Safety Hitch + Towing Vehicle Variety?

[zoemorn]

I heard about the Safety Hitch product and it got me to thinking about alternatives to the traditional truck + 5th wheel combination.

What about an SUV + 5th wheel (using the safety hitch) - are there even SUV's available that would have the towing capacity?

[wa8yxm]

Depends on who you ask.. According to the dealer "NO PROBLEM" towing that...

But then Benny Hill filmed a skit where the car owner believed that dealer..

(Suffice to say the car was NOT up to the job)

Since I can get the very same engine in an SUV (Heck a motorcycle) that I have in my Motor home. I would suspect that yes,, There are SUV's that can tow a 5-er with that hitch..

Would I wish to drive one...

NO!!!!!!!!!

[Mekanic]

I do NOT like the looks of that thing. It just adds way to many possible failure points.
Of course they show the Fords biggest SUV towing it. Many other SUVs could use it.
It is a crutch fix for not using right tool for the job.
I'll give em credit for one thing, they know marketing. "Its all about saftey" !?!?

[zoemorn]

I definitely thought it was a crazy looking contraption too, but I've never towed anything but a boat, so wanted other 'sets of eyes' to lend their opinion.
I originally heard about it via this family's blogsite Top 10 Questions We Get About the Safety Hitch

They seemed to really like it, so it got me to thinking. And the testimonials page on the mfg site have some compelling stories as well (of course only positive reviews would be listed). but again, i'm not in the know enough to make a very good determination of if its a worthwhile product.

[CoachDJS]

I would think like posted earlier a Ford Excursion with the diesel would be up to it. That being said, I don't want to do it. Does the thing have some kind of locking mechanism that keeps it straight? I would think if you had to back in it might be interesting.

[CoachDJS]

Never mind. Read the top 10 things and it does lock into place.

[KTM Guy]

I don't like the looks of it either, but I can't think of why it wouldn't be great. Trailer weight ratings for the tow vehicle might be an issue. Mine, for instance, is rated to tow 15,000 lbs with a 5th-wheel hitch, but only 12,000 lbs with receiver hitch. Maybe that rating could increase with this unit's latch up. Not sure. You might give up some towing capacity.