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Draw-tite
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Always the correct part
We know our products
Quality Products
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Draw-Tite has designed custom-fit trailer hitches since 1946 and is one of North America's most widely fitted hitch brands. Receiver hitches use solid all-welded construction and low-profile designs that follow modern vehicle contours, install with minimal bumper cutting or drilling, meet or exceed V5 CSA and SAE J684 standards, and carry a limited lifetime warranty.
Draw-Tite has been leading custom-fit trailer hitch design and engineering since its founding in 1946, and it remains one of the most widely fitted hitch brands in North America. The company's stated approach is straightforward: every hitch is tested rigorously so that it performs well beyond published industry standards, a philosophy it markets as Tested Tough. It sits within the Horizon Global towing group alongside Reese, Fulton, Bulldog, Tekonsha, Bargman and Wesbar.
Custom fit is the defining characteristic. Rather than adapting a universal design, Draw-Tite engineers a trailer hitch for a specific make, model and model year, so it bolts to existing frame locations with minimal bumper cutting or drilling. Low-profile designs follow the rear contours and aerodynamic styling of modern vehicles, which matters more than it once did now that rear fascias are shaped and sensor-equipped. Construction is solid all-welded steel for maximum strength, and every hitch meets or exceeds V5 CSA and SAE J684 standards and is backed by a nationwide limited lifetime warranty.
The range spans receiver sizes and classes to suit different loads, from 1-1/4 inch receivers for bike racks, cargo carriers and light trailers up through 2 inch receivers for heavier towing. Front mount hitches add a receiver at the front of the vehicle for winch mounts, snow plows, spare carriers and precise trailer positioning.
The Hidden Hitch series takes concealment further by mounting behind the vehicle's rear fascia, so the vehicle keeps its factory appearance until a removable receiver is fitted. Each is custom designed per make and model for a no-drill installation that does not compromise ground clearance, rated for up to 3,500 pounds gross trailer weight and 350 pounds tongue weight. Matching plug-and-play wiring completes the towing system.
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Yes, the 4494 gooseneck mounting kit is designed for Ford Super Duty F-250, F-350, and F-450 trucks. However, the kit can only be used with a 9468 head. Some trucks may come equipped from the factory with inside frame brackets welded to the frame; if your truck has these, you will not need to install the inside frame brackets provided with the kit.
No. The manual explicitly states: 'This rail kit can be used with a 9468 head only.' You must use the 9468 head with this mounting kit.
The 4494 kit includes fastener kits 4494F and 58534. These contain all the bolts, nuts, and washers needed for installation, including 5/8-11 hex head bolts, carriage bolts, conical washers, flat washers, and hex nuts in the quantities specified in the parts lists for each installation step.
You will need the following wrenches: 3/4", 13/16", 15/16", 10 mm, and 13 mm. For drilling, you will need drill bits in 3/16", 9/16", and a 3-1/2" hole saw. You will also need a drill, torque wrench, center punch, and a tapered alignment pin.
Yes. The first step in frame bracket installation is to lower the spare tire for more space underneath the vehicle. After all installation is complete, you will raise the spare tire back into position.
Yes. You must lower the exhaust system by unbolting the rear exhaust hanger bracket from the frame and loosening the next two forward exhaust hanger brackets. The exhaust will have to be lowered from rearward of the catalytic converter only, and must be supported as required. After installation is complete, you will raise the exhaust system back into position and replace and tighten all bolts that were removed or loosened.
Yes. You must lower the electrical and brake line hanger on the driver side of the frame and allow it to loosely hang in place during installation. After installation is complete, you will raise the brake and electrical hanger back into position and replace and tighten all bolts that were removed or loosened.
All trucks have fuel lines, brake lines, and electrical wiring located along the vehicle frame where the rail kit installs. You must carefully examine the location of these lines and wires before installation and ensure you do not damage them when positioning the hitch components. Be careful when drilling holes, cutting sheet metal, and tightening fasteners to not limit the integrity of these systems.
