hitches

I have some questions on my hitches. The information on them is this

Weight carring capacity

1) Gross Trailer Weight = 6000
2) Tongue Weight =600

Weight distributing capacity

1) Gross Trailer Weight = 10000
2) Gross Tongue Weight = 1000

What does all that mean anyway. So without a weight distibuting hitch even if I can a class 5 ball hitch I can only pull 6000 lbs with a tongue weight of 600 lbs. Is that right?

I have a horse trailer that has a gtw of 12500 and a tongue weight of 1700. Is it also true that the only way I can pull this is if I get a knew hitch? Probably a class 5 hitch. Thanks

What truck do you have...a hitch is not the problem, trying to pull that much weight with a light truck is.

Believe me no worries about the truck. 1 ton duramax.

That's what I hoped you had and I'm jealous. I have a K1500 and pull a two horse gooseneck trailer around. We bought a trailer without a dressing room to keep the weight down. I wish I had the money for a K2500 duramax or if I hit the lottery a truck like you have.

You'll be fine with the Ball Hitch, but I will tell you that when I changed from that to a Weight Distributing Hitch the towing ride was much better. I tow a 3 horse with rear tack and front dressing room that we pack full for camping. The trailer is a custom made and it is made of ALOT of HEAVY STEEL. I was using a 1500 Z71, gut just bought a 2500HD. Another plus to the Weight Dist. Hitch is the ability to adjust trailer tongue height to make the trailer level while towing.

What are all those numbers for then. According to the numbers I am 2 times the amount over on the gross trailer weight and 3 times the amount over on the tongue weight. There really should be a better system for rating these hitches at cause I am confused about all these numbers. Thanks