triple the recommendation on weigh safe. I did not get the extra locking pin, but the included pin fits the R1T just fine. I regularly tow a boat and a large enclosed utility trailer and being able to get both level has been great. The trailer is a Boy Scout trailer loaded by the boys, so being able to see if they have loaded it properly has been helpful!

I also have the aero hitch, but lately I have regretted getting that one over the original version. The smallest ball you can get on the aero is 2" and there have been a couple of times now where I needed to tow a 1 7/8" utility trailer. The original weigh safe can mount an optional 1 7/8" ball but the aero cannot.

 

[Thedude]

Weigh safe hitches are cool but you can also save a bunch of money going to a hardware store and buying a hitch for less than $50 that works just as well.

 

[racekarl]

Weigh safe hitches are cool but you can also save a bunch of money going to a hardware store and buying a hitch for less than $50 that works just as well.

Works? Sure. Works "just as well?" No.

 

[Thedude]

Works? Sure. Works "just as well?" No.

I can measure tongue weight with a bathroom scale if I want to know what it is. With a boat trailer the ability to adjust weight distribution is quite limited anyway making the weigh safe cost/benefit even lower.

 

[sub]

I suggest a simple non-adjustable hitch (with the appropriate drop). I am using this one. https://www.curtmfg.com/part/45154

An adjustable height hitch is great if you are always hooking up to random trailers of different heights. But if this is a boat/trailer you own, adjustability adds no value. The trailer is going to be the same height every time you tow it. Adjustability just adds extra cost and extra pieces that may cause noise and/or brake without any benefit. Also, you can buy a fixed height hitch in every size you need for less than the cost of an adjustable hitch of similar sturdiness/durability.

Similarly I do not think the built in scale on a weighsafe hitch adds any value when towing a boat that you own. A scale is great for a cargo trailer where the load's weight and position is different every time. But for a boat that you own, if the tongue weight was appropriate when the boat was fitted to the trailer, then it will still be appropriate 50 years later. There is no need to check a scale to confirm that the boat didn't gain 2000 lbs since the last time you towed it.

 

[MejDam]

Hello @Mathme and @MejDam . Thanks for the info on the WeighSafe, I'm considering one of these for my R1S. Did you happen to also get the WeighSafe Locking hitch pin? If so, is it long enough to fit the Rivian receiver tube? WeighSafe indicates it's 3.5 inches, so I'm thinking it should work.

I'm using the Rhino USA Trailer Hitch Lock - Patented 5/8" Locking Receiver Pin for Class V Hitches

 

[Noah Arc]

I'm using the Rhino USA Trailer Hitch Lock - Patented 5/8" Locking Receiver Pin for Class V Hitches

Great info
Highly recommended. I've already had to replace one of my suspension relief valves because of too much weight on the ball.

 

[Noah Arc]

Spend the money on the Weight Safe.
From experience, I tow heavy construction equipment such as scissor lifts and forklifts and its very important not to over load the hitch. I already had to replace one of my air suspension dampeners due to over loading. With a boat its probably different because you cant really change the boat location on the trailer.

 

[jollyroger]

Regarding the locking pins, I had difficulty finding enough room for the chain hookups. And had to resort to the supplied hitch pin. I do remove my hitch when not in use however.

 

[Mathme]

As others have mentioned, a Weigh-safe isn't usually necessary if you're towing your own trailer all the time. I used to have a boat and didn't use one. However, these days my trailer rentals are usually U-Hauls for mulch, rocks, and the occasional towing of a car. In this case, it's good to know that weight back there.

Make sure to get a pin that's strong enough for the weight of the receiver. You also may want to get an anti-rattle clamp for it...otherwise that boat trailer will rattle down the freeway constantly (don't ask me how I know this from my old boats).

 

[MejDam]

Spend the money on the Weight Safe.
From experience, I tow heavy construction equipment such as scissor lifts and forklifts and its very important not to over load the hitch. I already had to replace one of my air suspension dampeners due to over loading. With a boat its probably different because you cant really change the boat location on the trailer.

that's the main reason i use the Rhino USA Trailer Hitch Lock. Allows me the space i need for the safety chains hooks.

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