You must check for adequate clearance between the gooseneck trailer and the rear of the cab and the rear of the truck box before installing the hitch. Failure to ensure adequate clearance could result in collision or damage during towing.
Four frame brackets are installed: one on the outside and inside of the driver side (both #1 brackets), and one on the outside and inside of the passenger side (a #1 bracket on the outside and a #2 bracket on the inside). However, some trucks may come equipped from the factory with inside frame brackets welded to the frame, in which case you will not need to install the inside frame brackets provided with the kit.
Each frame bracket (driver side and passenger side) is loosely attached using: (2) 5/8-11 x 4.25 GR.8 hex head bolts, (2) 5/8" dia. flat washers, (2) 5/8" dia. conical washers, and (2) 5/8-11 GR.8 hex nuts. All fasteners are initially installed loosely and are tightened later in the torque sequence.
Prior to installing the rails, one 5/8-11 x 1.50 Gr.8 carriage bolt must be installed in the square hole in each of the four frame rails (#3, #4, #5, and #6). These four carriage bolts will later be used to install the gooseneck center section by routing them through the four outside holes in the center section.
The four rails are installed in this order: (1) front passenger side rail (#4), (2) rear passenger side rail (#6), (3) front driver side rail (#3), and (4) rear driver side rail (#5). Each rail is placed over the previously installed frame brackets on its respective side. Each rail is loosely attached using (2) 5/8-11 x 1.25" Gr.8 hex head bolts and (2) 5/8" dia. conical washers through the frame bracket and into the threaded holes in the rail. All fasteners remain loose until the final torque sequence.
Yes. The manual states: 'This step may require an extra set of hands, as the gooseneck center section is very heavy and it will be hard to hold the part in place as you attach the washers and nuts to secure the center section in position.' Having an additional person available is strongly recommended.
The center section is attached in two steps. Step 1: From underneath the vehicle, raise the center section up to the bottom side of the rails and route the four carriage bolts previously installed in the rails through the four outside holes in the center section, then secure using (4) 5/8" dia. conical washers and (4) 5/8-11 Gr.8 hex nuts. Step 2: Install (7) 5/8-11 x 2.00 Gr.8 hex bolts, (7) 5/8" dia. flat washers, (7) 5/8" dia. conical washers, and (7) 5/8-11 Gr.8 hex nuts through the rails and center section as shown. A tapered alignment pin may be necessary to properly align the holes and slots.
A 3-1/2" hole saw is used to drill the hole for the gooseneck ball in the truck bed. The dimple in the center flat spot of the truck bed is used as a guide. After drilling, all metal shavings must be cleaned up and the drilled hole must be touched up with paint.
Four holes are drilled in the truck bed for the safety chain U-bolts. First, four pilot holes are drilled with a 3/16" drill bit, then these holes are enlarged to 11/16". The holes must be positioned in a lower bed corrugation to limit the amount of the U-bolt showing above the bed. After drilling, the holes must be touched up with paint.
Using the U-bolt slots as a guide, mark and center punch the position of the four holes from underneath the truck. The holes must be positioned in a lower bed corrugation to limit the amount of the U-bolt showing above the bed (see Figure 5 in the manual). This positioning is critical to ensure the U-bolts do not protrude excessively above the truck bed surface.
The (4) 5/8-11 x 2.00 GR.8 carriage bolts that secure the center section must be torqued to 212 FT-LBS. These are torqued first in the fastener torque sequence.
The (7) 5/8-11 x 2.00 GR.8 hex head bolts that secure the center section must be torqued to 212 FT-LBS. These are torqued second in the fastener torque sequence.
The (8) 5/8-11 x 1.50 GR.8 hex head bolts that secure the rails must be torqued to 150 FT-LBS. These are torqued third in the fastener torque sequence.
The (4) 5/8-11 x 4.250 GR.8 hex head bolts that secure the mounting brackets to the frame must be torqued to 212 FT-LBS. These are torqued fourth and last in the fastener torque sequence.
