1997 Fleetwood Tioga Towing Capcity
Hello - I am new to this RV thing. I just bought my first RV - and old 1997 Fleetwood Tioga. After taking my first trip with it this weekend - i am thinking it might be night to tow along my car behin...
Forum Discussion
DrewE wrote:
At any rate, you need to find out the hitch rating for your hitch installation. It almost certainly will not exceed 5000 pounds, but may well be lower. I suspect you would be better off towing a lighter vehicle.
By 1997, I think just about every RV builder was having their chassis stretched by third party providers and the work was being done according to specs issued by Ford. Those specs are intended to preserve both warranty and chassis original ratings.
Is your Ford branded as "E Super Duty?" If so, it's the first incarnation of the E450. If the GVWR in the door jamb label applied by Ford is 14050-pounds, it's E-S-D/E450, and the GCWR (Combined Coach and "Trailer," Jeep in your case) is somewhere around 20000-pounds.
Your HITCH, on the other hand, is likely to be rated 3500-pounds. You can upgrade to a higher rating. I think a standard "E350 Hitch" will fit even if you have a Frame Extension to the rear of the axle. Our hitch's extreme width is 41-1/4". It bolts into the bottom of the frame extension. I'd want an upgrade hitch that either 1. Used, or 2. Totally Avoided, the holes left from the original.
Note that the coach's braking is meant only for ITS max weight, not that weight plus a towed load.
Also, the "Label" rating on a hitch may be reduced for motorhome use. Usually less vertical weight. The pulling weight might stay with the label rating.