Torque all fasteners in this order: (1) Center section carriage bolts (4) 5/8-11 x 2.00 GR.8 to 212 FT-LBS, (2) Center section hex bolts (7) 5/8-11 x 2.00 GR.8 to 212 FT-LBS, (3) Rail hex bolts (8) 5/8-11 x 1.50 GR.8 to 150 FT-LBS, (4) Mounting bracket bolts (4) 5/8-11 x 4.250 GR.8 to 212 FT-LBS.
The 5/8-18 lock nuts that secure the safety chain U-bolts must be tightened so that there is a minimum of 3 threads showing past the nuts. The manual does not provide a specific torque value for these lock nuts.
The kit includes a 1" Hi-Rise 2-5/16" dia. Elite gooseneck ball that is installed in the gooseneck sleeve. This ball must be fully locked before towing.
Under no circumstances should you exceed the towing vehicle manufacturer's recommended vehicle towing capacity. This is a critical safety requirement stated multiple times in the manual.
The ball must be fully locked before towing. This is a critical safety requirement that must be verified every time you tow.
Keep the ball and ball sleeve well lubricated. The manual does not specify the type of lubricant or the frequency of lubrication beyond this general requirement.
Periodically check and re-torque all the hitch fasteners. The manual does not specify an exact interval, but recommends periodic inspection and re-torquing to maintain proper fastener tension.
Before each towing operation, check the ball, hitch coupler, safety chains, and other connections for proper operation. Verify that the ball is fully locked. These checks are critical to ensure safe towing.
Yes, the 4494 gooseneck mounting kit is designed for Ford Super Duty F-250, F-350, and F-450 trucks and must be used with a 9468 head only.
You will need wrenches (3/4", 13/16", 15/16", 10 mm, 13 mm), drill bits (3/16", 9/16", 3-1/2" hole saw), a drill, torque wrench, center punch, and a tapered alignment pin. Fastener kits 4494F and 58534 are included.
Yes. You must lower the spare tire, exhaust system (from rearward of the catalytic converter), and the electrical/brake line hanger on the driver side. All are raised back into position after installation.
Yes. You must drill a 3-1/2" hole in the truck bed for the gooseneck ball, and four holes (pilot holes with 3/16" bit, enlarged to 11/16") in the truck bed for the safety chain U-bolts. All drilled holes must be touched up with paint.
Center section carriage bolts and hex bolts: 212 FT-LBS. Rail hex bolts: 150 FT-LBS. Mounting bracket bolts: 212 FT-LBS. Safety chain U-bolt lock nuts: tighten until minimum 3 threads show past the nuts (no specific torque value provided).
Do not exceed the vehicle manufacturer's recommended towing capacity. The gooseneck ball must be fully locked before towing. Check the ball, hitch coupler, safety chains, and other connections for proper operation every time you tow.
Keep the ball and ball sleeve well lubricated. Periodically check and re-torque all hitch fasteners. Check the ball, hitch coupler, safety chains, and other connections for proper operation every time you tow.
| Part Number | Description | Capacity (lbs.) | Pin Capacity (lbs.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9485 | RAM Hitch Head (Does Not Require Rail Kit) |
20,000 | 5,000 |
| 9466 | RAM 3500 Hitch Head | 30,000 | 7,500 |
| 9467 | RAM 2500 Hitch Head | 20,000 | 5,000 |
| 9468 | Ford Super Duty Hitch Head | 32,500 | 7,500 |
| 9486 | Wide Hitch Head | 30,000 | 7,500 |
| 9487 | Wide Hitch Head | 30,000 | 7,500 |
| 9488 | Narrow Hitch Head | 30,000 | 7,500 |
| Replacement Parts | |||
| 58312 | Gooseneck Head U-Bolt Kit | ||
| 19309 | 2-5/16 in. Hitch Ball | ||
| 19308 | 2-5/16 in. Hitch Ball with 5 in. Offset | ||
Matt
Ordered online. Shipment arrived on time and with all the correct parts. Great customer service and friendly staff. Also, pricing was great!
May 22, 2023
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